GOSPEL MESSAGE & RECORDING
During these uncharted times of COVID-19, we encounter many challenges like never before. We are very worried and anxious about our health and the health of our loved ones. Furthermore, because of the political and social condition of our world, especially our country, the United States, we feel even more anxious about the times we are living in. Why do we fear? Why are we anxious? Why are we worried so much?
Here are some reasons why we should not fear, be anxious or worry:
Jesus is Coming Again
We are in uncertain times but there is one certainty that each one of us has as Orthodox Christians and that is Jesus Christ is coming back to reign as Lord and King. In the Books Acts 1:11, the time of the Ascension of our Lord; the Angel said to the disciples, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” The Angel is speaking of the second coming of Christ. Then again in the Pauline epistle read today, we hear about the second coming, “But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you, yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night.” (1 Thess. 5:1) The second coming of Christ is a hot topic these days because of the unrest and uncertainty of our time. As in all generations before us, when calamities and unrest occurred there were predictions that the second coming was soon approaching. It is the same for us today. However, for us Orthodox Christians, it is always the end times, because we are always awaiting the coming of our Lord. And as such we have an eternal hope that this earthly existence is not the end.
Death is Life
There is a story of a 2nd-century saint. St. Blendina. Her martyrdom is an example for us, especially during this time, on how we must not so much as strive to live, but be willing to die, so that in death we may be alive in Christ.
Most formidable was the persecution, which raged over the Gallic Churches of Lyons and Vienne, in the year 177, A.D. The rage of the adversary was great, and no torture too cruel to be employed by him against the followers of Christ; but still greater was the steadfastness of the sufferers, and again still greater was the inspiration, which God poured into their hearts during their “fiery trial.” Truly might each one of “the martyrs of Lyons” apply to himself the Apostle’s words: “I can do (bear) all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). And yet, so much confidence not one of them would venture to assume as true of himself. Their weakness was their strength. They were sustained not by their own arm, but by the arm of the Almighty. Conscious of their trepidation, with bodies vibrating with the anticipated, torture, with hearts writhing under the agonies of their fellow-sufferers, yet with minds fully bent and set to meet death heroically, each one of them might, with more propriety, adopt that other word of Paul’s: “I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake, for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10).
First, here we see that St. Blendina relishes in weakness. Today we face many weaknesses—financially, physically, emotionally, and mentally—but as St. Blendina, use that as a tool for strength. We should find the courage within ourselves to take these “minor spiritual martyrdoms” and use it to build our faith.
Second, death for the Saint was not an end but a beginning. I am not at all advocating that we should invite death, but rather that we should not be afraid of it. I will also say that we should not go looking for death but rather be ready for it. During these times may we increase our prayer and fasting, cherish the taste of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, and make these times that we are facing, times that we die to self and live courageously.