We will create or own hell

Many people believe that God alone determines our future in heaven or hell, but they forget we are coworkers with God. How we will ultimately experience heaven, the presence of God, will be determined by how our hearts are prepared to experience His love. In other words, though we will all find ourselves in heaven, if our hearts are not in the right place, we will create our own hell.

Making a Name for Yourself

We often hear the expression “making a name for yourself” or some variation of it when speaking about how we interact with society. We are surrounded by names. Streets, buildings, rivers, mountains, even cities and counties often bear the name of someone famous from history. It has long been a tradition of humanity to leave behind some sort of legacy for future generations to remember us by. Some even suggest this trend is linked to our genetic footprint that we feel compelled to spread.

This is why the Gospel lesson today comes as a shock. The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16.19-31) turns over the logic we tend to consider when we speak of legacies. We hear about “a certain rich man” who died and was tortured in heaven. We don’t know his name. The only legacy he left behind was to say, “Some rich man used to live here and then he died.” How sad for him. He spent his entire life gathering wealth, living a life of luxury in a home filled with servants, and we never get to know his name.

On the contrary we hear a man named Lazarus who spent his life begging for food on the very doorstep of this rich man. In life he was passed by, probably often being stepped over as people were entering the rich man’s house. Yet is heaven everyone knows his name. He is being welcomed and comforted by God. At his death the angels escorted him directly to God’s loving embrace.

In these two examples we hear a warning from our Lord about what heaven is going to be like. In a series of parables, Jesus reveals to us the condition of our hearts and how we might be expected to experience heaven. In the case of the rich man who was preoccupied with making a name for himself during life, he was tormented as an unknown being forced to watch Lazarus being comforted by God. In Lazarus’ case, while he was unknown and suffered in life, in heaven everyone knew his name. He was welcomed, embraced, and comforted by God.

If we spend life focused on making a name for ourselves rather than focusing on the needs of others, we will likely experience heaven as torment. If we find it difficult to watch others honored and blessed while we struggle, we will likely experience heaven as torment. We will likely be unknown.

The Need for Patience and Humility

In the story of two miracles told in the Gospel of Luke 8.41-56, we hear of the healing of the woman with the flow of blood and the raising of Jairus’ daughter. In both cases we are taught the great gift of patience and humility. They are companions as we can’t have patience without humility. We will never be humble if we can’t be patient. But when we embrace both patience and humility we can be healed by God.

Daily Demands vs Daily Prayers

Today’s Gospel reading is a consumer reports nightmare. It is filled with false advertising and lost promises. That is, if you are reading from a consumer point of view. Here is the reading:

The Lord said to his disciples, "Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone; or if he asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11.9-13)

If we are honest with ourselves, we ask and it is not given, we seek and we do not find, we knock and the door we really want rarely ever opens. So how do we justify today’s reading with how we actually experience God’s responses to our daily list of demands?

Just a few verses before this passage, our Lord lays out for us the “Lord’s Prayer” as the way to pray. His followers begged Him, “"Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples." (Luke 11.1) In this prayer, which the Apostles (see Didache) commanded that we should prayer three times per day, we find the very simply yet often overlooked phrase “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” In this context then we should understand today’s reading. IF we are praying the Lord’s prayer, it goes to prove we will ask and receive, seek and find, knock and find the open door.

There is only one problem. Too often we offer God our daily demands rather than our daily prayers. Hers is what Saint James had to say, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” (James 4.3-4) If we ask and not receive, we have asked for the wrong thing.

Today’s reading isn’t false advertising because we aren’t consumers. We are children of God. We don’t (or at least we shouldn’t) view the Church or God as something that we are choosing from a list of menu items. The Church is the way of life established by God to help us in our journey of theosis. If we desire to be united to Him, then we will dump our demands in favor of our prayers.

Playing with Demons

When we are faced with temptations and struggles that seem to overwhelm us, we can find comfort knowing that demons have no power over us without God’s permission. There is once exception when we give them permission through our love for sinful living or such boldness as playing with demons.

The Garden of our Hearts

In the Parable of the Sower found in Luke 8.5-15, our Lord explains His parable so we can know the mysteries of God. We are the soil that receives the word of God in our hearts, and we are the fruit and seeds that He sends out into the world in order to produce even more fruit for the glory of God. But like any garden soil needs constant attention and work to remain fertile, our hearts need constant work through prayer, fasting, almsgiving and the sacramental life of the Church to become and ultimately remain rich fertile soil.

