“REMEMBER ME O LORD…”

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

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

"REMEMBER ME O LORD…"

"Then he said to Jesus, ‘Lord,
REMEMBER ME WHEN YOU COME
INTO YOUR KINGDOM.’
And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly,
I say to you, today you will be with
Me in Paradise" [Luke 23:43].

The above biblical passage truly demonstrates the unmerited grace of the Almighty God toward PENITENT SINNERS, a magnificent expression of the heart of the Gospel. The prayer, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom" is highlighted in the hymns and worship of our Holy Orthodox Church. The repentant criminal is the first person to enter "Paradise," with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The first "of the criminals" wanted to use Jesus to avoid responsibility for his actions, while "the other" accepted his sentence and asked simply TO BE REMEMBERED. This latter way is the path to "Paradise." To be reconciled to Christ is to be in Paradise immediately. Furthermore, the souls of the departed are in the PRESENCE OF GOD and experience A FORETASTE OF His glory before the final resurrection.

The following hymns is chanted while the
faithful are receiving Holy Communion:

"Of Thy Mystical Supper receive me today, O
Son of God, as a partaker; for I will not speak of
the Mystery to Thine enemies; I will not kiss Thee
as did Judas; but AS THE THIEF, I WILL CONFESS
THEE: LORD, REMEMBER ME IN THY KINGDOM."

It is also most important that we have the correct understanding of the hymn which we chant at a funeral service and/or memorial service at church, I am speaking of course, of "memory eternal," or "may his/her memory be eternal." There may be some of our Orthodox Christians who believe that chanting this hymn the Church is asking that we not forget the deceased person but to always remember him or her here on earth. But Saint Nikolai Velimirovic said: "Could there be something Eternal upon the earth, where everything is passing like a wedding?" We know, of course, that all come to an end in this life and, therefore, what good would it be to remember our friend or loved one here on earth but be forgotten in heaven?

Saint Nikolai states, "It is correct to think and wish for the deceased one to be remembered in eternity in the Eternal Life, in the Kingdom of God. That is the real meaning of "May his/her memory be Eternal." Our Lord Jesus Christ speaking to His Disciples says, "Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but RATHER REJOICE BECAUSE YOUR NAMES ARE WRITTEN IN HEAVEN" [Luke 10:20]. Meaning that the Disciples are known in heaven, the Kingdom of Glory and Love.

In the Holy Scripture there is a reference about how the names of the righteous ones are inscribed in the Book of Life, while the names of the unrighteous are erased and forgotten. "And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, WHOSE NAMES ARE NOT WRITTEN IN THE Book of Life from the foundation of the world" [Revelation 17:8]. Also, "And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, WHOSE NAMES ARE IN THE Book of Life" [Philippians 4:3]. It is evident in the Holy Scripture that names of the righteous will be written in the book of the living, whereas the names of sinners will be deleted and forgotten. From the account of the rich man and his servant Lazarus, we understand that the Lord says the name of Lazarus, but makes no mention of the name of the rich man. It is made clear that Lazarus entered into the Kingdom of Heaven, received Eternal Life and Eternal remembrance; but the unmerciful sinful rich man was deprived of the Kingdom, Eternal Life and name.

Christians who wish eternal remembrance want something which is in accordance with the Gospel; if they desire immortal remembrance on earth they seek a never to be fulfilled and delusional goal. It is a fact that Christians who have gone through this earthly life silently, meekly, with true piety, humbly, and without any disturbance, were by the grace of God, granted the blessing of having their name inscribed in the Book of Life. The flamboyant ones, arrogant, materially wealthy, loud, proud, those neglecting the poor, having no love for their fellow man or God, and showing no faith or fear of God, are left without a name and absolutely with no remembrance at all as though they never existed.

It is our Heavenly Father Who determines who is to be remembered by Him and whose name will be inscribed in the Book of Life for all eternity. The good thief on the cross repented and only then was admitted to Paradise. "But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying , ‘Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.’ [Luke 23:40-41]. Repentance is essential and necessary to enter God’s Kingdom. Jesus began preaching saying, "REPENT FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND" [Matthew 4:17]. Repentance is man’s turning from himself to God. It is a radical change of one’s spirit, mind, and heart, a complete reorientation of the whole of one’s life and being. It is the necessary first step on "the way of the Lord" and is followed by confession of sins, the decisive act of baptism, and an actual change (metanoia) in one’s life, the "fruits worthy of repentance" [Matthew 3:8]. If no fruit appears, sacramental acts, and spiritual discipline are useless.

PRAYER OF SAINT EPHRAIM

Lord and Master of my life, cast away
from me the spirit of laziness, idle
curiosity, love of power and vain talk.

But grant me, Your servant, the spirit of
moderation, humility, patience and
love.

Yes, Lord and King, grant me to see my
own faults and not to judge my brothers
and sisters.

For You are Blessed forever. Amen
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"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
+ Father George