Blessed are Those who hear the word of God and keep it!

Sometimes, it isn’t the words we hear which become the lesson from the Lord, but what we do with those words. September 8^th EVERY year is the commemoration of the Nativity of the Theotokos, one of the Great Feasts of the Church. In fact, it is the first great feast of the New Year which should set the tone for our annual spiritual journey. During this Feast, we normally hear the Gospel lesson of “Martha and Mary” found in the Gospel According to Luke, (Luke 10.38-41, 11.27-28) in which Jesus direct our attention TWICE to the hearing of the Word of God.

Today, tough, is different in the Church calendar, because it is also the Sunday before the Feast of the Cross, the second Great Feast of the Church celebrated on September 14^th. On this day the Church prescribes the Gospel According to John, in which we hear the most quoted passage of Scripture, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3.16)

It isn’t by chance the readings are established in this way. On the Feast of the Theotokos, Jesus reminds us that while honoring His Mother is good, it is more blessed to hear His word and keep it. The truth of the Cross of Christ, and it’s life-giving reality in the salvation of the entire world, must never be passed over. “For God did not come into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3.17)

What is the Word we hear? “He who believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3.15) Now you have heard the Word; it’s time to begin keeping it!

Weathering the Storms of Life

Trusting in God doesn’t mean we don’t encounter struggle. In the darkest moments of life, the Lord is present to weather the storm with us, but He will not always calm the storm. There will be times when the storms of life will crash down upon us even when we are focused intently upon Christ. It requires endurance to keep our focus on Christ in the midst of the storm. God doesn’t guarantee us a struggle-free life; He guarantees us the necessities of life. When times are really tough, we are tempted to dwell upon how difficult the storm is, rather than how God is guiding us through the storm. That’s when we tend to sink, and when we need endurance to weather out the storm with God holding our hand.

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Protecting Our Children

The coming of September signifies two realities; summer is over and school is beginning. Every family with children knows the importance of supplying children with the proper tools for learning. We drive from store to store searching out and purchasing the best school supplies we can afford so that our children will have the best advantages to learn. We then send our children off to school proud, and rightly so, that we have provided an education for our children.

September looks a bit different from a child’s point of view. Summer is over and school is beginning is like saying fun is dead and torture has begun. From an early age we tend to dread going to school, and look ahead to the next summer when school is over. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised when, as adults, we don’t like even the idea of sitting down and learning something, let alone going to school.

Unfortunately, our dislike for school has affected the way we learn and practice our Faith. We know intuitively, as the old Greek saying goes, “Γηράσκω αιεί παν δισασκόμενος” which means, “I grow old always being taught.” So why is it, when it comes to our Faith in Jesus Christ, we act as if we know all there is to know? Why is it, we DON’T grow old always being taught in our Faith?

We have accepted a poor understanding that, when it comes to Church, learning is for children. This was never the understanding in the ancient Church. Adults were always expected to take time to learn and read about the beauty of God’s promise and the Orthodox way of life, so they could raise their children to follow in their footsteps. In 21^st Century America, this has never been more important than it is NOW. Here are some Faith issues our children are facing at school right now…

·         It doesn’t matter where you go to Church, God is everywhere

·         You shouldn’t have to fast, Jesus ended all those rules

·         You’re not supposed to pray to idols (and they’re talking about Holy Icons)

·         Jesus died on the Cross to pay the penalty of our sins

·         You shouldn’t be baptized unless you are old enough to accept Jesus for yourself

·         If you were baptized as a baby, you weren’t saved

·         You shouldn’t pray to Saints

In EVERY ONE of these issues, our children’s friends (and other adults) are telling them the Orthodox Church is wrong! What are you going to say when your children tell you the Orthodox Church is wrong? How can we protect our children if we don’t continue to learn? Here’s a starting point:

X  Attending Bible Study weekly

X  Read from the Bible daily (let your children see you reading, it helps)

X  Arrive to Church ON TIME so you can hear the Holy Scriptures and sermon

X  Buy a book from the Mount Tabor Bookstore and read more about the Orthodox Faith

X  Read the lives of the Saints

X  Fast every Wednesday and Friday

X  Take time to understand what the Church actually teaches about issues

X  Call me and we can always find time to sit and chat

By all means…..it’s ok to tell your children their friends are wrong and the Church is correct!

For Whom the Bell Tolls?... Wait....Did I just hear bells?

As I do many mornings, I entered the Church and prepared for our morning prayers (Orthros). According to tradition, I ring the Church bells 15 minutes before services and again just as I am beginning. I do this EVERY service, but this morning someone took notice.

About half-way through the Orthros (30 minutes in total) I turned around and there was a young man in the Church prayer and doing his cross PROPERLY. I must admit I was taken aback since most mornings I am by myself unless Orthros will be followed by Divine Liturgy that particular day. So today it was a pleasant surprise because not only was there a young man praying in Church, it was a young man whom I had not yet met. Was he new to Florence? I have been the priest in this small southern town for just over five years, so I have met just about everyone who is Orthodox, and many of our non-Orthodox neighbors.