The Comfort of God’s Presence

Just when we think we are all alone and have no place to turn, God is there for our comfort and peace. As revealed in the raising of the widow’s son (see Luke 7.11-16) God is always able to comfort our heart when no other comfort is possible. Through His physical touch and presence, His power is enough to defeat death and any other pain that troubles our heart. He has promised to be with us in His Church through Holy Communion. Do you need comfort? Come into the Church and find God’s presence.

Why do you care?

Yesterday I awoke to my social media news feed overtaken by prayers and well wishes for the survivors of the tragic shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada, and I asked myself, “Do these people really care?” Now before you jump all over me for the question hear me out…

When I was a newly ordained priest serving as an assistant to a senior priest who was mentoring me, a woman I knew was going through a divorce. I asked my mentor priest if I should call her? He asked, “Why do you care?” I was shocked at his question! What did he mean, why do I care? He explained, but before he did he asked another question. “When was the last time you called her to see how she was doing?” Indeed, I hadn’t. “So why do you care now suddenly that she is going through a divorce? Is it because you want to be known as the priest who cares? If that is why you suddenly care enough to call, you shouldn’t. I’m her priest, you’re not.” He went on to explain that if I had been her priest and discovered a difficult time, I should in fact call and follow up, but never just because I wanted to be known as the priest who cares. I have taken that bitter pill of advice with me in my priestly journey every day since.

So back to my question. Why do people on social media insist on posting “Prayers for….” memes every time there is a tragedy. Are the really praying? Do they really care, or are they just wanting to be known as the people who care? Has our caring become politicized?  I don’t recall my news feed filled “Prayers for…” during other events that I would consider tragedies. I understand the conversation about the tragedy and how our society may or may not be going over the deep end, but if as many people posted that they were praying, were really praying, I suspect our society would be in a different state than it is today.

Next time you are tempted to post a “Prayers for…” meme, ask yourself why you care? If you really care, pray and move on. It doesn’t really matter what you post on social media.

Everyone is Worthy of Mercy and Love

It is easy to love those who love us back, but even sinners do the same. This is reminder from Christ in the Gospel on the Second Sunday of Luke. (see Luke 6.31-36) As Christians we are called to higher form of love than what is easy in the world. We are called to love whether or not someone loves us back. We are called to love whether or not someone is nice to us. We are called to love even our enemies, because everyone is worthy of mercy and love.

Delayed Reward

Last week I posted a blog titled “Fair Weather Christian” in which I wrote out our fallen human tendency to think God doesn’t answer our prayer because we don’t get what we wanted. Today I have another challenge. In today’s reading from Luke (you can read it below) Christ makes a clear indication that our reward for following Him and living the life He desires for us, will not be in this life. Beware…..there are many who claim that the Gospel promises earthly blessings. The so-called Prosperity Gospel has become hugely popular exactly because of truths of this delayed reward. Our selfish ego demands immediate pleasure, and our society continues to reinforce instant gratification. Children are given stars and applause at even the smallest indication of success at the very moment.

So if you are finding that living the Christian life has become difficult, if you have found it to be filled with struggle, if you have realized the reward never seems to come, do not fear. “Your reward is great in heaven.” Just another example of ‘deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Me.” (Mark 8.34)

At that time, Jesus stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came forth from him and healed them all. And he lifted up his eyes on His disciples, and said: "Blessed are you poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God. Blessed are you that hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you that weep now, for you shall laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, on account of the Son of man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven." (Luke 6.17-23)

Don’t Be a Pretender

I meet many people who claim to be Orthodox Christian, yet do not attend Divine Liturgy at all or rarely. They fast, they say their prayers, they even light candles in churches and chapels, but they can’t remember the last time they received Holy Communion. I often wonder why someone who go through all the motions of being Orthodox, even having elaborate home altars with oils and other holy items for veneration. Consider today’s Gospel reading from Luke…

At that time, the Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, "Why do the disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink?" And Jesus said to them, "Can you make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days." He told them a parable also: "No one tears a piece from a new garment and puts it upon an old garment; if he does, he will tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; if he does, the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. And no one after drinking old wine desires new; for he says, 'The old is better.'" (Luke 5.33-39)

Christ is reminding us that living in communion with Him is the reason we fast and pray and do all the other things we do as Orthodox Christian. I’m sure you’ve heard people say, “Fasting without prayer is a diet.” This is true, but let’s go a step further….. “Orthodox practices without Holy Communion is just pretend.” Don’t be a pretender. Call your spiritual father today to schedule for Holy Confession and get back on track to Live A New Life IN Christ.

Where were you when Jesus was crucified?

