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.
THE LORD SAID: "Therefore I say to you,
DO NOT WORRY ABOUT YOUR LIFE…"
[Matthew 6:25-24].
It is a fact that severe anxiety and worry can27]. lead to unbearable stress and both physical, emotional, and spiritual illness. Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ knows human nature and its obsession to know what the future brings. Severe anxiety, NOT thoughtful planning and care, is what is warned against here. We believe that physical growth and length of life is dependent upon the Providence of God and more than upon "food, drink, and clothing." However, persistent anxiety over things of this world demonstrates internal insecurity and a weak or superficial faith.
"Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" [v.26]. Truly mankind is spiritually blind to see God’s Providence, care and love for His creation. All of nature reveals God’s blessings, wisdom, perfection, creativity and Divine Plan. Sadly, man only sees himself and his own material needs. Man’s vision is distorted and shortsighted. The Lord asks, "which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? [v. 27]. He adds: "So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grown: they neither toil nor spin;" [v. 28].
"Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O YOU OF LITTLE FAITH?" [v. 30].
"Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink’ or ‘What shall we wear? For after all these things the Gentiles seek. FOR YOU HEAVENLY FATHER KNOWS THAT YOU NEED ALL THESE THINGS" [vv. 31-32]. Our relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ must always be based on faith and trust in Him. There can be no relationship without either faith or trust. The faithful should join David the King who writes, "But as for me, I trust in YOu, O Lord; I say, "You are my God" (Psalm 31[30]:14]. This is a psalm of confidence in God, used as a song in Great Compline during in the holy season of Great Lent. It expresses the cry of all who seek help and deliverance from the Lord in the midst of terrible suffering and pain. David sang this psalm when he repented from his sin, imploring God to deliver him from it. He gives thanks to God, because He accepted his repentance.
Trust means surrendering totally to God’s Divine agape, mercy, and compassion. In an Orthodox Intercessory Prayer we say, "Remember, O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, Your mercies and loving kindness, which have been from everlasting and for the sake of which You did become man and deign to endure crucifixion and death for the salvation of all who rightly believe in You. You rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, and sit at the right hand of God Father, and regard the humble prayers of all who call upon You with their whole heart. Incline Your ear and hear the humble entreaty of me, Your unprofitable servant, who offers it for an odor of spiritual fragrance for all Your people. And first of all remember Your Holy Catholic and Apstolic Church which You have purchased with Your Precious Blood." Amen..
Not worrying about material things, however, does not mean becoming idle and inactive. One cannot simply wander through life aimlessly and without a goal or purpose in life. In Eastern Orthodox Tradition, idleness (often linked with ACEDIA, or despondency) is viewed not just as wasted time, but as a severe spiritual illness. The noise of idleness refers to the turbulent, restless thoughts, gossip, and temptations that rush into an unoccupied mined, ultimately separating the soul from God. Saint John Chrysostom taught that an inactive soul loses its focus, becoming deeply vulnerable to sinful thoughts, passions, and despair. Idleness breeds a lack of spiritual discipline, causing a slow, imperceptible drift away from God and into vanity, empty laughter, and idle chatter. During Great Lent, Orthodox Christians repeatedly pray: "O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of idleness (laziness), despair, lust of power, and idle talk, "directly addressing this spiritual illness." At the same time, Saint Paul writes, "…"If anyone will not work, let him not eat" –is heavily applied to spiritual life. Work (both physical and spiritual) is seen as necessary to keep the mind focused and leave no "room for sin."
We all heard that only those who do nothing make no mistakes. In spiritual life it is not enough just to do nothing in order not to fall into sin. We literally should work physically and spiritually unceasingly. Saint Joseph of Optina explains why. – "Try not to be idle. Because idleness is the mother of every vice, including despondency and despair."
Christians are engaged in an unceasing and powerful spiritual warfare. All Christians who stand for good must wage a constant battle with the forces of evil. Christians fight back with God’s arms, that is, His Uncreated Divinie energy, given to us and actively used by us. The Holy Apostle Paul writes, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual osts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand" (Ephesians 6:10-13). Just as important as spiritual armor is a Christian’s readiness and alertness: diligent prayer and watchfulness in submission to the Holy Spirit.
All Christian faithful need to be aware of the danger of ‘logismoi’ or evil thoughts. Why? Our Lord tells us: "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man" (Matthew 15:19-20). The evil one has the ability to manipulate and use thoughts to confuse and mislead the believer. To make him or her feel insecure, to attempt to convince one that he is a failure, that he is not loved or respected, that he is a bad person and his situation is hopeless and throws him into depression. As a blessing offered at a baptism states, "evil creates defective reasoning and confusion of thought." We must not entertain or even pay any attention to these wicked thoughts but to instead listen to our Savior Jesus Christ who says, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:29).
Jesus’ "yoke" is submission to the Kingdom of God. A yoke may be the symbol of hardship, burdens and responsibilities. Although it may feel heavy due to our sins, Christ’s yoke is easy. In Him the soul is refreshed and sees that the Lord is gracious.
______
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
+ Saint John Chrysostomos
+ + +
With sincere agape in Christ’s Divine and Glorious Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George
The Eastern Orthodox Christian Ethos 