At the end of Orthros, I had the blessing to speak with this young man. “Have we met?”

“No,” he said. “I was in my home and heard the bells.”

He and his wife had just moved to Florence two weeks ago. They live across the street in an apartment complex and knew the Church was here, but hadn’t been to Church yet. In fact they did come to the Church on August 15^th, but since we had an evening Liturgy the night before, they didn’t find anyone at the Church.  This morning, while enjoying a cup of coffee, he heard the Church bells and took notice. He took advantage of the hearing the bells and came to Church. I suppose the bells tolled for him today.

It isn’t an accident that Churches ring bells before, during and after services. Our Church temples exist as physical reminders of God’s presence in a neighborhood, and the ringing of bells often strikes to the core of our heart calling us back to Christ. Of course, it is up to us to act on the call.

The next time you hear Church bells ringing, go find them and offer a prayer of thanks that God has allowed you to be reminded of His presence.

Don’t Let Your Weakness Get in God’s Way

We all have them and we know it. We rarely admit it, but we all know there are days when we are just too weak to trust in God’s promise. And what is His promise? So long as we trust in Him and bring to Him our resources for His ministry, we will always have enough for our needs. And what are our needs? God promises we will have enough BASIC food, BASIC clothing, and BASIC shelter. When it comes to the rest of our resources, we have to trust God ENOUGH and allow Him to use our resources for His ministry. If we allow our weakness to get in the way, people go hungry and Churches are unable to continue to mission Christ began just two thousand years ago.

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When God is Involved, Miracles Can Happen

The day was late and the people were hungry. The group leader only had enough food for the smallest group out of the bunch. There was NEVER going to be enough food to feed everyone. Some suggested sending everybody to find their own food so the few leaders could eat. What did the leader do?

He said, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” (Matthew 14.16)

In the face of this wild and crazy idea that more than five thousand people would have enough to eat, rather than feeling depressed about what would NEVER happen, the team chose to believe in what COULD happen. “Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass.” (Matthew 14.19) Ultimately a few fish and a couple loaves of bread fed more than five thousand people.

If the team had decided it was impossible, then nobody would have eaten that day. If the team had chosen to dwell on the negative, God’s grace would never have been revealed that day. It was only when the team CHOSE to allow God’s grace to work in their lives that miracles were able to happen.

Something to think about…

What Happens When We Don’t Like Our Neighbors?

It happens to all of us. Someone moves in next door and we don’t approve of their behavior. A business opens next door and we believe their behavior doesn’t belong in our neighborhood. In our free pluralistic society, it happens more often than in past homogenous societies, but our response must always be the same. We must never allow our blindness to keep us from expressing love for our neighbors. We must never forget that our lives are no less sinful than our neighbors’. God calls us to open our eyes to our sinfulness and repent from our sinful way of life, rather than to waste time focusing on the sins of others.

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What Happens When the Truth Torments Us?

Fast every Wednesday and Friday. Tithe to the Church. Come for Holy Confession. Attend Church regularly. Receive Holy Communion. You can’t marry that person. You can’t live like this, and you can’t do that. What happens when the truth of the Church torments us? We either ignore the Church to ease the pain or we beg the Church to stop tormenting us. “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?” (Matthew 8.23) These were the words of demons but they can easily become our own words when our life doesn’t match with how God wants us to live. Rather than begging God to leave you alone, why not run to Him and tell the demons to leave you alone? Let the demons bother the pigs; you have a restored life in Christ waiting for you.

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The Best Words are VERBS!

The Bible is filled with words; small ones and big ones, but the best words are verbs. A sentence is not complete without a verb, and neither is the Christian life. God is a God of ACTION and He calls us to put our gifts to use and become Christians of ACTION. Saint Paul said, “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them.” (Romans 12.6) Jesus didn’t just sit in heaven and watch us, and we cannot just sit in Church watching Him.

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The Bible is Filled with Words

We often think of the Bible as a book about Jesus Christ and His divine plan for our salvation. A book is made up of chapters. Chapters are made up of pages. Pages are filled with words, small words and long words. Every student of the Bible spends a lifetime discovering what those words mean and if they have meaning in life today. There are many types of words: nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections. The Bible has them all! In my office, I even have a book called a “concordance” which lists EVERY word in the entire Bible and where each particular words exists, listed by Book.Chapter,Verse. It’s no wonder that the Bible is called “The Word of God.”

Jesus is the Word of God. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1.1) So, it should be of no surprise that we equate the Bible with Jesus Himself. In fact the Bible is considered an Icon of Jesus Christ and treated with respect and reverence and it is even venerated as Holy. There is something special about the words of the Bible and how they relate to the Word of God. God CAME and LIVED among His people and we SAW Him. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory.” (John 1.14) Jesus didn’t remain in Heaven simply looking at His people; He ACTED upon His love by BECOMING.

