Life is a Gift from God
 
                                                                                                Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought 
                                                                                                under the sun is grievous unto me. (Eccl.2, 17)
 
There’s not one man on the face of the Earth that has not been tempted to repeat these words of Solomon, realizing at the same time how wrong and sinful they are. This is a true temptation. Evil spirit casts his deadly light upon every dirt and disgust that we come across in our lives, and when seeing it we experience disgust to the whole world and then ask ourselves: is it really worth living and what for? Only to join the voice the screaming society that is boiling in this abyss of sin and temptation?
 
As Christians we should not hate life. While realizing how  imperfect it is, dull and sometimes cruel, we still must love it as the greatest gift from God and know that anyone, who desires so, can learn a lot from it. Life is a battlefield, where we fight for truth against lie and for good against evil. This is a treasure that often gets wasted by people; we must make the best of it and, when the time comes, give it back into the Hands of God, from Whom we received it in the first place. Life is a soil, which suffers a lot from storms and bad weather, but also gets nourished by rains of grace. And finally, this is a gift from God, and how can I hate this gift and condemn what God had blessed?

To be able to love life we should not be searching for what it can give us, but for what we can bring into it instead. If you want to love your life – see what good can you do to others? Can’t you really find a single soul that could benefit from your love, to whom you could bring consolation, support and lead him to God? When enlightened by the works of love, our whole life will change and bloom in the light of this love.

Someone said: “Every day try to do something to decrease the mountain of human suffering and increase the pile of human joy”. Don’t love your life for the sake of self-love, but love it for God, because this is a battlefield where you can stand up for Christ against the sin. And remember, your real life will begin only when you surrender it to the One, Who gave it to you.
 
(Translated by Tatiana Rozzell from “Every Day is a Gift from God. Diaries of an Orthodox Priest” (1905), author unknown)

 

 

The Right Way

                                                                                        To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not
                                                                                         grievous, but for you it is safe. (Phil.3, 1)

Apostle Paul does not mind to repeat same instructions over and over again. He is sure that this repetition is useful for those, who it is directed to. People love and seek all new. In vain the old people offer same books that they learned from to the young people. Youth is not satisfied with them and that’s why the upbringing becomes difficult. A child gets tired of repetition; not having remembered the alphabet he tries to learn the science that is beyond him yet.

We see the same in the spiritual world. We have heard many times that parishioners complain of hearing same over and over in the sermons. But would it be right to leave off something important in lieu of something new, the only unchangeable and eternal?

Truth is one, like God is One and Redemption is one. That is why it should not be boring for a Christian to read  the Word of God over and over again. By reading the Holy Scripture over and over again he will get amazed by something that remained unnoticed last time. Isn’t our unwillingness to read  same over and over again is a sign of our indifference towards the truth, which tells us about salvation and promises eternal bliss? The desire for something new is usually followed by wondering on your own paths.

A man gets detached from the root and he gets disoriented. And soon, not having found the ground, he drags himself into emptiness and gets disappointed in everything  and falls into depression. Only one path was laid for the man from the beginning of times, the path, where all His blessings are concentrated at, which goes with Him and leads directly to Him. This is an old path, but at the same time it is “a new and living way” (Heb.10, 20) This is a firm path, because its beginning and the end is the Word of God; at the same time this is a path where different experiences and wondrous discoveries happen, life-giving springs and everlasting light are everywhere. It is easy to find it, if we find the right door leading to it. Jesus said: “I am the door:  by Me if any man  enter in, he shall be saved“ (Jn.10, 9)

(Translated by Tatiana Rozzell from “Every Day is a Gift from God. Diaries of an Orthodox Priest”(1905), author unknown)

 

You are Free

                                                                                I will run the way of Thy commandments, when Thou 
                                                                                shall enlarge my heart. And I will walk at liberty: 
                                                                                for I seek Thy precepts. (Ps.118, 32, 45)

When our heart is open and enlarged, then it is much easier to obey the Law of God. And when you are being obedient, then your heart is getting enlarged. There’s no controversy in this and everyone can prove it by their own experience. When fulfilling the Will of God, you will learn the truth, and the truth will set you free. When you follow His commandments, you’ll abide in His love, and by abiding in Him, you shall bring forth much fruit (Jh.15, 8)

It is good when the heart is open, instead of being locked up and suffering by fruitless regrets, isn’t it? When your heart is open, you breathe freely, walk straight and fast, not feeling tired and clearly seeing your goal. But not a single man in the world can open up my heart, even if he is able to make me a ruler of a large kingdom. No matter how often I repeat to myself: “I am free”, my heart will be in a lock up and enslaved to sin until the Lord opens it up and frees me from sin and temptation.

