ORTHODOX ASCETICISM IS ESSENTIAL IN ONE’S SPIRITUAL LIFE

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God, and Savior,

CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

Orthodox Asceticism is Essential in
one’s Spiritual Life.

"FOR GOD CREATED MAN FOR IMMORTALITY
AND MADE HIM AN IMAGE OF HIS OWN ETERNITY.
AND DEATH ENTERED THE WORLD BY THE ENVY
OF THE DEVIL"
[Wisdom of Solomon 2:23-24].

We are reminded in the Old Testament that "God, to be sure, framed man for an immortal destiny, the created image of His Own endless being; but since the devil’s envy brought death into the world, they make him their model that takes him for their master. Our Lord and God Jesus Christ came down from Heaven to save mankind from the tyranny of the devil and death. As the Founder of our faith, our Lord granted us the gift of salvation by teaching us His commandments and guiding us how to obtain Eternal Life.

As Orthodox Christians we are to adhere to His Divine Teachings and preserve unto death our faith in Christ our Savior no matter what may be the circumstances and obstacles in the world which we dwell in. Our contemporary world as we know it is a very difficult place to practice one’s faith. It is dangerous because as Saint John the Theologian writes, "We know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in the evil one" [1 John 5:19]. We must be strong in our convictions, faith, and principles knowing that "the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding in order that we may know Him Who is true; and we are in the true One, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the True God and Life Eternal" [1 John 5:20].

Through our holy baptism and chrismation we became His children, His slaves (servants). the children of God. At holy baptism our Holy Orthodox Church we chant, "As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ, Alleluia." Therefore, since we belong to the Almighty God, we must live in accordance with God’s Commandments, in accordance with Christ’s Divine Gospel and the holy Canons of the Church. We are baptized, we are Orthodox Christians but sadly our knowledge of our Holy Faith is very little. It is urgent, however, that every Orthodox Christian make a true commitment to the Faith and strive to learn as much as possible. How can one practice his/her faith if there is lack of knowledge of what one believes?

Saint Theophan the Recluse writes: "The true Christian tests himself every day. Daily testing to see whether we have become better or worse, is essential for us that without it we cannot be called Christians. Constantly and persistently we must take ourselves in hand. Do this: from the morning establish thoughts about the Lord firmly in your mind and during the whole day resist any deviation from those thoughts. Whatever you are doing with whomever you are speaking, whether you are going somewhere or sitting, let your mind be with the Lord. You will forget yourself, and stray from this path; but again turn to the Lord and rebuke yourself with sorrow. This is the ascesis of spiritual attentiveness.

Another great Saint of our Holy Orthodox Church is Saint John of Kronstadt who wrote: "Every day, hour, and minute, keep a strict watch and consider every thought, desire, and movement of the heart, every word and deed, and do not let yourself be defiled by one sinful thought, desire, or movement of the imagination, in word or deed, knowing that the Lord is the Righteous Judge Who is judging you every instant and is evaluating the inner man. Continually keep yourself pure for God." So it takes a concerted effort and willingness to keep yourself on the right path, on maintaining a strict watch and keeping one’s thoughts clean and one’s heart pure and undefiled.

Orthodox Christian asceticism is a austere, purposeful life, expressed in spiritual labors, that is IN PRAYER, CONTEMPLATION, THE DIRECTING OF THE MIND TOWARD GOD, FREQUENTLY IN CONJUNCTION WITH CORRESPONDING PHYSICAL UNDERTAKINGS, AND SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH ABSTENTION FROM ANY NEGATIVE ACTIVITY AND UNNECESSARY NATURAL SATISFACTIONS. It is the true spiritual challenge of all who desire to grown in Christ and attain theosis (deification). Asceticism was thought of as a life for certain desert-dwellers or monks ["ascetics"]. The authentic Christian faith itself is built on self-denial, which to a certain degree is asceticism.

The holy Apostle of the Nations, Saint Paul warns us: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth and shall be turned unto fables" [2 Timothy 4:3-4]. Spiritual warfare is real and we are in the midst of it. The Orthodox Christian must be vigilant at all times and well spiritually armed for the ensuing battle. It means that the Christian must have a strong prayer life, sacramental life, obedient to the commandments of our Savior Jesus Christ, and living a virtuous life. No one can become triumphant over the evil which all are confronted with unless one is well trained spiritually and is willing to make the necessary sacrifices.

The Orthodox Christian who is sincere, as he/she progresses. grows spiritually: he/she controls all emotions, desires, and thoughts becomes better. This is what the path of true asceticism consists of. The purpose of Orthodox asceticism is purification from evil. We must attain this in the time of our earthly life. This is the reason that time is highly valued in our Faith. Not knowing how much time we have here on earth we must not waste it on vain and worldly endeavors. Avoid being frustrated if your spiritual life is not progressing fast enough for you. The average Orthodox Christian is still in infancy spiritually. Infants, as all of us know, nurse on their mother’s milk first, and as they become older, then when ready proceed by eating baby food. As their muscles grow stronger they begin to crawl and finally they take their first steps with the help of their parents. Growing and maturing in Christ is very similar. It takes one’s entire life, and, of course, not before one goes through various spiritual stages, struggles, sacrifices, failures, mistakes, pain, tears, in order to reach spiritual maturity. The believer and followers of Christ must always trust in God, seek His guidance and grace, pray unceasingly, and be humble and patient. Remember that nothing can be accomplished without Him.

Worship at your local parish church as often as possible, adhere to our Orthodox Christian Tradition of preparing yourself by prayer, fasting, and almsgiving ("works of mercy"} or helping the poor. Participate in the Mysteries (Sacraments) of the Church with a contrite heart, with reverence, humbleness, "with the fear of God, with faith and love". Study carefully the Holy Scripture, Old and New Testaments, and implement the Christian tenets in your personal life, read attentively the Lives of the Saints and emulate their devotion to God, piety, faith and humility. Strengthen your spiritual relationship with your parish priest who prays for you at every Divine Liturgy, who meets all your spiritual needs, and is present at the most critical and significant moments in your life.

______________
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
+ + +

With sincere agape in His Divine and Glorious Diakonia (MInistry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George