If we are going to do any honor to God in our understanding of the Bible, His Word, then we should not simply remain in our pews watching God in the Altar. We should ACT and BECOME Christians. Acting and becoming requires ACTION VERBS. Just as a sentence requires a verb to be a complete sentence, a Christian life requires ACTION verbs to be complete.

What Happens When the Truth Torments Us?

Fast every Wednesday and Friday. Tithe to the Church. Come for Holy Confession. Attend Church regularly. Receive Holy Communion. You can’t marry that person. You can’t live like this, and you can’t do that. What happens when the truth of the Church torments us? We either ignore the Church to ease the pain or we beg the Church to stop tormenting us. “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?” (Matthew 8.23) These were the words of demons but they can easily become our own words when our life doesn’t match with how God wants us to live. Rather than begging God to leave you alone, why not run to Him and tell the demons to leave you alone? Let the demons bother the pigs; you have a restored life in Christ waiting for you.

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Are Ghosts Real?

I am asked occasionally about what the Church thinks of ghosts and other wandering spirits.  Here are some thoughts from St John Chrysostom on the point.

But what can be the reason that they love also to dwell in the tombs? They would fain suggest to the multitude a pernicious opinion, as though the souls of the dead become demons, which God forbid we should ever admit into our conception. But what then will you say, one may ask, when many of the sorcerers take children and slaythem, in order to have the soul afterwards to assist them? Why, whence is this evident? For of their slaying them, indeed, many tell us, but as to the souls of the slain being with them, whence do you know it, I pray you? The possessed themselves, it is replied, cry out, I am the soul of such a one. But this too is a kind of stage-play, anddevilish deceit. For it is not the spirit of the dead that cries out, but the evil spirit that feigns these things in order to deceive the hearers. For if it were possible for a soul to enter into the substance of an evil spirit, much more into its own body.And besides, it stands not to reason that the injured soul should co-operate with the wrong-doer, or that a man should be able to change an incorporeal power into another substance. For if in bodies this were impossible, and one could not make a man's body become that of an ass; much more were this impossible in the invisible soul; neither could one transform it into the substance of an evil spirit. So that these are the sayings of besotted old wives, and spectres to frighten children.Nor indeed is it possible for a soul, torn away from the body, to wander here any more. For the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God; Wisdom 3:1 and if of the righteous, then those children's souls also; for neither are they wicked: and the souls too of sinners are straightway led away hence. And it is evident from Lazarus and therich man; and elsewhere too Christ says, This day they require your soul of you. Luke 12:20 And it may not be that a soul, when it is gone forth from the body, should wander here; nor is the reason hard to see. For if we, going about on the earth which is familiar and well known to us, being encompassed with a body, when we are journeying in a strange road, know not which way to go unless we have some one to lead us; how should the soul, being rent away from the body, and having gone out from all her accustomed region, know where to walk without one to show her the way?And from many other things too one might perceive, that it is not possible for a disembodied soul to remain here. For both Stephen says, Receive my spirit; Acts 7:59 and Paul, To depart and to be with Christ is far better;Philippians 1:23 and of the patriarch too the Scripture says, that he was gathered unto his fathers, being cherished in a good old age. And as to the proof, that neither can the souls of sinners continue here; hear the rich man making much entreaty for this, and not obtaining it; since had it been at all possible, he would have come, and have told what had come to pass there. Luke 16:27-28 Whence it is evident that after their departure hence our souls are led away into some place, having no more power of themselves to come back again, but awaiting that dreadful day. (Homily 28 on The Gospel of Matthew)

I think he says it pretty clearly. Although there are examples of thr Saints appearing and assisting us, they never are scary nor mischievous.  If the sight frightens us, that should  be a good indication that it is a demon. Of course, there are also stories of demons appearing as IF they are "good angels" just to deceive us. In these cases it is imperative that we fight the temptation to listen to these demons in disguise. They should be tested with prayer and the power of the Holy Cross.

To say the least, when faced with ANY appearance of angels, we should test them by calling on the name of the Holy Trinity and "crossing ourselves" asking for God's protection. These demons can ONLY harm us if we or God allow them, and unless you are Job, it is doubtful God will allow them. Chrysostom was preaching on a larger story of demons as found in Matthew 8.22-34 where they couldn't even enter pigs without God's permission.

When in doubt.....PRAY PRAY PRAY!

The Truth will set you free. Christ is the TRUTH. Be free in Christ rather than your own truth.

It never ceases to amaze me how people use the expression "The truth will set you free," while ignoring how their particular truth differs from history. If you have noticed how many "versions" of the truth exist about Christ, you MUST read this book. It is impossible for 25,000+ denominations, each expressing a different truth about Christ, to all be correct. This book does an excellent job of discovering the journey of seeking the truth by first admitting YOUR truth might be the one that's wrong. 

