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

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

THE GLORIOUS PROPHET JOHN THE BAPTIST (Part II)

Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn. Fourth Tone

O PROPHET and Forerunner of the Church of God’s coming to us, all we
who with longing now extol thee are at a loss to honor thee worthily.
For thy mother’s barrenness and father’s long silence, by thine all-
renowned and hallowed birth, were both ended, and the Incarnation of
the Son of God is preached unto all the world.

Kontakion Hymn. Third Tone

She that once was barren doth today bring forth Christ’s Forerunner,
John, the culmination and the crown of all of the Prophets. For
when he, in River Jordan, laid his hand on Him Whom the Prophets
preached aforetime, he was revealed as God the Word’s forechosen
Prophet, His mighty preacher, and His Forerunner in grace.

He that was greater than all who are born of women, the Prophet who received God’s testimony that he surpassed all the Prophets, was born of the aged barren Elisabeth (Luke 1:7) and filled all his kinsmen, and those that lived round about, with gladness and wonder. But even more wondrous was that which followed on the eighth day when he was circumcised, that is, the day on which a male receives his name. Those present called him Zacharias, the name of his father. But the mother said, "Not so, but he shall be called JOHN." Since the child’s father was unable to speak, he was asked, by means of a sign, to indicate the child’s name. He then asked for a tablet and wrote, "His name is JOHN." And immediately Zacharias’ mouth was opened, his tongue was loosed from its silence of nine months, and filled with the Holy Spirit, he blessed the God of Israel Who had fulfilled the promises made to their fathers, and had visited them that were sitting in darkness and the shadow of death, and had sent to them the light of salvation. Zacharias prophesied concerning the child also, saying that he would be a Prophet of the Most High and Forerunner of Jesus Christ. And the child John, who was filled with grace and waxed strong in the Spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his showing to Israel (Luke 1:57-80). His name is a variation of the Hebrew, "JOHANAN," which means "Yah is gracious."

The Theotokos Visits Righteous Elisabeth (Luke 1:39-45)

"And Mariam rose up in those days and went into the hill
country with haste, into a city of Juda; and she entered into
the house of Zacharias, and greeted Elisabeth" (Luke 1:39-40).

The Virgin visited Ein Karem, located about five miles west of Jerusalem, but some eighty miles from Nazareth. To walk this distance would have taken the Virgin and her companions approximately thirty hours. "And it came to pass, as Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit" (Luke 1:41).
Saint Ephraim writes: "Our Lord prepared His Herald in a dead womb, to show that he came after a dead Adam. He vivified Elisabeth’s womb first, and then vivified the soil of Adam through His body."

"And she cried out with a loud voice, and said, "Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb" (Luke 1:42). Saint Bede states: "Her voice was not so much loud as one devoted. She was not capable of praising the Lord with the devotion of a moderate voice. Being full of the Holy Spirit, she was on fire, harboring in her womb one of whom none of those born of woman would be greater. She rejoiced that He (the Christ) had come there–He was conceived from the flesh of a virgin Mother. And, "indeed, ‘blessed is the fruit of thy womb,’ says Elisabeth "since through thee (Mary), we have recovered both the seed of incorruption and the fruit of our heavenly inheritance, which we lost in Adam."

"And whence in this to me, that the Mother of my Lord should come to me?" (Luke 1:43).

The Virgin’s birth-giving was confirmed beforehand by aarren eldress’ marvelously flowering forth. Righteous Elisabeth is the first to address Mary with the sublime salutation of "the Mother of my Lord" (η Μήτηρ του Κυρίου μου). An early Father who used the title "Theotokos" Saint Athanasios the Great: "He took flesh of a virgin, Mary Thetokos (Θεοτόκου), bearer of God, and was made Man."

The title "Theotokos" was formally held sacred at the Third Ecumenical Synod (431 A.D.) in Ephesus. Saint Kyril of Alexandria (444 A.D.) states: "I am amazed if some should question at all whether the Holy Virgin should be called the Mother of God. For if our Lord Jesus is God, how is the Holy Virgin who bore Him, not the Mother of God? The inspired Disciples transmitted this faith to us, even if they have not made mention of the term. Thus have we been taught to think by the Holy Fathers."

