## The Keys to a Successful Life
### Published on Jan 30 2013 By Rev. Fr. Aju Philip Mathews, Former Assistant Vicar of St. Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral of Philadelphia
Let me begin by acknowledging that the title of my devotional is a bit pretentious given that my life has been far from successful ineverything I have set out to do. Also, I am far from an expert on experiencing success as the world has defined it. But it is within that last statement that I find the reason to even comment on such a topic. See, the world has always defined success for us. Success is having wealth, never being hungry or needy. Success is having a good name in the communities we live. Success is having health, being fit and beautiful in the eyes of society that is constantly judging us. And with the new year upon us and many unattainable resolutions about our successes, goals, and life changes for the year hanging above our heads, I felt like we could use a look at this with some fresh eyes.
Recently, at a housewarming, I heard a brother priest preach to the family about what true love and happiness was. He taught that the Gospel story of Zacchaeus gave us insight into the moment that a person can truly achieve happiness and true success. Until Zacchaeus the tax-collector had heard about Jesus, his life was about achieving success and happiness. He was the typical tax-collector of his time: greedy, opportunistic, parasitic, and concerned about only one person: himself. Yet, when he had heard about a rabbi named Jesus, who promised eternal life and true peace, Zacchaeus jumped at the opportunity to go to see Him. Making an extreme effort to see, the short Zacchaeus climbs the sycamore tree. There, Jesus sees him, invites Himself to his house. Zacchaeus joyfully receives the Lord, despite the complaints of the people. The presence of the Lord in Zacchaeus’s house changes Zacchaeus. He is still a man who is looking for success and happiness, but those things are no longer tied to this world. Zacchaeus knows true salvation and joy in his life, when he not only gives back what he wrongly took, but when he gives it back four fold. And, when he gives half of what he has to the poor. When he gives back to the needy and gives of himself enough to hurt his financial and social status, Jesus says to him, “Today salvation has come to this house…” Success!
And isn’t that really what the true meaning of love is? To give until it hurts. To sacrifice so that we might know what it is to want, the way a babe wants nothing more than the touch and care of his/her mother. No amount of toys or fancy clothes or status symbols makes a child happier than to know the love and care of its’ mother. That should be our relationship to our Lord: To want Him with our whole heart, soul and mind
Our success is directly tied to our dependence on Christ and our independence from our mortal ties. This is not to say that the world is evil. All that the Lord creates is good, as we read in Genesis. However, we know that when our ties to earthly things supersede our ties to heavenly things, we never truly know happiness. What we build up in homes, cars, and material wealth can be easily torn down by strong winds and rain, as people in New Orleans, the Jersey Shore and New York can attest to. What we build up in our status and name can just as easily be destroyed by news of our one wrong-doing or weakness. Like our Lord says, until we are willing to give up house and home, family and friends, to take up His Cross, we will not be able to enter the Kingdom. That Kingdom is true success, unending joy, and eternal happiness. We have to let our hands free of the things that perish in order to hold onto the things that never perish.
May the Spirit of Wisdom and Truth fill our hearts with strength and courage to love until it hurts.

## “Do not fear, little flock”
### Published on Feb 6, 2013 by Joe Varghese (General Secretary, Diocese of South-West America Sunday School), Chicago, (630) 362-5280 Email: vargh3se@gmail.com
Luke 12:32-48 (Gospel Reading for February 3rd, 2013)
A visit to an Emergency Room is scary particularly when the doctor takes out a sharp and pointy needle.  We suppress that impulse to run and rather listen to the explanation why the medicine will make us healthy once again.  We do so with the understanding we are sick, and trust the doctor’s wisdom to bring us back to health.
The Church often uses comparisons to medicine to teach doctrine, particularly when it comes to Salvation and the strong connection to spiritual healing.  To put simply, for Orthodox Christians being “saved” means being healed.  Being “saved” is to be Holy (1 Peter 2:9).  In our Faith, Salvation is a person, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as well as a process where we constantly make choices to become like Him.
This understanding is important when reflecting on this passage from the Gospel of St. Luke.  At first glance, we may see a contradiction – a God who is a loving Father, good and kind, One whom we need not fear … but later a slave-master, punishing and beating those who ignore His commands.  We often skip these troublesome verses as they confuse us … but by doing so we unknowingly miss important lessons (yes, life-saving!) about the Holy Trinity.  The purpose of Holy Scripture is to help us know God (John 20:30-31).
The good news? God is love.  As we see, for example, in the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) the father gives everything to his children and yet allows his prodigal son the freedom to waste away the gifts that have been given.  However after the son “came to himself“ (Luke 15: 17) and the son remembered who he was and where he had come from, he repented and began his journey home … only to return to the embrace of a joyous and happy father who ran out to meet and kiss him even before the son could utter a word!
