Peace of heart

Posted on January 26, 2016 by Semto Mechal

Peace of heart lies in perfect acceptance of God’s will. Only one thing is needed. True simplicity, the calmness that results from complete submission to whatever God wills, patience and forbearance toward the faults of others, frankness in confessing your faults, accepting reproof, and receiving counsel—These are the solid graces that will serve as helpful resources toward your sanctification.

Anxiety comes from not sufficiently accepting whatever happens as coming from God. From the moment you give up all self-will, and seek absolutely nothing but what He wills, you will be free from all your restless anxiety and calculating the future. There will be nothing to conceal. Short of that you will be uneasy, changeable, easily upset, dissatisfied with yourself and with others, full of reserve and mistrust. Your talents, unless chastened and humbled, will only torment you. But once you give yourself up to God, you will be at rest, and you will be filled with the joys of His Holy Spirit.
Never forget God’s will go hand in hand with prayer.
Jesus Prays at Gethsemane Mark 14:35-36
And He went a little beyond them, and fell to the ground and began to pray that if it were possible, the hour might pass Him by. And He was saying, “Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.”

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Keep Silent for the time is evil

Posted on January 22, 2016 by Semto Mechal

Amos 5:13       Therefore at such a time the prudent person keeps silent, for it is an evil time.

The “time” may be either the time of the unyielding of the wicked, or that of the common punishment.  For a time may be called “evil,” whether evil is done, or is suffered in it, as Jacob says, “Few and evil have the days of the years of my life been” Genesis 47:9.  Of the first, he would perhaps say, that the oppressed poor would, if wise, be silent, not complaining or accusing, for, injustice having the mastery, complaint would only bring on them fresh sufferings.  And again also he may mean that, on account of the hardness of the people, the wise and the prophets would be silent, because the more the people were rebuked, the more impatient and worse they became.  So our Lord was silent before His judges, as had been foretold of Him, for since they would not hear, His speaking would only increase their condemnation.  “If I tell you, ye will not believe; and if I also ask you, ye will not answer Me, nor let Me go” Luke 22:67-68.

So God said by Solomon: “He that reproves a scorner gets himself shame, and he that rebukes a wicked man gets himself a blot” Proverbs 9:7. And our Lord bids, “Give not that which is holy unto dogs, and cast not your pearls before swine” Matthew 7:6.  They hated and rejected those who rebuked them. Matthew 7:10. Since then rebuke profited not, the prophets should hold their peace.  It is a fearful judgment, when God withholds His warnings. In times of punishment also the prudent keep silence. Intense affliction is “dumb and opens not its month,” owning the hand of God. It may be too, that Amos, like Hosea Hosea 4:4, Hosea 4:17, expresses the uselessness of all reproof, in regard to the most of those whom be called to repentance, even while he continued earnestly to rebuke them.

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It’s always something

Posted on January 20, 2016 by Semto Mechal

The wedding guests were in place. The grandparents were properly seated in the second row. The mother of the bride had just been escorted to the first row, across the aisle from the groom’s mother and dad. The air was filled with the kind of indescribable excitement that only a wedding can bring.

This was especially true for me, since I was the dad at the back of the church with our daughter Missy on my arm. She had waited a lifetime for this very moment.

The pastor and our future son-in-law were preparing to enter the church from one of the sanctuary’s front doors on the organist’s cue. They checked to be sure that everything was in place. It was, including the wireless microphone clipped to the minister’s robe. Unfortunately, the minister didn’t know that the mike was on!

“Well, Jon,” Reverend DeVries joked to the anxious groom, “You can still back out.” Of course, neither man had any idea that this very private conversation was being broadcast to almost 600 people. The congregation held its collective breath.

“No way,” was all Jon said.

An audible snicker passed over the seated guests like a wave. My wife sighed in relief. The color returned to the faces of Jon’s parents.

Has this ever happened to you? You have done everything in your power to do the right thing. No stone is left unturned. In your opinion, your plan is as perfect as a plan could be. Nothing could have described our daughter’s wedding better than this. But in spite of all of this detailed planning, the technician in the sound booth turned the microphone on too early. It could have been an embarrassing disaster.

Joseph’s brothers had followed his instructions to perfection. They had done everything exactly as they were told to do. But at his master’s command, Joseph’s servant had slipped a silver chalice into Benjamin’s sack of grain, and now these men were being accused of stealing — and they weren’t guilty. So they returned to Egypt and threw themselves at Joseph’s feet, begging for his mercy.