Today the Church celebrates the memory of Saint John the Theologian. When Christ was still hanging on the Cross, He turned to John and pointed to the Theotokos. “Behold your mother!" And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.” (John 19.26) John the Theologian was one of the inner circle among the Disciples. He was present at the Transfiguration and was considered one of Christ’s closest friends. He was also the only one of the men disciples who had the courage to stay at the Cross until the very end. The remainder had fled for fear. It is his eyewitness the Church depends upon for the events that day.

He wrote the Gospel of John and several letters to the global church. He finished his gospel account with these words, “This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.” (John 21.24-25)

Today we honor the man who was our eyes and ears at the events that are our salvation, and we are thankful. 

Healing is for repentance

One time I attended a special roundtable discussion with several nondenominational clergy to discuss the issue of hospital ministry. We were asked, “Who wouldn’t visit a hospital and NOT pray for healing?” We do it all the time. We pray for others to be healed from sickness. Being totally honest I thought the question was sort of short-sighted, so I answered, “I don’t.”

What I meant was that we as Orthodox Christians don’t merely pray for healing, but we pray that our friends and family will be healed so they can have time for repentance. If our prayer is merely for physical healing, it will be a waste of time. In today’s Gospel, Jesus healed Saint Peter’s mother-in-law, (Luke 4.38-39) who once she was healed immediately began to serve Him. In fact, at each healing we read about in the Scriptures, it is followed the worship of God and a life of repentance. Any other healing is a waste of time.

Bring in the Catch

When considering the Gospel story of the calling of the Disciples as told in Luke 5.1-11, we must remember the Lord is calling us to go out and fill the Church with faithful. Unfortunately, many times we are too busy with our own agenda and cannot recognize Christ when we hear Him calling us. If could only engage the life of the Church so we could recognize God when we meet Him. Then we will be willing to leave everything behind and follow Christ.

 

Drop Everything

In today’s world our lives are filled with countless opportunities to take up our time with household chores and projects at work. From the moment we awake our mind races from task to task taking us from place to place. We rest only for the momentary chance of eating a few bites of food to fuel another few hours of productivity. And if we dare to take a few hours away from work, we are accused of being lazy and not accomplishing up to our potential.

The reality of busy lives filled with work is nothing new. Even in time of Christ, days were filled with work from sunup to sundown, and sometimes even overnight. The day was for work. That is what makes the story of the calling of the first Disciples so extraordinary. Despite having worked all night long, and though they were mending their nets to prepare for the next day, when Jesus Christ called and said, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch,” (Luke 5.4) Simon and his partners were willing to shove off and give Christ a chance.

It wasn’t without reason, though, since they had prepared with souls to hear His word. We know this from Simon’s answer, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” (Luke 5.5) He called Him Master because they had prepared their heart to hear His word. After a catch that almost sank their boat, they were willing to drop everything and follow Him, ultimately to their death.

We can learn something from this story. The Disciples would never have trusted Christ’s invitation unless they had first prepared their soul to hear His word. The story isn’t meant to lead us to believe that God merely wants our business careers to excel beyond our wildest dreams. The story is about building the Church with faithful disciples who, after preparing their souls to hear the Word of God, are willing to trust Him enough to make following Him a priority greater than anything that occupies their life.

Jesus said to these new disciples, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men” (Luke 5.10) If we are willing to prepare our souls to hear His invitation, and trust where He sends us, our Cathedral will be filled to overflowing, just as their boats were with fish. Are you willing to drop everything and give it a try?

Trust Has Consequences

When Archangel Gabriel gave word to Zacharias that his wife Elizabeth who was in old age would bear a son, he stood in disbelief. He found it impossible that God would be able to reverse the sterility of her Elizabeth’s womb. As a result of his disbelief, he was made mute until the birth of his son. You can read the entire account of the conception of Saint John the Baptist below.

The point I wish to make today is that when we find it difficult to trust the promise of God, there are consequences that we may find difficult to bear. For Zacharias the consequence was not being able to speak, but in his day, this was understood as a sign from God. For most of us the consequence of not trusting God is often subtler than losing our ability to speak. More often than not our consequence is found in the way of increased struggle.

When we pursue a life that God does not desire for us, we will find increased struggle. We may find that “things just don’t work like we expect them to,” when we don’t trust God’s promise. We know from the entire story of Zacharias and Elizabeth, that he only received his voice back once he obeyed the will of God. Once Zacharias named his son, John, his voice returned and he glorified God. If you find that things just are not working as they should, maybe you are in that place of disobedience. Maybe it is time to call your spiritual father for confession, and trust in God’s promise. Once you follow God’s will, your voice will return.