Love exists only when there is freedom.  Our Almighty and all-powerful God loves us so much that He blesses us with free-will and the ability to make our own choices.  In the parable, the prodigal son could have chosen to stay in the far-away land and the story would have had a much different ending … but even this narration of the tale would not have changed that the Father is loving, generous and humble.
Sin also exists, and as the Church teaches Sin should be thought of as sickness.  Choosing to Sin has devastating effects on us, and the most dangerous type is subtle ... where we think and justify actions not of God as being “OK”, or when we look and see everybody doing something and fool ourselves into thinking it must not be a big deal.  But illness not treated gets worse and destroys the body even if the patient initially feels good.  Over time, the body grows weaker and may get sick with something else … reaching a point where even the strongest medicine may not be enough.  At this stage, rather than enjoy the benefits and rewards of good health the patient feels the pain and agony of sickness.
Christ says, “Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes” (v 43)… but doing what? Being a Christian!  Our Faith must be active, a constant effort to be like Christ.  The judgment will be whether we are followers of Christ in all our thoughts, words and deeds (1 Corinthians 9:27).  We approach this with fear and trembling, as the more we know God the more we realize how utterly frail and weak are we, and how easy we fall. Just like a person can become sick again, we too can succumb to temptations and temporary riches of this world … but it’s never too late to repent.  It’s never too late to start working to be spiritual healthy!  Especially when we know the love our God has for His children.
This is why our Lord reminds us, “do not fear, little flock” (v 32).  Do not be afraid!  God is ready to shower His love and blessings, but it is and always remains our choice.  Let us get ready.  Let us follow wisdom.  Let us remember our Faith.
Christ is our Doctor and the Church is our hospital – both essential to curing the unhealthy and destructive effects of Sin on our body.  In the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37), Christ (the Samaritan) is the healer, the Great Physician, who rescues us, man who is wounded.  Man is given bandages, oil and wine - images of the Sacraments (Baptism, Chrismation and Holy Qurbana or Eucharist) and taken to heal to the inn, an image of the Church.  The goal of everything we do - every ministry, every prayer , every sermon or every devotional - is to bring us closer to the Church, which is the Body of Christ.  It’s all about Christ.
But as Fr. Seraphim Rose warns - “we constantly rebel, try to make life easier, try to be half-Christian, try to make the best of both worlds”. And as Fr. Anthony Messeh reminds, “Christ loved us so much He died on the Cross … this is true.  But he also loved us so much He spent 33 years without sinning. Why can’t we make it through even one day?”
“But if one chooses to continue and to sin perpetually in pleasures, and values indulgence here above eternal life, and turns away from the Savior, who gives forgiveness; let him no more blame either God, or riches, or his having fallen, but his own soul, which voluntarily perishes. But to him who directs his eye to salvation and desires it, and asks with boldness and vehemence for its bestowal, the good Father who is in heaven will give the true purification and the changeless life. To whom, by His Son Jesus Christ, the Lord of the living and dead, and by the Holy Spirit, be glory, honor, power, eternal majesty, both now and ever, from generation to generation, and from eternity to eternity. Amen.”  (St Clement of Alexandria)
#### Questions for Meditation
1)“A handful of sand, thrown into the sea, is what sinning is, when compared to God’s Providence and mercy. Just like an abundant source of water is not impeded by a handful of dust, so does the Creator’s mercy not defeated by the sins of His creations.” – have you ever felt you did something so bad, so terrible, that you were embarrassed to come to Church?  What is the message that St. Isaac the Syrian is giving for anyone who feels this way?
2) Meditate on Luke 12: 34 i.e., “Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be”.   Look back on how your time, money, and energy was spent this past week - what do you think about most? What got you most excited? Where did you spend your money compared to the offering you gave at Church? Reflect on how you could change the way you use your resources in order to reflect Kingdom values more accurately.
#### A Prayer
Let my heart be strengthened and fortified by the grace of Baptism which I have received, so that I am seen as light in the world.  Let me be strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit from above.  Let me hate and turn away my face from the old man who is corrupted by the pleasure and desire to sin.  Let me be the bearer of the Word of Life to unbelievers.  Let me continue to hasten to new life, which is promised to the faithful, and may I be worthy to reign with Christ by the abundance of His great mercy.
*The above is based on the prayer of the priest after the anointing of Holy Chrism during the Liturgical Sacrament of Baptism.   It is a reminder to all who are participating in the Baptism that the Sacrament is only a beginning of our walk with Christ and that our Salvation is both a person, our Lord Jesus Christ, and a process (theosis) where we grow strengthened through Sacramental Life to become like Christ.