Isn’t it interesting that, even though they were not guilty of this particular charge, they knew they still needed forgiveness? Because of other things theyhad done — selling their brother like a used car, for one — they still needed Joseph’s mercy.

Regardless of how well you and I have planned this day, something will probably go wrong. One of those little unexpected things will pop up, and we’ll be faced with a little — or a substantial — detour.

Well, our merciful Heavenly Father has a little message for us. In spite of the seeming flawlessness of our plans,something will develop a glitch. Count on it. And the lesson to be learned is the one these men learned that day. Perfection is unachievable. God’s mercy is always necessary for our inescapable sinfulness . . . impeccable plans and all.

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The Peace of Christ

Posted on January 6, 2016 by Semto Mechal

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Lk. 2:14

image
Our holy righteous Father John of Kronstadt reposed in the Lord on December 20/January 2, 1908, just a few years before the revolution in Russia that would topple the order that he mentions in this homily. But his message remains timely even to this day—and not only in Russia.
This song to the incarnate God, the Infant Christ, was sung by the angelic hosts on earth at His Nativity. It is a brief song, but its meaning and significance are wise and full of substance. In it is contained and revealed to us the mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God for the salvation of the world. This mystery, in the words of the Church, amazed all the angelic powers.

But where is this peace on earth, which the angels announced to the Bethlehem shepherds?

In Jerusalem itself, the city of David, where was the temple of the living God, there was no peace. When the magi who came from the East to Jerusalem asked, “Where is the King of the Jews Who is born?” King Herod was enraged just to hear it, as was all of Jerusalem with him. In the world empire of Rome, there was no peace. Contemporaries describe in dark colors the moral degradation of the nations, and the deformation of God’s image in people. All manner of defilement and iniquity was practiced then. Idol worship replaced the worship of the one God. Iniquity, shame, satiety, and drunkenness were what comprised mankind’s earthly happiness, aim, and striving. Enmity, civil strife, and disorder reigned everywhere. Pride, inhumanity, and all manner of vice corrupted social and family life.

The period that followed was no better. Terrible persecutions against those who believed in Christ drenched the world in blood over the course of three centuries: brother betrayed brother to torture, husbands betrayed their wives and children, children betrayed their parents. Human relations, blood ties, and family were all profaned and scorned. And in Jerusalem itself, there was the abomination of desolation.

In our times also, societies and kingdoms are also being shaken, international and civil wars and dissention continue, there are heresies and schisms, conspiracies and criminally destructive teachings are intensifying to topple age-old state institutions and foundations of family, civilian, and religious community.

Evil raises its sacrilegious hand against the anointed of God, to whom God Himself has entrusted nations. The savages want to install unbelief atop the sacred remains, destroy the state, the family, and law in the guise of equality and brotherhood.

Where is the peace on earth that the angels proclaimed? Where is the peace brought to earth by the God-man? Where is the peace proclaimed by the Gospels and the Apostles’ preaching that reached to the ends of the earth, to all nations and kings? It is not in the world, for the whole world lieth in wickedness, said the Apostle (1 Jn. 5:19).

This is the mystery sung by the angels: with the coming of the Son of God on the earth, peace began to reign at first in the small, chosen flock—His Church, in the Apostles whom He often taught this peace, and later in the whole kingdom of grace, His Church, which spread throughout the world.

Yes, brothers, a whole kingdom of God’s world is established by the Lord—a kingdom which is eternal, universal, and orderly; with laws, rules, and sacraments; with an order of services, guidelines for life and inter-personal relationships. This kingdom is the holy, Orthodox, Apostolic Church, where there ever abides peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God the Father.

True, the Church of God on earth was always under the cross, always persecuted, and hated. But nevertheless, it always possessed an inner grace-filled peace—even during the cruelest persecutions, for God has always been and always will be in it, delivering it from all calamity according to His word that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Mt. 16:18).

Therefore, every truly believing person who keeps Christ’s commandments, every truly repentant sinner has the peace of Christ within himself, and no external troubles of this world can destroy it—if only that person does not will to step once more upon the path of iniquity and sin.