We are slaves by nature, but the Lord, in His mercy, gave us freedom. He bought us with His Blood, He told us to touch in faith the redeeming Cross of Jesus Christ and said: “You are free”. Have you heard this voice? Have you felt how heavy chains fell off your feet and your heart got enlarged? You were not able to move, but now you can and should follow your internal calling. Obedience became possible for you, it became effortless and joyful. Huge space is opened up before you and you feel strong and able to walk through it, because you feel free and saved. You can do anything because God did His work in you and you experienced the truthfulness of these words: “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (Jn.8, 36)

(Translated by Tatiana Rozzell from “Every Day is a Gift from God. Diaries of an Orthodox Priest”, author unknown)

  Once upon a time, there was a king. This king wished that his people know what evil was, so that his people could learn to recognize and flee from it. He issued a summons, that, in a year, all of his artists should come to him with one picture, to show what was evil. The best picture would be displayed to the people.

In a year, they all appeared at the king's palace. There were very few artists in the kingdom, but those who were there were very skillful, and worked as they had never worked before. Each brought a picture beneath a shroud.

The king turned to the first artist who had come. "Jesse, unveil your picture, and tell us its interpretation."

Jesse lifted the cloth. Against a background of blackened skulls was a dark green serpent, the color of venom and poison, with eyes that glowed red. "Your Majesty, it was the Serpent whose treacherous venom deceived man to eat of the forbidden fruit. The eye is the lamp of the body, and the Serpent's eye burns with the fires of Hell. You see that beyond the Serpent are skulls. Evil ensnares unto death and outer darkness."

The court murmured its approval. The picture was striking, and spoke its lesson well. The king, also, approved. "Well done, Jesse. If another picture is chosen, it will not be because you have done poorly. Now, Gallio, please show us your work."

Gallio unveiled his painting. In it was a man, his face red and veins bulging from hate. In his hand, he held a curved dagger. He was slowly advancing towards a woman, cowering in fear. "Your Majesty, man is created in the image of God, and human life is sacred. Thus the way we are to love God is often by loving our neighbor. There are few blasphemies more unholy than murder. You have asked me for a picture to show what evil is, that your subjects may flee from it. This is evil to flee from."

The court again murmured its approval, and the king began to shift slightly. It was not, as some supposed, because of the repellent nature of the pictures, but because he had secretly hoped that there would be only one good picture. Now, it was evident that the decision would not be so simple. "Gallio, you have also done well. And Simon, your picture?"

Simon unveiled his picture, and people later swore that they could smell a stench. There, in the picture, was the most hideous and misshapen beast they had ever seen. Its proportions were distorted, and its colors were ghastly. The left eye was green, and taller than it was wide. The right eye was even larger than the left, red, bloodshot, and flowing with blood; where there should have been a pupil, a claw grotesquely protruded. It was covered with claws, teeth, fur, scales, blood, slime, tentacles, and bits of rotted flesh; several members of the court excused themselves. "However it may be disguised, evil is that which is sick, distorted, and ugly."

There was a long silence. Finally, the king spoke again. "I see that there are three powerful pictures of evil, any one of which is easily a masterpiece and well fit to show to the people. Barak, I know that you have been given artistic genius, and that perhaps your picture will help me with this difficult decision. Unveil your picture."

Barak unveiled his picture, and an awestruck hush fell over the court. There, unveiled, was the most beautiful picture they had ever seen. Read more...

Christ is Risen!


God’s Help

                                                                                                I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears (Is.38, 5)

The Lord, in His mercy, said these words to the sick unto death Hezekiah, despite that his sorrow was of earthly, even self-loving, nature: the tears of Hezekiah were caused by the fear of death and desire to live. Nevertheless Lord told him: “I …have seen thy tears”.