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What Does God Have to Do with Anything Anyway?

There are many types of demons in our life, not always revealing themselves as from Satan. Some demons grow from within our hearts, nurtured by our ego and selfish drive for power and glorification. These particular demons are often the hardest to remove from our lives simply because we don’t recognize them as demons nor the struggle they create.

Think of a time in your life when you worked really diligently toward the completion of a difficult task. You spent many hours of pondering the perfect solution calling upon your vast experience. You tested different theories against your ideas and developed just the right combination of “mind over matter” and discovered that “you knew the answer all along,” but just had to allow your brain to do the thinking. Then, once the task was completed successfully, you sat back and admired your amazing troubleshooting skills. You pat yourself on the back and toast to your awesomeness. You never even stop to consider that God “may” have had something to do with your results. It was YOUR idea, it was YOUR effort, and it was YOUR glory. What does God have to do with your success anyway?

Just then is when you SHOULD run to the Church and beg God’s forgiveness for thinking you were so awesome to begin with. Even if you DID come up with the idea, wasn’t your intelligence a gift from God in the first place? Even if you DID dedicate many hours of YOUR time, wasn’t it God that first provided you with the time to offer to solve the world’s problems in the first place. Even when others praise you for YOUR effort, wasn’t is really God that inspired you to tackle the task? And doesn’t it annoy you when someone shows up and tries to burst YOUR bubble by pretending that God had “anything” to do with your success?

Sometimes the mere presence of God in our lives, especially when we want to claim credit for our awesomeness, torments us. That’s because deep in our hearts is we know that we are God’s children. “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” (Hebrews 8.10) The torment is our heart trying to inspire us to repent from our ego trip and honor God with our blessings and thank Him for the gifts He has given us.

But these demons are very strong in our hearts because, as fallen human beings, we are in a constant struggle to please our ego rather than please the Lord. Saint Paul characterized it perfectly when he wrote,

For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God -- through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.” (Romans 7.14-25)

It is not impossible to defeat these demons when we embrace the Lord as the Master.

We should be comforted by the story in this Sunday’s Gospel lesson. (Matthew 8.28-34,9.1) The legion demons could not even enter the swine without God’s permission. Neither can they control our life if we do not grant them permission. Our task, the REAL task, it to come to the Lord and He will drive the demons out of our hearts making room for His love and grace, IF we desire it. Too often we respond to God with the same words as the demons, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” (Matthew 8.29)

The next time you find yourself wondering why giving God credit for YOUR awesomeness feels like torment, consider the demons are working hard to keep you away from His grace and love. Bring yourself to the Church and invite God to remove these demon thoughts from your heart. THEN replace them with God’s love and grace. Otherwise, remember what the demons did to the swine, “And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water.” (Matthew 8.32) If you don’t get them out of your heart you will find yourself running wild off a spiritual cliff.

Of course there will always be someone who would rather you run off a cliff, not because of you, but because they can’t stand giving God credit in their lives either. “And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region.” (Matthew 8.34)

It's Time for Being Content

With the daily news of our continuing economic struggle in the USA and throughout the world, I can’t help but reflect upon Saint Paul’s wisdom. “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content,” (1 Timothy 6.7-8) “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13.5) “Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord's freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ's slave. (1 Corinthians 7.21-22) Could Saint Paul’s wisdom help us with our current economic crisis?

By listening to the nightly news you might suspect human beings NEVER lived without electricity, running water, private toilets, and twinkies. In fact people STILL live without these so-called necessities all over the world EVERYDAY…and they survive! Our daily comforts are not without toil, nor are they without spiritual risk. If these daily comforts continue to become the focus of our emotional energy, we run the risk of forgetting that we “can carry nothing out” of this life.

It’s about time we refocus our nation’s energies on our relationship with God. And I’m not just talking about same-sex marriage and abortion. These sins are mere symptoms of a society that has forgotten that God is God and human beings are created. We are created in the image of God, another fact most of us have forgotten. If we could only get past ourselves enough to see God waiting with His arms open, maybe we could return to a life dedicated to putting God first in our lives.

Putting God first doesn’t just mean calling ourselves Christians. It means having enough faith in Him to be content with the resources we have and not be concerned with our status as slaves. The only slavery we must fight is the slavery to sin that we each voluntarily embrace because it makes us feel good….that is until the economy comes crumbling down around us. THEN we wonder why God is punishing us. THEN we question whether we could believe in “a god” that doesn’t allow us to enjoy all the creature comforts our flesh desires.

It’s no wonder Jesus Christ called us to a life of asceticism when He said, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Mark 8.34) We cannot follow Christ worrying about our own desires. The centurion had it right when said, “"Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof.” (Matthew 8.8) Now THAT’S being content!

Demand Less and Praise More

At one time or another we all find ourselves in time of need, and we call upon the Lord in prayer to help us. In fact, many times our prayers consist more of shopping lists than praise. “I need this.” “Please help me with this.” “Convince this person to do what I think is right.” “Heal my friend.” Although we may not use these exact words, the meaning of our prayers is often the same. We want something, and we ask God for it.