Therefore, if earthly kingdoms and civil societies in general wish to attain and establish the peace brought to earth by the King of righteousness, peace, and love—our Lord Jesus Christ, then they should be closely united with the kingdom of the Lord, or His holy Church on earth; they should submit themselves to the commandments of Jesus Christ and the rules of His Church. Should these commandments be broken, they should quickly straighten themselves out, after a sincere admission of their mistakes and iniquity. Members of a state that confesses the Christian faith should be kind, honest, and sincerely dedicated members of the Church. Disruption of this union between the Church and state, that is, its citizens, neglect of faith, the commandments, and the Gospels give birth to unbelief and all social disorder and vice, cause moral or political impotence in that society, and deprive it of the blessing of heaven.

Russia as a great nation was always closely tied with the Church; and only within this union was it able to grow, strengthen, and ascend to the heights of its might and glory. May God grant that this union of the state and the Church—this kingdom of peace—always continue! Then Russia will be a kingdom of peace, and God’s blessing will be upon it. Then no sedition will be frightening, because it will not find a place to settle in.

May our Lord Christ reign in our hearts, and may peace and blessing reign with Him! Amen.

St. John of Kronstadt
Translated by Nun Cornelia (Rees)

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St. John Maximovitch: God’s grace always assists those who struggle, but this does not mean that a struggler is always . . .

Posted on December 16, 2015 by Semto Mechal

Icon of St. John the WonderworkerGod’s grace always assists those who struggle, but this does not mean that a struggler is always in the position of a victor. Sometimes in the arena the wild animals did not touch the righteous ones, but by no means were they all preserved untouched.

What is important is not victory or the position of a victor, but rather the labor of striving towards God and devotion to Him.

Though a man may be found in a weak state, that does not at all mean that he has been abandoned by God. On the cross, the Lord Jesus Christ was in trouble, as the world sees things. But when the sinful world considered Him to be completely destroyed, in fact He was victorious over death and hades. The Lord did not promise us positions as victors as a reward for righteousness, but told us, “In the world you will have tribulation — but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world” (Jn. 16:33).

The power of God is effective when a person asks for the help from God, acknowledging his own weakness and sinfulness. This is why humility and the striving towards God are the fundamental virtues of a Christian.

+ St. John Maximovitch

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Repent now or never

Posted on November 28, 2015 by Semto Mechal

Repent

Saint Arsenie Boca was a renowned confessor and a spiritual guide.  He was extremely bothered and concerned about the many people he confessed who refused to change their life, choosing to continue satisfying their desires.  St. Arsenie was fully aware that, in the Day of Judgment, he would be their guarantor for the salvation of their souls.  He thus begged and pleaded with God to reveal to him the reason for which people refuse to abandon their sinful ways.

One day, while he was sitting in a chair within his garden staring at the mountain across from him, he observed that a huge dark cloud appeared on the mountaintop.  There was great commotion and noise coming from within the cloud.  Continuing to attentively stare at it, he suddenly observed that the cloud separated in two and at the very peak of the mountain there was a royal throne surrounded by fire.  On the throne was seated the Enemy of mankind, Satan, surrounded by a plethora of demons.  St. Arsenie was able to clearly follow what was transpiring. He thus hears the Evil One say:

“Which one of you is skillful and clever enough to come up with some kind of a cunning and wicked thought which we will whisper in the minds of people so that we can attract them and draw them to our side?  In this way we can establish a kingdom that is greater than God’s since there is so little time left…”

A demon then appeared who worshiped his leader all the way to the ground and said:

“Excellent leader of the darkness, I consider it proper to whisper into people’s ears that there is no God.”

Satan then said:

“Your wickedness is not the best because we can gain a greater number of souls in a different way.  Let somebody else come up with another idea.”

A second one came and said:

“Excellent leader of the darkness, I suggest that we whisper to them that there is a God but there is no such thing as Heaven or Hell and that this life of theirs simply ends at their grave.”

Satan, after extensive contemplation, said:

“This wicked thought is also insufficient and will not enable us to win many souls.  People will remember that Christ said, as He ascended into Heaven: In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also (John 14:2-3).  The faith of people in these words is unfortunately strong enough to counteract our plans.  People will continue to believe that He will reward all according to their life deeds. Let another one of you suggest something else.”

A third one then came up and after he worshiped his leader all the way to the ground, took the floor and said:

“Most excellent leader of the darkness, I propose that it is much better that we praise people for their faith in God, their belief in the existence of Paradise and Hell, their expectation for the Last Judgment. However and at the same time, let us whisper to them: ‘Do not rush into repentance.  Let repentance be your deed during the latter part of your life.  Death is still far away.  For the time being, enjoy your life, satisfy all of your carnal desires because you have plenty of time left.’  Thus, while we conduct our alluring and magic works, they will grow old without realizing it and reach their life’s end before they can repent.  Death will arrive suddenly and will find them unprepared and they will be ours forever.”