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years. So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. "And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. "For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. "And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. "He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." And Zacharias said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years." And the angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. "But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time." And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless. And so it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, "Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people." (Luke 1.5-25)

Fair Weather Christian

Today’s Gospel lesson reminds of a constant frustration I have with most every Christian I meet. We all pray at some time for something, especially when we feel the need is great. When God has granted our request we say, “God answered my prayers.” This ALWAYS means God said ‘yes’ to our request. I have NEVER (if I have I truly cannot remember when) met a Christian who said God had answered a prayer when the answer was no. We have come to believe the only answered prayers are those for which God says ‘yes’ to our request.

Then there is today’s Gospel. Here is the entire passage from Luke 4.22-30…

So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, "Is this not Joseph's son?" He said to them, "You will surely say this proverb to Me, 'Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in Your country.' "Then He said, "Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country. "But I tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout all the land; "but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. "And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian." So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff. Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way.

Jesus had just finished reading from the Old Testament (see Luke 4.16-22) after which the crowd was really excited. He had just promised that people would be healed and slaves would be set free. Now today we hear “Many lepers were in Israel…and none of them was cleansed except Naaman,” so they cast Him out of the city. They were willing to love God only so long as they believed they were going to get from Him what they wanted.

It is a shame when we act the same way, but we just pretend God didn’t answer our prayers. It sooths our soul to believe He would have said yes if He had answered. The truth is God always answers prayers. It is just that sometimes the answer is ‘no’ and other times the answer is ‘not yet’ or ‘we’ll see what happens.’ Don’t be a fair weather Christian thanking God only for ‘yes’ answers. Instead trust that when He says, ‘no,’ it is because He knows better than you, that what you are asking for is either not good for you, or may even be dangerous.

The Christian Life Attracts Attention!

Sometimes I wonder why people don’t respond to the Church’s invitation. The Gospel is a message of freedom and peace, not slavery and anxiety. So why are so many Christians miserable? Citing the Old Testament Jesus said, “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD." (Luke 4.17-18) Who wouldn’t want the things Jesus offers in today’s Gospel?

Who do you know that is sick and doesn’t want to be healed?

Who do you know that is a slave and doesn’t want to be free?

Who do you know that is blind and doesn’t want to see?

If you are like me, I don’t know anyone who would not welcome the good news of today’s Gospel. There is only one problem…..most of us Christians don’t actually live as if this is good news.

Many would rather their soul be sick than choose to confess their sins to their spiritual father.

Many would rather remain a slave to material comforts than choose to live simple lives.

Many would rather not see their own sin than choose repentance and the holy life.

It is no wonder so many who need the Church walk by every day without ever walking in her doors. In the ancient Church lives were changed by the Gospel of Christ. Early believers left sinful lifestyles for the holy life. Early believers opened their eyes to the slavery of sin and freed themselves in Christ. The new life, The Way as it became known, was attractive to others who asked how they could find the same peace these strange Christians seemed to find. The early Church lived the good news and it attracted attention!

God Never Promised a Rose Garden

Too often I hear and read comments from Christian leaders of various disciplines, including within the Church, that if only we would pray more and listen to our hearts more, God would take away the struggle that we are encountering. We are constantly being promised that our Christian lives will be filled with blessings rather than pain, if only we believed, if only we “claimed the Lord as our Savior”, but is that really what God prepares us for?

In today’s Gospel reading the Lord reminds us that life will be a struggle. “You will be delivered by even by parents and brothers and kinsmen and friends; and some of you they will put to death.” (Luke 21.16) If that isn’t bad enough, the Lord says, “You will be hated by all for my name’s sake.” (Luke 21.17) This is in direct conflict with the many Christian leaders who promise a life of prosperity and happiness.

I’m not surprised that many preach the prosperity gospel considering that our fallen human condition is self-absorbed and ego-driven. Nobody desires to suffer. Nobody enjoys being hated. Nobody considers it a privilege to shunned by family members. It should come as no surprise that churches that preach prosperity and comfort are growing and expanding, while churches that preach a life of struggle and spiritual discipline are hovering below the radar barely known by the neighbors one block away.

But life isn’t about prosperity, and churches aren’t about comfort. They are about preparing our entire being (body and soul – see Genesis 2.7) to live eternally united to God. “But not a hair on your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives.” (Luke 21.18-19) So bring on the world and all its challenges. The Orthodox Christian way of life has a cure for every pain and wound of life. It won’t always be easy, but it will always lead to God.

The Fruit of the Church is Making Disciples

Christ tells a story of a vineyard which is lent out to workers. Unfortunately for the workers, when they tried to keep the fruit of the vineyard to themselves, the master of the vineyard took it away from them and gave it to other workers. Of course, it isn’t a vineyard the Lord is speaking about. The vineyard is the Church, and we will all be called to account for the fruit of the Church.