There was a certain man who needed something from God, but his approach was very different. He said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.” (Matthew 8.8) How often do we think ourselves unworthy of God’s presence? How often do we simply place our total faith in God’s wisdom? In the face of such humility, Jesus “marveled, and said to those who followed, "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” (Matthew 8.10) The servant was healed.

In his great need, the centurion praised God’s power and authority rather than demanding a miracle. We could take notes and learn from the centurion’s deep humility. The next time you find yourself in need, rather than demanding (or even begging) God for help, try just praising God. You may end up realizing you don’t need what you think you need after all. With great faith come great blessings.

The Many Emotions of Summer Camp

I’ve just returned from two weeks of directing Saint Stephen’s Summer Camp for the Holy Metropolis of Atlanta at the Diakonia Retreat Center in Salem, SC. This very special summer camp ministry has given me the blessing of participating in the core of the Metropolis Youth Ministries. I currently serve as Co-Director with three dedicated and loving priests. We each share a portion of the summer schedule after months of planning and conference calls. As I write this blog, there are still two more sessions of camp to bring to completion. I must say, exhaustion aside, I miss being there with such loving staff and campers.

Summer camp brings out every emotion from sadness to joy, from frustration to comfort, and from doubt to trust. In the past two weeks I have witnessed all these and more, but what really touches my heart isn’t the emotion but the transition from negative emotions to positive. The first night of camp brings hesitation and homesickness as campers meet new people and experience, many for the first time EVER, their first night away from family. Shyness often turns to tears as these first year campers come to us begging, “Can I call home?” I’ve been down that road before and I “haven’t lost one yet.” It normally goes like this…

Camper: “Can I call home?”
Me: “Why?”
Camper: “I’m not feeling so good.”
Me: “What would you say to your mom right now?” (Keep in mind it is normally almost MIDNIGHT at this point)
Camper: “I want to go home.”
Me: “Since you can’t go home tonight anyway, why not go back to your room and sleep with your cabin. Then, come and talk to me in the morning.”
Camper: “Ok.”

Off to bed they go…almost never to return the next morning. Tears have turned to smiles in the morning.

By day two and three, camp has become a comfortable routine and deep friendships have already been established. Then comes day four….the day we offer the Mystery (Sacrament) of Holy Confession. Each camper is invited and encouraged, but never forced, to confess to a priest. I always make it a point to remind the campers of the grace of God that is present in every sacrament of the Church, but especially the healing power of God’s grace in Holy Confession. This is the day each priest cherishes when it’s over but dreads before it begins. After just a few days of summer camp, the love and trust between campers and clergy has reached a pinnacle and together in the grace of God, our souls meet for a brief moment and real healing begins. I’ve witnessed many tears turned to joy in Holy Confession. But Holy Confession is only a beginning….

The last full day of camp is the reason we all gather each summer. The Divine Liturgy is the center of our Orthodox Christian life, and brings the healing ministry of summer camp to a climax. Campers and staff join clergy in the Mystery of Holy Eucharist in the presence of the Holy Spirit. One by one, we each receive Holy Communion, the manifestation that God has become man so that we might, by God’s grace, participate in His divinity. Following Divine Liturgy we each experience the freedom of Christ’s love and our hearts are again restored to their purity in His love.

But every camp must end and Saturday is a return to tears, but they’re different. Sunday’s tears were filled with fear and longing to be at home. Now on Saturday, our tears are altogether different. We feel the warmth and trust and love and joy of camp. We know the world is filled with more pain, so our hearts are drawn to remain in Christ’s love, so strong at camp, rather than depart for the “real world” of bullies, judgment, and self-image issues.

This is where MY emotions are the strongest. I know the pain of the world awaits the campers. Will they remember the tools we taught them to remain pure? Will they take full advantage of the Church’s healing ministry and guidance to fight temptation? This is when I REALLY feel like the “father” they call me. I know I must send them out into the world, but wish I could protect them forever! Only one thing comforts my soul as I bid the campers farewell….the Holy Spirit is greater than all the protection I can offer. Go in peace my dear campers….we will meet again.

There are Saints and there are saints; Which are you?

I am often asked, “What is a saint, and how does someone become a Saint?” On the Sunday of All Saints, which is always the Sunday following the Feast of Pentecost, the Church commemorates all the holy men and women, most unknown, who have shown themselves to have placed God first in their lives while on Earth. They were some, the known holy men and women, who excelled in their love for God while living either through martyrdom (bearing witness to God sometimes even to death) or confessing Him before others, or living holy and righteous lives, that the Church bestows the title of “Saint” and urges the faithful to imitate their loyalty to God.

