My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Lord, God, and Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE,
"AND LO, I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS" (Matthew 28:20)
A Christian ought not feel alone when our Lord assures His disciples that "I am with you always." Even if someone is required to be in a remote place, a desert, in a mountain cave, in the middle of the great ocean he/she is never alone because God is ever present. A person of faith believes the words of the Lord Christ. Our Savior is there with us through the Holy Spirit, our God and therefore we are not either ignored or forgotten by Him. We know Him directly, here and now, in the present, as our Savior and our best Friend and faithful Companion. Through prayer we speak to Him and although He knows what we need, we have Him to always hear our concerns and sorrows. We feel His love for us and we will never be separated from Him even after that great consummation. He is with us now, and unto the ages of ages.
As Orthodox Christians we learn from ascetic men and women of our Faith who left the secular world, the luxury, the noise, materialism and hedonism of the big cities to find seclusion, peaceful surroundings, and solitude. What mattered for them was to be alone with God. They never missed the world that they abandoned or its enticements. Their life of ascetic struggle was strictly devoted to worshipping the Almighty and Loving God, without any distractions. By seeking God they found inner peace and solace. All worldly things have absolutely no value at all but they do interfere with everything that is spiritual and godly. The holy Apostle Paul reminds us: "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out" (1 Timothy 6:7). Saint Paul exhorts "command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, Who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works" (1 Timothy 6:17-18).
A faithful person who may find himself or herself without the company of relatives or acquaintances need not feel alone when our heavenly Father is with him or her "always". Those Christians that find themselves in that state have an opportunity to reach out to the poor,the homeless, the suffering and to bring love, comfort and compassion to them. By doing so they will receive a great reward from God and at the same time they will use the time they have on earth to serve a worthwhile purpose. The person of faith finds fulfillment in his/her relationship with Christ. "Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God" (1 John 4: 15). To wallow in self-indulgent pity gains absolutely nothing. Instead of feeling pity for oneself we should have pity for those who are abandoned and discarded by society. We need to use the time and opportunity to do good, to act as Christians, which means putting ourselves always last. There are numerous philanthropic institutions that have a need of volunteers. One of my parishioners who was a senior and single, volunteered to drive and deliver food to the disabled and used the opportunity to do good and help others. I believe the service or program is called meals-on-wheels. The other option would be to sit at home and feel sorry for oneself. With the existing technology, people who cannot drive to deliver food or to volunteer in a local charity one can work and contribute his/her time and talent from home. God teaches us to love one another and do good to one another out of love.
Granted, there are numerous problems that a person must confront and resolve in his/her life but we should not be defeated by them. Granted there is injustice in the world and some people can be cruel and insensitive but, as Christians, what should immediately come to mind is what our Savior Jesus Christ endured for our sake, the Son of God, Perfect God and Perfect Man, God in the flesh, is that not injustice? One of the hymns chanted on Holy and Great Thursday says: "They gave Me gall to eat, and when I was thirsty they gave Me vinegar to drink", is that not cruelty? Why would we be surprised? Are we that naive? Are we better than our Lord and Savior? And what about His Crucifixion? Is being crucified not suffering, painless? Following the fifth gospel there is procession on the same evening (Holy Thursday) and the priest chants as he is carrying the Crucifix: "Today is hung upon the Tree, He Who suspended the earth in the midst of the water. A crown of thorns crowns Him, Who is the King of Angels. He is wrapped about with the purple of mockery, Who wrapped the Heavens with clouds. He received buffetings, Who freed Adasm in the Jordan. He was transfixed with nails, Who is the Son of the Virgin." Our Holy Church, through the hymns Jesus’ Great Sacrifice, a Sacrifice of an innocent Man, to save all of humanity. It also reveals how hateful and vicious we, as people, can be. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ triumphed over this cruelty, injustice, suffering and death and granted us His Glorious Resurrection, by which as Christians, anticipate and hope for.
Life is too precious and should not be wasted needlessly or selfishly. We must always be grateful to God for all of His blessings bestowed upon us and our families. The holy Apostle James writes: "Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead" (James 2:17). The faith that saves is a complete faith: not just the mind believing and the tongue confessing but a faith that is expressed through works of love and mercy. Our attention should never be directed to ourselves but to those less fortunate. There is absolutely no reason for us to feel that our life is without meaning or purpose. There are countless people like us who have a very fulfilling life not because they have a lot of relatives and friends around them, but because they found an opportunity to serve others and took it. Some have gone as far as helping people in other countries.
Negative thoughts about our life materialize into despondency and depression. A person that suffers from the illness of depression is unable to function fully and to make personal decisions. As people of faith we ought not to allow ourselves to fall into hopelessness and despair. Instead we must immediately turn to our Savior Christ and ask for His help, guidance, and for strength to overcome our problems and obstacles in our life. One must not permit fear to overtake us and ruin our life and future. There is a light at the end of the dark tunnel and that Light is our Lord. Follow His Light and you will come out of the tunnel victorious. Psalm 27 is a confirmation of faith in the midst of adversity: "The Lord IS MY LIGHT AND MY SALVATION; Whom shall I fear? The Lord IS THE STRENGTH OF MY LIFE; of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27:1). At times of adversity and danger we must remain calm and prayerful. No person of faith should ever surrender without fighting the good fight. No one should ever allow the challenges, the problems, the injustices, the cruelty, and illnesses to defeat us. We must learn from our Lord not to ever give up. We must not become cowards and weak people. Instead, we must be people of strong faith, people with determination, people with courage and resolve. The Palms are very helpful and inspiring if read carefully and with confidence.
I will conclude with Psalm 31 with a powerful message for those who are undergoing adversity:
In You, O Lord, I put my trust;
Let me never be ashamed;
Deliver me in Your righteousness,
Bow down Your ear to me,
Deliver me speedily;
Be my rock of refuge,
A fortress of defense to save
me.
For You are my rock and my
fortress;
Therefore, for Your name’s
sake,
Lead me and guard me…"
_________
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
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With sincere agape in His Divine and Glorious Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
The Eastern Orthodox Christian Ethos 