THE VALUE OF THE VIRTUE OF RESPECT

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.

THE VALUE OF THE VIRTUE OF RESPECT

"Furthermore, we have had human fathers
who corrected us, AND WE PAID THEM RESPECT.
Shall we not much more readilybe n subjection to
the Father of spirits and live?

The Holy Apostle Paul clearly points out the significance of respect. If the loving discipline of our "human" fathers brought us to respect them, how much more deserving of respect is the discipline of "the Father of spirits", our Creator whose breath gives us life [Genesis 1:26-27]. Indeed, "respect" is widely considered a virtue (Gr. arete), meaning it is a positive character trait that involves treating others with consideration, dignity, and appreciation, making it a desirable quality in ethical behavior. Also, respect means recognizing the worth of someone or something and treating them accordingly, often including listening attentively valuing their opinions, and not causing harm. Respect is fundamental for building healthy relationships, as it fosters trust, understanding, and positve interactions. It is the core value encouraging individuals to treat other with respect regardless of their differences.

Saint John of Kronstadt wrote: "Do not despise any man… Do not despise any man, however poor he may be, but behave with full respect and kindness to every well-intentioned man, especially to the poor, as to our memers worthy of compassion — or, rather, to members of Christ — otherwise you will cruelly wound your soul." Saint Paisios said, "When there is a respect for small things, there will be an even greater respect towards the bigger things. When there is no respect for small thinigs, then neither will there be for the bigger ones. This is how the Fathers maintained Tradition."

No civilized society can function properly if its citizens do not treat each other with respect. Where there is no respct, there is no harmony or peace. Disregard of others brings conflict and injury. Society needs peaceful co-existence and cooperation among the people. If a society is to progress in any way or fashion it must promote respect among its adherents. Respect strengthens not only relationships but the work place, no matter if it is a church, school, business, government, family or even the military. Respect builds up trust among people and it creates a friendly environment. It also it shows appreaciation and acknowledgment of someone’s accomplishment no matter what it is i.e., the work of an artist, the author of a good book, the discovery of a scientist, the ministry of a priest, the governing talent of a politician, the accomplishment of a devoted teacher, etc. By respecting the outcome of someone’s work it encourates not only that individual but others to emulate his or her accomplishment.

We are taught from very young to respect God, our Church, and everything sacred, our parents, to respect our priests, to respect human life, to respect our teachers and all people regardless of their poor or rich, young or old, police officers, our friends, our simbligs, and in general all people without exception. How can we not respect human life, especially as Christians, when we believe that human life is uniquely created by God in the "image and likeness of God." Human lifes as such deserves deep respect and individual human beings are to be treated in accordance with their inhertent human dignity.

The reality in our contemporary world is that the virtue of respect has been diminished in its importance. It is seems that the virtue of respect is not taught or ephasized at home, at church or at school any longer. Children need parental guidance, and too, for parents to also be an example of what it means to have self-respect and respect for eachother, seniors and for their fellow citizens. I recall when I was a young man riding on a bus and when an older man or lady came on board a young person sitting would immediately offer their sit to the older man or to the lady out of respect. Or a person would go out of the way to help someone to carry groceries or to help them cross the street. It was out of both, courtesy and respect. These, of course, are small examples, however, it was wonderful to witness it personally.

The world today has changed dramatically and all the wonderul values, attiquet, courtesy, respect, consideration, and kindness have become scarcer to find. We need to revive all these beautiful practices and traditions to make our society more pleasant and a happier place. The world needs to become more refine, more thoughtful, and gentler. There is no doubt in my mind that a respectful person, is also a humble person, who cares about the people that suroud him or her. That, when he or she give of themselves to others it is from the heart and very genuine.

As Orthodox Christians we learn to treat people awlays with respect. We are, by beinf a good examle, make a difference in the world that we live in through our faith, Christian values, respect, honesty, goodness, and virtues and love for our fellow man. We all agree that none of us are perfect and neither is our world, however, we can, if we want to, make it much better. Although we consider respect a virtue, there are still a number of other virtes i.e., faith, hope, knowledge, wisdom, honesty, humility, obedience, patience, courage, faithfulness, self-control, kindness and gratitude. Along with virtues are a number of passions. Passions are the uncontrolled desires that come from our bodily needs. They subordinate our soul to our self will. They rise up because we have turned away from God and only concentrate on our immediate earthly needs. The seven passions are glutony, lust, avarice, anger, dejection, listlessness, and pride. Everyone of these passions lead us to commit sin but by the grace of God and repentane we can overcome all of them.

Let us pray to the Lord

Kyrie eleison

+ In the Name of the Father, and of the Son

and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Lord, Our God, If I have sinned this day in any way,
By word, deed or thought,
Forgive me everything as a Good and Loving God.
Grant me a peaceful and undisturbed sleep;
Deliver me from every attack and influence of the evil one.
Raise me up at the appropriate time to glorify You,
For You are Blessed, together with Your Only-begotten Son,
And Your All-Holy Spirit,
Now and forever and to the ages. Amen.

____________
"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