Saint John of Damascus (675-749 A.D.) wrote: "We hold that God was born of her, not implying that the Divinity of the Logos/Word received from her the beginning of its being, but meaning that God the Logos/Word Himself, Who was begotten of the Father timelessly before teh ages, and was with the Father and the Spirit without beginning and through eternity, took up His abode in these last days for the sake of salvation in the Virgin’s womb, and was without change made flesh and born of her. Hence, it is with justice and truth that we call the Holy Mary the Mother of God. For the name, "Theotokos," embraces the whole mystery of the dispensation.“

"For behold, as the sound of thy salutation came into mine ears, the babe in my womb leaped in exultant joy" (Luke 1:44)

Saint Ambrose said, "Elisabeth was indeed the first to hear the voice of Mary, but John was the first TO FEEL HIS LORD’S GRACIOUS PRESENCE. Sweet is the harmony of prophecy with prophecy, of woman with woman, of babe with Babe. The women speak words of grace, the babes move in a hidden manner. And as their mothers approach one another, so do they engage in a mysterious converse of love. And in a twofold miracle, though in diverse degrees of honor, the mothers prophecy in the Spirit of their little ones. Who, I ask, was it that performed this miracle? Was it not the Son of God, Who made the unborn be?"

"And happy is she who believed, for there shall be a fulfillment of those things which were spoken to her from the Lord" (Luke 1:45).

Saint Ambrose writes: "You see that Mary did not doubt, but believed, and therefore, obtained the fruit of faith…Let the soul of Mary be in each…For every soul receives the Logos/Word of God, PROVIDED THAT UNDEFILED AND UNSTAINED BY VICE, IT GUARDS ITS PURITY WITH INVIOLATE MODESTY." (Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church)

_________
"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

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

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

THE NATIVITY OF THE HONORABLE AND GLORIOUS PROPHET AND BAPTIST,
JOHN THE FORERUNNER.

Jesus speaking to crowds commending John, saying,
"Verily I say to you, there hath not arisen among those
born of women, a greater than John the Baptist" [Matthew 11:11].

"There arose in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest,,
by name Zacharias, of the course of Abia. And his wife was of the 735
daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth" (Luke 1:5).

Saint Bede the Venerable (673-735 A.D.): "David divided those descending from the stock of Eleazar and those from the stock of Ithamar into twenty-four sections, choosing individuals from each section as high priests… David set up these sections in such a way that the individual high priests, along with the priests, along with the priests who were under them, should minister for eight successive days, that is, from sabbath to sabbath…In the distribution of the lots as to be order among these sections, it fell that Abia, from whose priestly division and generation Zacharias sprang, occupied the eighth place. It was fitting that the herald of the New Covenant, in which the glory of the Resurrection was declared to the world, was born in the place of the eighth lot, both because our Lord rose from the dead on the day after the sabbath, and because we are promised at the end of time AN EIGHTH AGE OF EVERLASTING RESURRECTION."

Blessed Theophylact (1107 A.D.): "When Solomon finished building the Temple, he also established the division or courses (εφημερίας) for the service of the Temple, that is, who should serve for any given week. For instance: one week there was appointed, perhaps, the sons of Kore, and for the next week, the sons of Asaph, and the next week, the sons of Abia…Therefore, ‘Zacharias, of the course of Abia,’ ought to be interpreted thus: that he wa of the week of service assigned to Abia. Zacharias did not perform his priestly service after the week Abia served."

"And they were both righteous before the face of God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless" (Luke 1:6).
Saint Ephraim the Syrian (306-373 A.D.): "That they were blameless is stated lest it be said that it was because of their wrongdoing that they had not had any children."

"And they had no child, inasmuch as Elizabeth was barren, and they both were now advanced in their days" (Luke 1:7).
"And it came to pass, as he was serving as priest in the Presence of God in the order of his course" (Luke 1:8), "according to the custom of the priestly service, he obtained the lot to burn incense after he entered into the temple of the Lord" (Luke 1:9).
"And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense" (Luke 1:10).
"And an Angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right of the altar of the incense" (Luke 1:11)

Saint Bede: "Gabriel stood beside the altar of incense to teach that he had come as the herald of a New Covenant. There were two altars in the Temple, which expressed the two covenants in the Church. The first, the altar of burn offerings, which was plated with bronze and was situated in front of the doors of the Temple, was for the offering up of victims and sacrifices; it signified the fleshly-minded worshippers of the Old Covenant. And then there was the altar of incense which was covered with gold and set near the entrance of the Holy of Holies where fragrant gums were burnt. This signified the interior and more perfect GRACE OF THE NEW COVENANT. The Angel stood on the right to point out that he was promising earthly and lowly things, but the joys of heavenly and everlasting happiness."

