Mission Monthly – December 1997
“…you should be living a good Orthodox Christian life, one with a level of asceticism proper to your station as lay persons. Asceticism comes from the Greek (ahs-kee-tees-mos) meaning ‘a whole system of personal discipline for the purpose of combating vice and developing personal virtues.’ In the Orthodox Tradition, such a system includes a personal prayer life, daily spiritual reading—including the scriptures, frequent confession with a spiritual father of your choice, frequent communion, fasting, alms giving, and as much as possible, regular participation in the liturgical life of your parish. When we immerse ourselves in the life of the Church in all its aspects, then and only then do we begin to understand what the Church is teaching us …”
Bishop DEMETRI
Auxiliary Bishop to the Antiochian Archdiocese of North America
One of the tragedies of our modern “throw-away culture” are magazines which come and (most often always thankfully) go; yet occasionally with them go articles that are true gems. Before I file away (not throw away) my copy of the October issue of our Archdiocese’s THE WORD magazine, I desire with much anticipation to revisit and reflect upon the text of the wonderful lecture presented by our own Saidna DEMETRI at the 12th Annual Sacred Music Institute.
This is a lecture that I wish I could’ve heard and though it is directed towards those involved in the Church’s music ministry its application is absolute for all who witness to the name “Orthodox Christian.” The whole text is enriched and yet simply put, clear and challenging. In a recent conversation with Saidna he told me, “Father, we need to speak so that the simplest of our brethren can understand.” If only we could all do as well as Saidna did in this lecture!
Will it ever become easy to understand the essence of this faith which commands us, guides us, disciplines us and loves us? Maybe! Will it ever become easy for us to do what we are told and truly live our faith? Probably not! But we can and certainly must try, again and again and again. When I look at all the tasks which His Grace has laid out before us I, like many of you, say, “It is a lot!” But then the word “immerse” catches my attention. I’ve heard this word used many times; “He is immersed in his work;” “She is immersed in her education;” “That young man sure immerses himself in his athletic training;” “Grandma is totally immersed in her family.” What else can we expect from people who want to “succeed” in the things they desire, pursue and love? But what about our relationship with God and the skills of living our faith? Does not this demand our immersion as well? Many in our society would like to think not and I believe that many in our own faith have determined that the above guidelines are optional (leaving their exercise to those “responsible” for the Faith—the clergy and the monastic). For those who might believe this, they could not be further from the truth. Saidna DEMETRI’s quote ends by saying, “When we immerse ourselves in the life of the Church in all its aspects, then and only then do we begin to understand what the Church is teaching us… ” If it could be said more strongly I would say it right now, but I do not believe it could be said any more strongly or plainly; “then and only then!” If you want to have a relationship with God, this is the only way!
I have been blessed to know people who have indeed immersed themselves in this life and have received the grace and born the fruit of holiness and righteousness. For those who know the joy of life found only in following the loving boundaries of the life of the Church, may God continue to bless your holy journey with encouragement in your struggles and humility in your joy. For those whose conscience is telling you that you have not made the effort and that you are letting the other immersions of your life dominate your time and steal your concentration, you need to know that faith, like love, is action and to receive the benefits of faith you have to act. Orthodox Christian action is simply this, “…a personal prayer life, daily spiritual reading—including the scriptures, frequent confession with a spiritual father of your choice, frequent communion, fasting, alms giving, and as much as possible, regular participation in the liturgical life of your parish.”
I cannot say that I have been given the grace of a holy and righteous life but I can say that I know the joy of the struggle in getting there. Please, let us all join in this blessed struggle, for it is Emmanuel, “God with us,” who commands and follows, offers and receives, lives and dies. “Is the servant greater than the Master?” This is our true immersion, the only one that matters! God will care for those a hundred fold who give up all to serve His Holy Name! Let no sin, no passion, no person stand in our way, as our God-bearer, Saint Ignatius of Antioch said, “Only let me get to Christ!” May God bless and guide us as we walk this road to Him; may He take away our fears and support our weakness; and may He let us know the love that awaits us when we truly immerse our lives in Him!