Then there are the unknown holy men and women, known ONLY to God, who lived quiet lives dedicated to God above all else in their lives. They were teachers, janitors, mothers, fathers, priests, bishops, monks, nuns, lawyers, farmers, ranchers….normal people just like you and me who struggled against the “ways of the world” in favor the “ways of the Lord.”

These Saints and saints were more interested in Heavenly things than earthly things. Saint Paul teaches we are all called to be saints (Romans 1.7) and reminds us “we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,” (Hebrews 12.1) as inspiration to remain faithful to Jesus Christ. We are not alone in being tempted by our passions (wealth, power, anger, selfishness etc) since all the saints were also tempted.

Be inspired on this Sunday of All Saints to reclaim the courage to become the loyal saint you were called by Christ to become. Be comforted today by being reminded that all saints have temptation. Be strong today and decide to place God first IN ALL THINGS in your life. Be blessed by God who said, “Every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 10.32)

The Radical Message of Jesus

Love your enemies! Don’t pursue wealth! Deny yourself! Drink and have a river gushing from your heart! On the surface these sound like radical ideas from a man who was a carpenter. Even His accusers said, “No man ever spoke like this Man!” With the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, the Church was granted the gift of being “guided in all truth” by the Holy Spirit sent to us by Jesus Christ from Heaven. How about this for radical…..let the Church be your moral guide? That’s right; being a Christian is being radical, but when Jesus is involved, even the radical seems right.

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The Coming of the Holy Spirit

Before His Passion, Jesus comforted the Holy Apostles with a promise. “When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth.” (John 15.13) Before His Glorious  Ascension Jesus, “commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, ‘which,’ He said, ‘ you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’” (Acts 1.4-5)

Following the Ascension of Jesus Christ, the Holy Apostles waited until the Feast of Pentecost and the coming the Holy Spirit. “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.” (Acts 2.2-3)

With the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Apostles now had the authority of God and were guided into all truth by the Holy Spirit. Since that day, we have remained faithful to the teachings and way of life of the Holy Apostles, not in blind obedience, but in faith that the Holy Spirit, the Comforter promised by God, continues to guide the Church into all truth – so long as we remain faithful to the Apostles. As Saint Paul said, “Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of our epistle.” (2 Thessalonians 2.15)

W4T (Word for Today) - Άσκηση – practice

Anything we desire to improve requires practice. We all prepare in some fashion for activities and events in which we participate. If, for example, we will be performing in a musical concert, we ask what the music will be and then we practice the music. Some day we will all be expected to worship God in Heaven. How can we practice for that? Check out Isaiah 6.1-4 and Revelation 1.12-15; both describe the continual worship of God in Heaven. This was the same worship established by God in the Temple, and this IS the same worship which continues today in the Orthodox Christian Church. So we know HOW we will worship God in Heaven, now it time to practice. Find the closest Orthodox Christian Church and begin practicing for Heaven.

Isaiah 6.1-4 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!" And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke.

Revelation 1.12-15 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters.

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“Am I looking for the truth of Christ?”

“That the works of God should be revealed in him.” (John 9.3)

The miracles of God as told in the Holy Scriptures are for one purpose, to reveal to us the truth of God. The story of the healing of the man born blind has this purpose; to reveal to those who witness the miracle, and to us who hear about the miracle, that Jesus Christ is the not only the Messiah, but the Creator of the universe.

The Gospel offers a glimpse, if we choose to see it, when we hear, “He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay.” (John 9.6) The image reminds of another time when God created using dirt. “Then God formed man out of the dust from the ground, and breathed in his face the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” (Genesis 2.7)

In this miracle, we find ourselves face-to-face with a Man not only heals the sick, but can complete the creation started by God, as God revealing His authority and power.

In his homily on this passage, St John Chrysostom puts it this way, “"For as some excellent architect may build part of a house, and leave the rest unfinished, so that those who believe not he may prove, by means of that remnant, that he is author of the whole; so also God joined together and completes our body, as it were a house decayed, healing the withering hand, bracing the palsied limbs, straightening the lame, cleansing the lepers, raising up of the sick, making sound the crippled, recalling the dead from death, opening the eyes that were closed, or adding them where they were not, all which things, being blemishes arising from the infirmity of our nature, He by correcting showed His power."

So the next time you are faced with asking for a miracle from the Lord, consider this; “Am I looking for the truth of Christ?”

Now We Believe

When St Photini, the Samaritan Woman whom Jesus spoke with at Jacob’s Well, invited her entire city to come and see Jesus Christ, she said, “Come, and see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” (John 4.29) We hear in the Gospel that the people came to see Jesus, and urged Him to stay for a few days and they listened to what He had to say. “And many more believed because of His own word.” (John 4.41)

Once the city people heard Jesus and interacted with Jesus, it was then that they took ownership of their belief. “Then they said to the woman, ‘Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.” (John 4.42) It wasn’t enough to hear ABOUT Jesus, the people needed to ENCOUNTER Him.