"And after Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him" (Luke 1:12).

"But the Angel said to him, ‘Cease being afraid, Zacharias, because thine entreaty was heard; and
thy wife Elisabeth shall bear a son to thee, and thou shalt call his name John" (Luke 1:13).

Saint Athanasios the Great (296-373 A.D.) "Whenever the soul continues to be fearful, it is the enemy who is present. The evil spirits do not dispel the fear of their presence, as the Great Archangel Gabriel did for Mary and Zacharias.

Saint Bede: "The high priest did not pray for his own private concerns, asking for children, when he had completely abandoned hope of begetting any. But he was entreating for the salvation of his people. Thus, there would be born to him a son who would be a Prophet, who would turn this people to the way of truth. Soon after there would follow the Savior Himself. Now, "whenever in the Scriptures a name is imposed or changed…by God, it is indicative of great praise and virtue. It as good that our Redeemer’s Forerunner was ordered to be called John. The name John means ‘THE GRACE OF THE LORD" or "IN WHOM THERE IS GRACE." He received a special grace beyond other Saints, that of being Christ’s precursor. He came to proclaim a previously unheard of grace to the world: that of entry into heaven. Therefore, he who was full of grace himself and who brought the Good News of God’s grace to the rest of mankind expressed even by his name a proclamation of grace. It was rightly foretold that there was to be cause for exultation for many persons at his birth, since it was through him that the Author of their regeneration was manifested to the world."

"And he shall be joy and exultation to thee, and many shall be glad over his birth" (Luke 1:14).
"For he shall be great before the face of the Lord, and in no wise shall drink wine and strong
drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb" (Luke 1:15).

Saint Ambrose: "He here announced greatness, not of body but of soul. Greatness of soul before the Lord of virtue… Thus John would be great–not through bodily virtue but through magnanimity. He did not enlarge the boundaries of an empire. He did not prefer military triumphs and honors. Rather, what is more, he disparaged human pleasures and lewdness of body, preaching in the desert with great virtue of spirit. He was a child in worldliness, but great in spirit. He was not captivated by the allurements of life, nor did he change his steadfastness of purpose through a desire to live."

"And many of the sons of Israel shall he turn around und to the Lord their God" (Luke 1:16).

Saint Ambrose: "We do not lack evidence that Saint John converted the hearts of very many. On this point, the Prophetic and Gospel writings support us– "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; be making His path straight" (Isaiah 40:3; Matthew 3:3)" –and frequent baptisms of candidates declare to the nations that progress was made by no small a throng of converts. Indeed, when they believe John, they believe Christ. For the messenger of Christ preached not of himself, but of the Lord." (Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church)

[To be continued]

___________

"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

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
+ + +

With sincere agape in His Divine and Glorious Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+ Father George

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

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

OUR UNDIVIDED COMMITMENT TO OUR MASTER, GOD, AND SAVIOR
JESUS CHRIST.

"Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone
said to Him, ‘Lord I will follow You wherever You go." And Jesus
said to him, ‘Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests,
but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head. Then He said
to another, ‘FOLLOW ME’" (Luke 9:57-59).

There are various kinds of commitments that one makes in his lifetime. Some are commitments to a profession, to a vocation, to a movement, to a friend, to a spouse, to a country, to family, to a church, to medicine, to missions, to truth, to military service, to a charity, etc. Considering my pledge or promise to dedicate much of my life to a person or cause is extremely important and reflecting upon my commitment it cannot be decided without knowing first what is expected of me. What kind of sacrifice is required of me, to what end, and for how long? But there is another serious commitment that I need to make, to my Savior Jesus Christ. What kind of commitment does He require of me? Am I ready spiritually to make a life-long commitment to follow Him? Am I willing to make Him my first priority? It is interesting that in the Divine Liturgy we are constantly reminded to commit ourselves to Christ. We petition, "Let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God."

