Mission Monthly Newsletter March 2000

...Meditate on These Things. Phillipians 4.8

"We are tempted by this ‘fast-food’ culture to want everything now, but the spiritual journey demands patience for we receive blessings in God’s time not our own."

Bishop Joseph
Auxiliary to the Metropolitan
Antiochian Archdiocese

Every day we need to remind ourselves of this patient “journey.”  We are a people in motion, moving from this place to that, usually with great ease of effort and accomplishment.  Occasionally one may stumble.  Occasionally unforeseen events may hinder one’s plans [for a time] only to see the creative and courageous uncover new pathways to “good fortune.”  Often to our detriment, in these days of enormous opportunity little time may be needed to achieve a comfortable standard of living, certainly enough for even the unambitious to gain a sense of self-determined pride.  The “fast-food” culture has transcended even itself, affecting some aspect of every person’s life with the dangerous promise of rapid (if not immediate) gratification; from our professional ambitions to the raising of our children; from education to politics; from hobbies to personal and financial freedom.

     In this “land of opportunity” we are indeed tempted.  We are tempted to want more, do more, get more, be more, often in a not-so-subtle chorus of inner entitlement.  “Don’t we all deserve the good life?” goes the restless refrain of the instilled message of the American Dream.  But while our outer man is being “made” often our inner man is being devoured.  While our bodies are being adorned our souls are being scourged.  While our minds are being entertained our consciences are being brutalized.  Such carelessness may even strip away our God-given gifts of conscience, freedom and true joy, exchanging them for the temporary and enslaving passions of physical, intellectual and material indulgence.

     This is a harsh critique of the “fast-food” culture to be sure, but not difficult to see.  Look around and examine the fruit of our “progress” - a morally confused and ethically disoriented society.  Indeed, to work hard is hard work!  It is also necessary and good.  But if when earning a responsible living we distort God’s image and His intent for every man, our self-determined ways will be our undoing.

     By the grace of God many are awakening to the lurking dangers of a world driven solely by personal interest.  Many are courageous enough to admit their own spiritual immaturity born from the legacy of material obsession.  We joyfully awaken from spiritual slumber, though like Rip Van Winkle we are uncertain of what we will find.  One thing is for certain: there is much work to do and the time to do it is now!  Sincere Orthodox Christians everywhere are eagerly rediscovering the nurture of conscience through the sacrament of Holy Confession, a wonderful foreshadowing of the slow unearthing of buried talents for the glory of God.

     We can never forget our own embedded inclinations in this “fast-food” culture.  As we seek repentance and the desire to once again set our feet firmly upon the path of the “narrow way” we cannot do so with formulas for success and achievement.  We must simply seek obedience and fidelity to God’s Word in the uncompromising life of His Church.  This in itself is a monumental task in the frenzied waters to which we are accustomed.  Great Lent is THE most wonderful time to begin.  We begin in silence as we embrace the sacrifices of this holy time.  We begin with a settled willingness to wait,  moment by moment, week by week, for God’s loving, faithful touch.  Let us set our sights on such quietness and faithfulness, and patiently await the blessing, His blessing, found only in the brilliant light of His glorious Resurrection!