It might seem like there is an abyss that divides human weakness from the Devine Greatness. When I cry and suffer under a burden of a burning but earthly sorrow, wouldn’t Lord, in His compassion, see my tears? People’s wisdom says “no”, by Lord in His endless mercy proves to me, that He sees and listens to my tears. And I know that His word is true. People’s help is always limited; people can not learn and comprehend the whole depth and sorrow and need of their neighbor, end even if they could, they would not have neither resources nor time to bring a real help. But Lord, Who sees my tears and knows their cause, conform to my needs and by His great mercy, is always ready to help and comfort me. The comforts of God are mighty and wondrous. They don’t always correspond to the will of my heart, not always heal the cause; but they provide incomparably more than that – they put my soul in peace with everything what has been sent to me. They make it ready to willingly deny everything, what it is deprived of, and moreover, - “passing  through the valley of Baca make it a well“ and my soul goes “from strength to strength”, - glorifying God even for the sufferings, seeing His love in everything. Apostle Paul calls us, “in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let our requests be made known unto God”, not to expect to immediately receive everything we are asking for, but for “the peace of God”, which is always sent to us after we pour our soul out, to fill our whole being. It is said, “Peace of God, which passeth all understanding”. Incomprehensible, unshakable, it comes directly from God, not just for a minute, but to keep both our sorrowful hearts and troublesome thoughts in Jesus Christ. (Phil.4, 6-7)

(Translated by Tatiana Rozzell from “Every Day is a Gift from God. Diaries of an Orthodox Priest”, author unknown)

What Does One Need

                                                                                                                        But one thing is needful (Lk.10, 42)

Our heart often searches very hard where to put itself into. It knocks at one or another earthly door, searching for shelter, but it gets beat up here, and laughed at there, and at the end only emptiness and bitterness are the only things left. And suddenly it hears the words: “But the only thing is needful”. And Heavenly Heart-Watcher suddenly stands before it, Who, knowing a man through out, knowing his dreams and desires, so positively states that only one thing is needful. Man needs connection with God, Who created him for Himself. He needs to accept the Savior, Who came for him to earth so that the man was not orphaned. He needs that power of Spirit, which can turn a hard and defiled heart into a clean heart, revived by God, the one that has the will of God engraved on it. The one, who has obtained that, says that this truly is the only thing that is needful.

Lord, You are saying: “One thing is needful”, - and I respond with my whole heart: “I am content in Your grace, and I do not need anything else!”

There’s not a single Christian, who would not bring praises to the Lord, because it is so good to live with Him; so good that it is better to part with everything and suffer anything that part with Him.

Christ said that the one, who believes in Him, will not hunger: his soul will be completely nourished and will not turn back to the world begging. The truth of these words can be experienced by anyone. “With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation” (Is.12, 3)

(Translated by Tatiana Rozzell from “Every Day is a Gift from God. Diaries of an Orthodox Priest”, author unknown)

 

Bring Forth Spiritual Fruits

                                                                                    Herein is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit (Jn.15, 8)

God can be glorified not only in martyrdom and missionary zeal, but that “we bear much fruit”. God is especially glorified in abundance of spiritual fruits. We won’t have a higher goal; therefore let us reach for it with our prayers and all of desires of our soul. The fruits, that are expected from us, are stated in Galatians 5, 22: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance”. What a treasure! Do I posses even one of them? When year after year, the Lord of the vineyard, comes to  search for fruit on my branches, does He ever find any?

Therefore, the stronger our faith is, the stronger is our love; the more joy and peace we have, the more longsuffering we are; if we are  gentle with our neighbors, then our Heavenly Father is glorified within us.

Spiritual fruit is being brought only by a plant that He planted and which abides in Him. “He that abideth in Me, and I in him; the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing” (Jn.15, 5)

In a wondrous vision of the prophet Ezekiel about a field, covered with dead and dry bones, the whole mankind is compared with them and it is said that the reason for that is that they broke off the root, started to get dry and died at the end. Soul, which does not have a divine root, can not but to dry out and no fruit can be expected off of it. “For in Him we live, and move, and have our being“ (Acts 17, 28). This is the only and necessary condition to be able to bring forth a fruit.

(Translated by Tatiana Rozzell from “Every Day is a Gift from God. Diaries of an Orthodox Priest”, author unknown)

Come Unto Him

                                                                                                        Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden 
                                                                                                        and I will give you rest (Mt.11, 28)

These words have brought encouragement and consolation to many already, and they are directed to all of us, without exception, because there’s not a person in this world, who wouldn’t need them sooner or later. But there are times, when these words attain a special meaning for us. Earthly happiness, rapturous dreams and flaming hope are too soon replaced with disappointment and despair, when we sort of share the sorrow of the whole world.

Aren’t we in this state of spirit right now? Don’t we feel sometimes, after plenty of worry and tribulations, that we come to a complete spiritual lull, complete indifference to everything?