Satan then moved his head acknowledging his satisfaction.  He grunted and squealed with devilish joy and with hasty anxiety told them all: “Quickly, all of you go and do exactly as your colleague indicated.”  It is for this reason that people fulfill their Christian duties in a lackluster manner.  The cunning demons, throughout their life, whisper to them in a tempting way regarding the joys of this world and people obey.  They refuse to change their ways and continue to satisfy their desires and sinful nature, ignoring the advice of the Church regarding true repentance, even in their old age.

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Six Pillars of increasing Faith

Posted on November 10, 2015 by Semto Mechal
  1. Word of God – dwell richly in the word. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing the Word of God. The word of God is the Logos of God or the logic of God and so in order to get His logic we need to eat the Bible.  Let the word of God dwell in you richly in all wisdom.
  1. Love and trust are the two sides of a coin. You can never trust someone you don’t love. Love builds trust. When faith grows, love grows. To love the person you have to know him. Human solution is lack of faith in God.  Because of lawlessness the love many will grow cold. The measure of faith will continue to be love.
  1. Repentance – one of the thing that breaks our faith is sin. When we sin, we don’t have enough humility to say I am sorry. So we just need to say sorry and not justify why we did what we did. When we try to give excuses for our sins, we lose the logic and the value of God. And the result is loss of faith.
  1. Learning from the life of Saints, Martyrs and missionaries.  Faith is contagious when we live with people with great faith.  We need to see the lives of Saints to be encouraged and get their Spirit like Elisha got the double spirit of Elijah.
  1. Life of fellowship that sometimes ones weakness could be the strength of the other.  We need to take from the strength of people in Christ around us.

6.   Eucharist – the bread of life that definitely strengthen our faith. Regular communion            preceded by the Sacrament of confession.

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Love saves

Posted on November 9, 2015 by Semto Mechal

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What it means to love neighbor

Posted on November 4, 2015 by Semto Mechal

love neighbor

What does it mean to love a neighbor?

Roman 12: 1-2  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

It is written in the Scriptures for us to love everyone including our enemies.  One may ask how can we love Christ’s enemies?  Love is preceded by absence of hatred.  If we possess the world with no love, consider our possessions as nothing.

Once an elder asked a layman; “Do you know what it means to love your neighbor? The person  answered, “Yes, it is when you save someone by shielding him from the bullet shot.  The elder said no and started explaining; when your neighbor is seriously ill, and to get the medicine for him, you have to go through the forest at night far away; and if in spite of all kinds of dangers, you still go and save your neighbor – this means love.  If you do so, you will directly ascend to heaven.  That neighbor is the one who offended you and hurt you.  This is what it means to love God and neighbor.  Christ did the same thing.  He came down from His glory to save us when humanity was at its worst.  Then He had to deal with the hypocrisy of men for 33 years to be crucified at the end.  That reasonable service in Romans 12 is more than logical and it means to worship and live according to Christ every single day.

Love without obedience of God is the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16).  Only obedience to God, the only Lord of Creation, gives love its true direction and makes it fully love.  True obedience is thus true love for God.  Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).   The commandment is to offer that reasonable service which includes worship and serving our fellow man every day.  In the old Testament times, daily offering was made every morning.  The sacrifice today is to subject our rational minds and human logic, to the Logic of God and fully live in the Kingdom of God.  There is a long way to go but we must start without delay and get-up when we stumble to stay on the road that takes to that ultimate love.

The Lord our God will demand love for God and the neighbor; whoever holds out to the end will be saved.

Ezekiel 46 : 13-15  “You shall daily make a burnt offering to the Lord of a lamb of the first year without blemish; you shall prepare it every morning.   And you shall prepare a grain offering with it every morning, a sixth of an ephah, and a third of a hin of oil to moisten the fine flour.  This grain offering is a perpetual ordinance, to be made regularly to the Lord.   Thus they shall prepare the lamb, the grain offering, and the oil, as a regular burnt offering every morning.”

Now to our God be glory forever and ever. Amen.

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Worthy is the Lamb who was slain

Posted on October 28, 2015 by Semto Mechal

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