## Transform Me, O, Lord
### Published on Feb 13, 2013 by Ansa Thomas, St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, Staten Island, NY
“Whatever He says to you, do it.” - St. John 2:1-11
The Great Lent is upon us. The Great Lent is a spiritual journey, which helps us to get closer to God.  This past Sunday, we recall one of the first miracles, which took place at the wedding feast in Cana.
“And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.”His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” St. John 2: 3-6
There are several themes that are in these verses.  But, let us focus on the Lord Jesus’ reply to His mother, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” (St. John 2: 4)  The Lord Jesus asked His mother what I am supposed to do if the wine is finished.  It is almost like asking what do you want from me.  For the most part, our parents know what we are capable of and sometimes we tend to surprise them.  St. Mary knew that her son was capable to extend a helping hand at the wedding feast.  And how many of you have been in this situation before, when your parent or elder asked you to do something and you hesitated or even ignored him/her?
In the next line of the verse, the Lord Jesus also told His mother that it is not time for me to show everyone who I am publicly.  It is not time for everyone to know that He is the Son of God.    St. Mary did not reply to her son.  She replied to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” And Jesus said to them, “Fill the water pots with water.  And they filled them up to the brim” (verse 7).  The water changed to wine and it was the best wine.   Even though the Lord Jesus gave a quick response to His mother when she requested His assistance, He still helped out.  If the wine ran out, the wedding guests would have grumbled and been upset with the newlyweds.   The Lord Jesus presented this miracle not only to display His compassion but also to show the glory of God.
We learn so much from this miracle, which is appropriate as we begin the spiritual journey of the Great Lent.  We learn obedience; the Lord Jesus listens to His mother and shows compassion and love.  St. Mary tells the servants to do the will of her son.  What if you were one of those servants at the wedding feast?  St. Mary intercedes for us.  And she asks us (the servants), Whatever He says to you, do it.”  During this Lenten season, ask yourself, can I do the will of God?
Reflecting on your life right now, are you straying from church, from your parents/family, from God?  Take those obstacles or forces out of your life that is keeping you away from God.  Ask God to wash away your sins, repent.  Make the change in your life that will bring you back to Him.  Ask the Lord to transform you like He transformed the water into wine.
During this Great and Holy Lent, here are some guidelines to help you on your journey:
Communicate with God by: reading the Holy Bible daily (look at the Great Lent Scripture guides);
Praying (prostrating/kneeling) in the morning, afternoon, evening, midnight prayers;
Mediate on Scripture or on the Jesus Prayer: ‘O, Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Have mercy upon me  a sinner’;
Abstain/fast not only from meat, fish, dairy, but also from things/people that hinder your relationship with God (friends, parties, TV, movies, music, habits, behaviors, etc…);
Be in Communion with God: by receiving Holy Qurbana with a penitent heart;
Help others out: give to those that need help, by donating clothes or food or giving a helping hand.

You are not alone in this journey, if you go off course; seek help from the clergy or from your church.  This journey is not easy, but if you stay the course, you will grow closer to God.  May the Lord guide you and give you strength as you embark on this Lenten voyage.
#### Questions for Meditation
1) Reflection: Are you going down the wrong road?  If yes, how can you turn back to God?  Are you going down the right road?  If yes, how can you stay on it?
2) Mediate on the following verse: “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” Psalm 143:10

## Sunday of the Leper
### Published on Feb 20, 2013 by Joseph Mathews (Jobi), Houston (St. Gregorios Orthodox Church), 281-235-2571, mathews.joseph@gmail.com
St. Luke 5:12-16, 4:40-41
Imagine being affected by a disease that causes severe disfiguring skin sores and nerve damage. The bacteria would attack and deaden the nerves and cause loss of feeling in the arms and legs. The nerves stopped sending warning signals to the affected hands and feet, so individuals lost the ability to detect pain from injury, burns and fracture causing them to lose their limbs. This disease is leprosy.
While a student at Christian Medical College, Vellore (India), I assisted in treating a leprous patient where we found a nail that was embedded in his foot, possibly for several weeks and covered by callous (dead skin). This had gotten infected causing the doctors to amputate the foot to save his life. He could have prevented this by proper and regular examination of himself and seeking medical help before it was too late. It reminds me to this day of a more dangerous condition-sin- that creeps into our lives and causes spiritual death because of our lack of discipline and self-examination.