This condition is understandable for an non-believer, but for us, who are happier in the learning of truth and light, - us, for whom the heaven is open, it should not be possible to fall into despair and repeat all the time that we are tired of this life. Haven’t we heard the words: “Come unto Me, all ye that labor…”?

But, you’ll say, that those that labor and are heavy laden have no strength left to make a step towards Christ. However if Jesus requires this effort from me, if He is calling me and wants me to respond to His calling, then by His words He already gives me this strength.  When He says: “Come unto me” – He is already pulling us towards Himself, and His words, full of love, full of mercy, give us strength on this path. When He says: “Ye that labor and are heavy laden”, - we sense a great compassion to our weaknesses and such a great desire to help us, that, awaking from our heavy sleep, we rise up, go toward Him and in Him we find eternal rest for our souls.

(Translated by Tatiana Rozzell from “Every Day is a Gift from God. Diaries of an Orthodox Priest”, author unknown)

Fame
 
                                                                                                                    He must increase, but I must decrease (Jn.3, 30)
 
One of the greatest trials for man is recognition of  his insignificance  before the moral greatness of the other being. One needs a great deal of humility to give place to the coming  luminary recognizing that everything old will be replaced with new powers and new views.

The increasing power of the Savior did not bring even a shade of envy in John the Baptist. Being a strong and influencive person by character, he could have entered into a competition with Christ, he could have lead the easy-influenced crowd after himself and become a founder of a new teaching. But this idea was very far from John the Baptist. Instead he was constantly and humbly directing people’s attention towards Christ. Considering himself a fore-runner of the Savior, he was satisfied with the news of His coming and disappeared at the first view of Christ, like a morning start before the dawn. He immediately recognized the greatness of the coming Savior; and since that moment everything personal disappeared within him and he fell to the feet of Christ, saying: “He must increase, but I must decrease”.

Let us learn this complete humility from John the Forerunner and forget about ourselves in a common deal, being always ready to give place to the other. Let us always keep in mind the common goal that we are trying to reach and don’t get into details, which often slow down the process. What kind of greater results we could have achieved if we did not have to deal with personal feelings and such matters, which often kill the purpose!

Let us, like the Forerunner, be always ready to remain in the shadow, rejoicing for the success of the others and not worry about our own fame. Let us never give place to the evil spirit of jealousy in our hearts and let us pray for the spirit of self-denial and self-rejection. Let us also remember that the main purpose of John the Forerunner was to point out to Christ and his main confession was: “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (Jn.1, 29) He was pointing out to Christ, he was sending people to Him, he was rejoicing about Him and solemnly proclaimed: “The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into His hand” (Jn.3, 35)

And let our hearts repeat this with him. Let us glorify Christ with our lips and deeds, so that “in all things He might have the preeminence” (Col.1, 18), so that we would decrease and He could increase.
 
(Translated by Tatiana Rozzell from “Every Day is a Gift from God. Diaries of an Orthodox Priest”, author unknown)

 

 

Weight of the Cross

                                                                                                Take up your cross, and follow me (Mt.16, 24)

In one of the parables, one very tired woman, exhausted under the weight of her cross, was praying to receive another one, being sure that it would be much easier. She fell asleep and found herself amongst a lot of crossed of different kinds and sizes, which were lying on the ground. She liked one of them – it was small, decorated with beautiful stones and in a golden frame. “Here it is, - she thought, - I could carry this cross without an effort”. But as soon as she picked it up it began to press her with its weight: gold and stones were so beautiful, but their weight was more than she could handle. There was another one, lying right by it, all in flowers. “This must be definitely for me!” – she exclaimed and rushed to lift it up. But there were thorns under the beautiful flowers that were poking her body and causing a lot of pain. Finally, she found a plain undecorated cross, in a simple shape and form, without a rich frame, but it had only one word of love written on it. She picked it up and started to carry. It was the least heavy out of all she tried.

And she recognized her own cross in it, which was such a burden for her before. Lord knows what kind of cross we need and which one we will be able to carry. He measures it according to our strength. But we can not judge the weight of the crosses of others. When living in need we enviously look at the rich, but it might be that the precious stones just add the weight to his cross. Somebody else’s life might seem to us flourishing and cloudless, but we don’t see the thorns, hidden underneath the beautiful roses. Therefore, if we have had a chance to try out all the other crosses that are sent by God to the suffering mankind, we would definitely find out that we would not be able to carry any other cross, but our own, which was chosen by the Lord in His love.

(Translated by Tatiana Rozzell from “Every Day is a Gift from God. Diaries of an Orthodox Priest” (1905), author unknown)