The same is true for us today AND for our neighbors and friends. It isn’t enough that we TELL our friends we believe in Jesus Christ, or that we TELL them that we are Greek Orthodox. We are expected to INVITE them to come and see and ENCOUNTER Him for themselves. While St Photini went and invited the city, Jesus said to His Disciples, “Lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! I sent you out to reap that for which you have not labored.’” (John 4.35,38) Jesus was reminding His Disciples, and He is reminding us, that the time for harvest is upon us. The time to invite our friends and neighbors and THE ENTIRE CITY, to come and see AND ENCOUNTER Jesus Christ, is upon us. They will come because we invite them, but they will believe because they encounter “the Savior of the world.”

W4T (Word for Today) – Εμπειρία – experience

Life experience is a two-edged sword. It can either harden or soften our hearts. The choice is up to us whether we follow Christ and His Church or the world. Don’t let your life experience harden your heart to your fellow human beings. Rather, allow it to inform you of the great need for mercy and love…and then put that experience into proper action!

Why Do So Many People Have to Suffer?

On the third Sunday following Holy and Great Pascha, the Church reminds us of the reality of pain, suffering and death in this world. In the story of the pool of Bethsaida (John 5.1-15) and the miracles accomplished by St Peter (Acts 9.32-42) we learn of God’s purpose for miracles. We all know, by first-hand experience, that MOST do NOT receive miracle healings by the Lord, although sometimes Holy Scripture gives us the misimpression that miracles are common everyday experiences. When the Lord DOES intervene with miracles, it is for a greater purpose than mere physical health. We don’t need to fear sickness and death. Miracles, and suffering by default, are to lead us to find the Lord and embrace His Good News for a brighter future. Then we must heed the warning of our Lord, “Go and sin no more,” lest someone worse befall us.

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No Sunday School….No Greek School….No Church?

Every summer a national exodus of Christians from their churches takes place. Families have planned for months to enjoy that long-awaited and much-needed vacation. Trips to the mountains and beach are on the family calendar. Enjoying “lazy” mornings with the family and cookout dinners….These are all part of our many summer experiences. But where does Church fit in?

Parents are still working; so many daytrips must take place over the weekend if they are going to happen at all. Longer vacations are planned out well in advance and time off from work is in order after a long year of “nose-to-the-grindstone” work ethic. But where does Church fit in?

Church has to fit in, right? I have always been concerned with the attitude of taking a summer vacation from Church. Many times it has become customary to expect families to disappear until Sunday School begins again the fall. While we all should find time as a family to get away and retreat for a vacation and family bonding, that doesn’t mean from the Church.

There are more than 2000 Orthodox Christian Churches in America making it much easier than ever to include Sunday Divine Liturgy into your family vacation. It only requires planning. We plan for campsites, fishing licenses, cabin reservations, etc….why not Church? Most Churches have websites or Facebook pages making it simple to determine when Divine Liturgy starts.

Don’t let your summer vacation from the busyness of the world take you away from the holiness of the Church!

http://www.assemblyofbishops.org/directories/parishes

W4T (Word for Today) - πληθωρικός - plethoric

W4T (Word for Today) - πληθωρικός – normally used in reference to quantity but can also be used to describe a person with an exuberant or having an overly-grand personality. One can be plethoric in style or physique.

We all want to believe that we add something special to any group or organization of which are a part. This is our ego working to puff us up rather than the call of our Lord to be a servant of all and act with humility. Sometime we are just "too much" or worse, "too full" of ourselves.

Faith, Courage, and Conviction; Honoring Our Mothers

When we think of our mothers, we think of the courage of compassion in the face of bumps and bruises and broken hearts. When we think of our mothers, we think of the conviction to stand up for the truth and her family. When we think of our mothers, we think of the faith they have in Christ and their dedication to nurturing that faith in our hearts. When we honor our earthly mothers, we honor the Divine Mother of God who expressed the traits of a devoted loving mother.

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Nothing Can Keep the Good News of the Resurrection Silent!

In the earliest days of the Church, many miracles were accomplished within the Church by the Holy Apostles. As a result of people witnessing these great miracles, many “believers were increasingly added to the Lord.” (Acts 5.14) In fact there were so many miracles, out of extreme jealousy the religious elite, the high priest and the Sadducees, arrested the Holy Apostles to silence their message. “But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, ‘Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.’” (Acts 5.19-20) Even the high priest of the temple was not strong enough to silence the Good News of Christ.

During our Great Lenten journey the Church invited us to look inward to reflect upon the state of our soul. We were invited to repent and rededicate our life to Jesus Christ and His Church. At the Paschal celebration last week, we were reminded of the great joy that exists in the message of Christ’s Holy and Glorious Resurrection. I invite you to allow the Light of Christ to shine in your hearts and your homes, and not to rush back to the worldly life.

