Father Sergius Nezhbort
Every person is
called for something, but it is not always something significant and great.
Perhaps, we are not famous musicians or writers, not architects, but average
simple people, who have a
certain purpose - the purpose of our life. Let it be something simple –
you can sweep with a wisp, wash plates or care for children, but what is
important is that you should do it as good as if it was the main thing in your
life, and give it all your power and inner resources. (After the Divine Liturgy on November 23, 2016)
***
There is a
dichotomy in us, Christians. On the one hand, we live a normal everyday life,
which does not differ from other people’s lives. And in this life we often face
some human weaknesses and disadvantages. On the other hand, we have touched
another life with a part of our soul body. And this life has beaten us. You
know, once a modern poet said the words: “I am wounded with a light arrow, and
no one can heal me”. Perhaps, our hearts are also wounded by the arrow of the
God’s love.
***
If today we see
our personal weaknesses or cannot find anything good in ourselves at all, then
it is not so bad as it may seem. The main thing is that we should look forward,
that we do not give up, but wait and hope for changes. The same is with the
weather: it can be cloudy for one day, another day, for a week… In our region
such weather can last even for several months. But we know that spring will
finally come, so we can see the sun. The same point is applicable in our life –
if we endure all the troubles and falls, if we do not turn from God, then the
sun will shine in us as well. (After the
Divine Liturgy on November 30, 2016)
Father Andrew Lemeshonok
The modern
world is based on advertising. To make people pay attention to something,
to thrill them, you need to find a sensation and something bright. But in a
Christian life everything is quiet and peaceful. The more quiet a person is,
the less attention a person demands, the humbler a person behaves, then the
more grateful to God he is, the stronger the Holy Spirit supports him. The Holy
Spirit is a Quiet Light. The Quiet Light of the God’s love.
Elder Ambrose
of Optina said: know yourself, and that will be enough for you. We do not know ourselves,
but assume that we know all the other. We want to know everything! Why? What
for do we need to know everything? What for is this burden of knowledge? People
are overloaded with information. Nothing new will happen, because everything
has happened already. Christ has come to this world, and His love saved the
humanity, defeated death. That is it! What else do we need? Which news? We just
need to live with Christ and carry our personal cross till the very end. He
that endureth to the end shall be saved (Matthew, 10:22). (After the Divine Liturgy on October 24, 2016)
Father George Glinsky
To help a
person and to support him, at least by word, if we have no possibility to do
more for him, is far more precious than any sacrifices and burntofferings. (After the evening service on October 24,
2016)
Father Andrew Malachovsky
We should
remember that the meeting with God lies ahead, and this is why we should try to
consume all the gifts we have to foster our spiritual development. Not to spend
them for the earthly wealth – house, food, some personal plans, but to become
rich in Christ. And this is always connected with the people, who need our
help. With the sick, the homeless and the hungry, and even these ones who are
imprisoned. God cares about these people and minds our care for them like the
care for Him. (After the Divine Liturgy
in the boarding home on December 9, 2016)
***
Our weaknesses
are our burdens, which we have to carry. However, we certainly should amend.
Just try and you will see that God will warm your soul and enlighten you. God
will grant you everything you need today and everything for your salvation. (After the Divine Liturgy in the boarding
home on November 4, 2016)
Father Alexander Pashkovsky
What is an “old
person”? The one, who lives according to his passions. But we have to learn how
to live with God. It means, we should live according to the commandments God has
given us. And it is very important to understand that it is much easier to cope
with our weaknesses, when we realize that, as the saints say, all our vices
have grown on the soil of our own hearts. It is not just a misfortune, but the
problem of our hearts and our souls. We have to defeat the passions which make
us fall. There is no other way. We only can struggle and win with the God’s
help. (After the Divine Liturgy on
October 13, 2016)
Father Valery Zacharov
We are getting
older, and God gives us new knowledge. We are growing, and God wants to lead us
further, to move us from the kindergarten to the 1st floor in the
school. We confront and do not want to obey, push Him off, but we need to
change. We came in this world to become similar to God. And of course we have
so much to do if we want to achieve this. (After
the akathist in the boarding school on October 21, 2016)
***
God has no deadlocks.
Only we, humans, have deadlocks because of our arrogance. God has the way out
of any situation. The deadlocks we face here, on earth, perhaps could be the
ways which lead right to God, if we do not complain and try to humble ourselves.
(After the Divine Liturgy in the boarding
school on October 21, 2016)
St. Elisabeth Convent,
January 17, 2017
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