By
Father Andrew Lemeshonok
The Orthodox Christians have the Nativity Fast from
November 28 to January 6. Fasting is voluntary. However, people are terrified and
think, “How can I read all prayers and abstain from food when my health is so
poor?” The person does not trust God...
We should be aware of the fact that we
need God because without Him we will fall prey to the devil. This is for real.
We start to sin without God. The holy life, the divine life appears to be an
intolerable burden. The Lord tells us, “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is
light” (Matthew 11:30). My soul shall be joyful in my God (Is.61:10). The Lord
invites everyone to the feast of faith. The fast, the worship, and everything
that is and will be going on in the church aims at uniting man with God, at
helping man to find God and get to love Him so much, get drawn to him to such
an extent that he would acknowledge that he cannot do anything without God.
How much time do we have? Not much. Therefore, we
should use it rationally. We cannot waste it on trifles. One can become holy in
any place. Who makes it impossible for us? God is everywhere. Wherever there is
God, there is goodness. We all are sinners but we all can become saints.
We should get off the earth. It does not mean that we
should stop paying attention to what happens to us and around us. No, but we
should not pay attention to the temporary and vanishing things, and seek for
the everlasting and authentic things instead. We should look for the only thing
we need. The Lord says, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his
righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew
6:33).
By Father Andrew Lemeshonok, November 27, 2013
St. Elisabeth Convent
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