If we were to examine closely the above petition "to commit ourselves to Christ" we will understand that we are pledging to serve and love Him unconditionally forever. However, there is a cost to DISCIPLESHIP. Our Lord Jesus Christ teaches that there are three such costs: (1) Provision for personal security does not mix with true discipleship. The disciple will be no more secure than the Teacher. If the Teacher has nowhere to lay His head, neither will be the disciple. (2) Discipleship demands singular commitment to the Kingdom of God. A disciple must be willing to let the spiritually dead bury the physically dead. (3) Discipleship does not look back to reconsider, or operate with a delayed response. It means taking hold of THE COMMISSION GIVEN BY CHRIST AND MOVING FORWARD. Jesus reminds of this when He says, "No one having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, IS FIT FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD" (Luke 9:62). Our commitment to Christ must never be changed once made. The cost of his/her discipleship is self-denial, carrying one’s cross (a symbol of suffering) and obedience to Christ. By saying "let him deny himself, and take up his cross (Mark 8:34), Jesus means His followers should separate themselves from their sins and from the inclination of their hearts towards evil and crucifying the flesh with its passions and desires. This is true commitment!

Commitment to Christ means to follow Him but it also means to be obedient to Him, to implement His commandments in our life, to live a life of virtue, holiness, to follow Him through our thoughts, feelings, and deeds, to become His instrument of love and philanthropy, to preach His Gospel, to accept suffering and sacrifice for the sake of Christ and His Kingdom. Discipleship is costly: it requires giving up all claim to everything the world holds dear. Therefore, along with a sincere commitment, a Christian needs to be willing to give of himself to God and others. A commitment is not founded on emotionalism or sentimentality but on deep conviction and courage.

No commitment should be made in a flippant manner especially if it may lead to suffering and death. Christians have suffered many great tribulations throughout the centuries. However, It also requires genuine humility. Jesus teaches His Disciples that very fact when He tells them: "You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall NOT be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave to all" (Mark 10:42-44). Service is characteristic of true greatness. Whether it is about our commitment to our Lord or spreading His message of salvation to the world we depend on Him for inspiration, enlightenment and guidance. Jesus Himself speaking to His Disciples says, "For without Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). No one can bear good fruit without Christ God. The Christian who truly understands Who Christ is will never seek to act independently of Him but always in cooperation with Him and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" (Luke 22:48). There is nothing more repugnant and painful, than to be betrayed by someone he or she trusted. Our Lord had this tragic experience with his disciple Judas whom He trusted and loved. A commitment requires trust and complete devotion to a friend, to a spouse, to God. To be unfaithful, to betray, to be untrustworthy, to compromise one’s commitment is incomprehensible, and evil. It causes great hurt and irreparable damage to any relationship. Jesus of course shows us how to treat cruel and merciless people when He said, "Father,forgive them, for they do not know what they do" (Luke 23:34). When one commits himself to someone else it is a life-long investment to that someone. That investment should be honored, respected, appreciated, and be reciprocated by the other person. "Let us commit ourselves to one another" is the true Christian attitude to have because it means that we should always help one another, to be there for each other, especially at times of sorrow, pain, and danger. To be supportive and to truly care for eachother. Remember always that we are not our own and are to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy OF THE GREAT PRICE PAID FOR OUR REDEMPTION.

___________
"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

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

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

THE NEED TO POSSESS COMPUNCTION (Κατάνυξις)
IN YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE

Man is known for his obstinacy. his unyielding. unreceptiveness, and lack of sensitivity. Much of that attitude is attributed to false pride and rudeness. In his spiritual life that can be translated as his deliberate defiance and obedience to God Himself. He may feel in his superego that he cannot be held accountable for his actions, even the Lord. The further one finds himself from the Eternal Source of Agape (love) the harder his heart becomes. It is love that softens one’s heart and it is love that should pierce one’s heart but not the artificial human love that we have come to know here on earth but the Divine Love of God. Another reason for man’s hard heart is the lack of faith in God and the absence of selfless kind of love, instead he is controlled by a self-seeking love.