Today we see the power of Christ’s Resurrection. We see the power of the Gospel in healing and saving the souls of all who believe. We also see the fear of those who reject Jesus Christ and His message of freedom. But the fear and jealously of the nonbelievers has no power over us unless we allow it. The angels of God will assist us in declaring the Gospel to the world and Jesus will bless those who believe. Be strong and speak the truth of Christ because Christ is Risen and there is no fear in the Risen Lord.

Leave the World Behind and Shine with the Light of Christ - Christ is Risen!

The world is dark and full of pain and suffering. The Light of Christ is warm and filled with peace. Whether we shine in Christ or rush back to allow the world to light our way is our choice. We pray that you will kindle the Light of Christ in your heart this year for Pascha without being so quick to return to the worldly life.

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The Joy of Holy and Great Friday

Shortly before His Holy Passion, Jesus said, “If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father.’” (John 14.28) With these words Jesus sought to bring peace and comfort to His Disciples in the face of His impending death. He also said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14.27) The joy in the Passion of Christ isn’t in His death, but in His glorious resurrection. We rejoice on Holy and Great Friday not because we bury the Lord, but because we already know how the story ends. 

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Have we learned anything about ourselves yet?

Sunday evening Orthodox Christians celebrated the first of three Bridegroom Matins. There are actually four of these services, but most Orthodox Churches substitute the Bridegroom Matins for Holy Wednesday evening (that’s tonight) with the Mystery (Sacrament) of Healing Oil (Holy Unction) so I figured I would pause at this point with a Holy Week reflection by asking the question: “Have we learned anything about ourselves yet?”

The Church has established certain themes for each evening during Holy Week.




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  Icon of the Bridegroom (Florence, SC)

  Sunday Evening (Matins for Holy Monday Morning) – The Church reflects upon the withered fig tree
• Monday Evening (Matins for Holy Tuesday Morning) – The Church reflects upon the parable of the ten virgins
• Tuesday Evening (Matins for Holy Wednesday Morning) – The Church reflects upon the anointing of Jesus by the harlot juxtaposed with the betrayal of Jesus by Judas.
• Wednesday Evening (Matins for Holy Thursday Morning) – The Church reflects upon the Mystical Supper (commonly called the Last Supper) and the institution of the Eucharist

Glancing back on these themes a pattern, or better yet a trajectory, becomes obvious. We are encouraged by the Church to reflect upon our spiritual condition as it relates to:

1. Whether or not our spiritual life is bearing fruit (thus the warning of the withered fig tree)
2. Whether or not we are awaiting the return of Christ in a state of readiness (thus the parable of the virgins)
3. Whether or not we are repenting in humility to the Lord rather than betraying the Lord with a self-oriented spirituality and greed (thus the warning of Judas)

If we take seriously our journey through Holy Week, and going all the way back to the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee at the beginning of Pre-Lent, if we have not learned something about ourselves, we have failed to take full advantage of the “reason for the season”, namely repentance and salvation. If we rather glance back at the past few nights (if even we were in Church) or the past 7 weeks and discover we are not somehow different, we have failed to take advantage of the Great Lenten journey and we run the risk of not bearing fruit (there’s that fig tree warning again!) and being shut out of the Kingdom.

It is true that Jesus has not come to judge the world but to save it, but that salvation comes with an expectation that we are somehow engaged in the process. It was just a few weeks ago that we heard Jesus say, “IF anyone desires to come after Me….” IF is a key word in understand the Passion of Christ. If we sit back and await the coming of the Lord considering that we are “totally ready and prepared” for Him, (there’s that foolish virgin warning again!) we will be shut out of the Kingdom.

If we are one of the many that want “Church on OUR terms” with the programs WE WANT and the services WE WANT and WHEN WE want them, (there’s that self-oriented spirituality of Judas warning again!) we will miss the opportunity to repent in total humility in front of our Lord, and be shut out of the Kingdom.

With just a few more days of Holy Week, there is still time to engage in the journey and bring your life around and face it toward the Lord Jesus Christ. There is still time to repent in humility to your local Orthodox Priest, who has been granted authority by Christ and the Church to forgive sins. There is still time to bear the spiritual fruit of prayer and fasting and be welcomed into the Kingdom as the wise virgins…

“Behold the Bridegroom comes in the middle of the night, and blessed is the servant, whom He shall find vigilant; and unworthy is he, whom He shall find heedless. Beware, therefore, O my soul, that you will not be overcome by sleep, lest you be given up to death, and be shut out from the Kingdom. Wherefore, rouse yourself, crying out: Holy, Holy, Holy are You our God, through the power of Your Cross save us."

May the remainder of Holy Week be blessed….

 

Jesus as King on Palm Sunday

Hosanna! Blessed is He Who Comes in the name of the Lord! Jesus comes to us as the King of Peace, the King of Glory, the King of Kings, but never with the force and pride of an Earthly King. Jesus as King is our protector and provider, defender and victor over our enemy. In return we are invited to allow Him to use our heart as His divine throne so He can rule our lives and protect us from within.

 

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