We say and believe that all good things come down from heaven. Everything good is a Divine gift to man by God, including the power or ability of discernment and κατάνυξις (compunction). Saint John Climacus writes: "Great is the power of this compunction–greater than that which comes as a result of our effort and meditation." Saint John also states: "Compunction is an eternal torment of the conscience which brings about the cooling of the fire of the heart through silent confession. "Hold fast to the blessed and joyful sorrow of holy compunction" saint John writes, "and so do not cease laboring for it until it lifts you high above the things of the world to present you, a cleansed offering to Christ."

If we are looking for a way to soften our heart, to bring it warmth, to free it from impurities, we must allow God to touch its very core and to revive it through His Grace, the Grace of the Holy Spirit. To penetrate it and give it a new life. When our heart is pierced with God’s grace and love the heart will be healed and be transformed and renewed. Κατάνυξις (compunction) is translated as slumber. from the word κατανύσσω meaning pricked at heart or a deep sleep. Saint Issac the Syrian writes: "Compunction is the pain of the heart, or of the broken and contrite heart, that God does not despise. Sometime, however, we wonder: is the pain of heart that I am experiencing godly compunction? Are the tears the "gift of tears" that the Holy Fathers and Mothers speak about? Certainly there is such a thing as selfish tears, tears of self pity and anger. There are also tears of laughter and sentimentality. In my experience, it is usually easy to identify selfish tears. What I cannot identify in my own experience are tears that are godly, that are given by God and offered to God as prayer…whenever I feel compunction, pain of heart, and that pain leads to tears, I offer the tears to God as prayer. Sure it is impure prayer. All of prayer is impure. There is nothing pure in me. Yet all I have to offer to God is the mixed mess that I am. Saint Isaac also says, "that the fullness of prayer is the gift of tears."

Saint Issac states: "When I am feeling this compunction, I cannot say prayers. I cannot read. I can only sit or stand in pained silence with no thoughts at all, just an overwhelming sense of sadness that is sometimes, but not often, slowly overcome by hope. Most often the prayerful experience of compunction leaves as my thoughts distract me–almost always thought of how i can or should, or might "fix" things. The pain remains, but the prayer is gone. That’s when I have to return to the prayers, to psalmody and reading.

Furthermore, Saint Isaac says, "And yet my experience has the faint fragrance of something. And if all I have to offer God is something that smells faintly putrid, so be it. It is what I have. It is what I am. And in the end, that is all any of us have to offer to God: OURSELVES." Saint John Climacus states: "True compunction brings consolation while that which is bogus produces self-esteem. Like the fire that consumes the straw, so do real tears consume the impurity of body and soul." According to Psalm 144:17, "The Lord is just and is holy. Saint John Climacus, "He leads the inwardly silent man to inward compunction, and every day He brings joy to the one who is inwardly obedient. But he who does not practice compunction or submission with sincerity is deprived of mourning."

"Mourning which according to God is a melancholy of the soul, a depression of an anguished heart that passionately seeks what is thirsts for, and when it fails to attain it, pursues it diligently and follows behind it lamenting bitterly, wirtes Saint John Climacus…Hold fast to the blessed and joyful sorrow of holy compunction and do not cease laboring for it until it lifts you high above the things of the world to present you, a cleansed offering, to Christ." Our ascetic struggle strives to be "a cleansed offering for Christ." God purifies the hearts of those who have sincere faith no matter their background, nationality or origin (Acts 15:9). God "makes no distinction between us or between races in offering the gift of salvation in Christ. All good things will happen and as Saint Paul says, "in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7). "As the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another, even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do" (Colossians 3:12-13).

Our Lord Jesus Christ wishes "to dwell in your hearts through faith, that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints, what is the width and length and depth and height–to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge that you may be filled with all the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:17-19). It is prudent, therefore, that all faithful Christians remain steadfast in their faith in Christ Jesus and to live according to His Resurrection! Seek your "true life" in Christ awaiting the heavenly and glorious revelation. As baptized Christians we died with Christ, so we must will to experience death daily by "killing" old sinful and disintegrating passions (cf. Col.3:5). As we were raised with Christ, so we must will to experience life daily by the virtuous and unifying desires of the "new man" which we all are in the body of Christ.

__________
"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