In the Old Testament we find that leprosy was a primary type or symbol of sin and death. Sin does to the soul what leprosy does to the body. As leprosy deadens the nerves, so similarly sin defiles the conscience. Leprosy was daily dying. Every day a part of you died, today a finger, tomorrow a toe until you became a mass of ulcerated malodorous growth. Sin is separation from God, from the only true life in Him and with Him. Separation from God is death—because life can only exist where God is present. When we live in sin we are living in state of spiritual death.
Just as lepers were forced to live outside the village or in a separated area, sin leads an individual to a fallen world life outside of the Church.  The priest declared that a leprous person was unclean; similarly all sin is declared unclean by the Lord.
St Luke 5: 12-14
And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.”Immediately the leprosy left him.  And He charged him to tell no one, “But go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as a testimony to them, just as Moses commanded.”
In this passage we see that Christ is the one who cleanses all mankind-if man is willing-from the leprosy of sin and all its effects.  Just as the other miracles mentioned in the great Lent, it was the humility and complete faith of the leper that heals him. He did not doubt and knew that Jesus was capable of healing him. “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean” was his plea. Jesus was moved by his faith and said “but “I am willing; be cleansed.”
We should review this passage in light of two other individuals who were healed of leprosy in the Old Testament.
Moses beseeched God to remove his sister (Miriam’s) leprosy. Even then the leprosy left her only in seven days. (Numbers 12:10-16)
Just as Naaman the Syrian who was diseased with leprosy was cleansed by dipping in the river Jordan, so also we receive regeneration from sin by Baptism (St Gregory of Nyssa).  Elisha we see did not touch him but only asked Naaman to dip in the river Jordan for cleansing. (2 Kings 5:1-19).
The immediate removal of leprosy was a testimony to the priests that Christ is above all and the healing was with His own divine authority.  St Cyril of Alexandria writes that this is why in the end of Christ gives this command “Show yourself to the priest” to convince the priests by a tangible miracle that He is incomparably superior to Moses. Touching the unclean (leprous) was forbidden yet Jesus touched the leper possibly because of His compassion. Jesus also shows that He was above the Law as the leprosy did not affect Him but His touch cleansed the leprosy (sin).
“All things are possible to one who believes”, said Jesus (Mark 9:23). The only limit to the power of God in our lives is the limit of our own faith.  David is presumed to be writing about healing him from the leprosy of sin when he writes “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow” (Psalm 51:5). He later goes on to add that God cannot and will not despise a broken and contrite heart.
This Lent let us humble ourselves before the Lord, admit our lack of complete and absolute faith and pray to the Lord for forgiveness of our sins. Let us continually examine ourselves lest sin deaden our conscience and cause us to live in a fallen world. Let us implore of the Lord before it is too late. He is capable and willing to say “I am willing; be cleansed.”
#### Questions for Meditation
1) Why is constant self-examination so important in this world we live in?
2) Why do you believe that Jesus “touched” the leper when his words were enough for healing? How has He “touched” you recently?

## The Healing of the Paralytic
### Published on Feb 27 2013 by Rekha Mathew, St. Gregorios Orthodox Church, San Francisco, CA, ever_joyful@hotmail.com
Gospel of St. Mark 2:1-12
As the Church continues her journey into the heart of the Great Fast, she calls her children to reflect upon the healing ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. This Sunday, the Church recalls the healing of the paralytic. There is no mention of how long this poor man was in his condition. But we can assume by the fact that he was bedridden and not able to at least drag himself by some means, that his paralysis was severe, most likely from the neck down.
Imagine for a moment his state of being. Imagine having an itch on your face and not being able to scratch it.  Imagine having to watch your loved ones toil over you as they carry your limp limbs, as they clean and feed you while you lie more helpless than an infant. Imagine how long the days, the hours and the minutes seem as you lie staring in whatever direction you had last been placed. Imagine being able to see life going on all around you, while being completely unable to experiencing.  Your body is attached, yet completely cut off from you. It is incapable of receiving or transmitting information to your brain and so it is as good as dead to you. For your body, though it should be a tool for you to live and act in this world, is now your bondage.
Now imagine this state of being going beyond a limp and unresponsive body, to the very depths of the heart and soul. A soul that is cut off from communion with God is cut off from Life itself. No longer useful for the purpose for which it has been created, it is in a state of inescapable bondage to sin and death. And this is what our Lord saw when he looked upon the paralytic: a  soul withering away, incapable of relating with God, as much as He saw a body incapable of relating to the brain. So He pronounces the words “Son, your sins are forgiven.” By this Word, the paralytic is reclaimed from death, healed from sin, freed to experience unhindered Communion with God Almighty and empowered to walk and grow in His Image.
And this same Word, who was and  is and always will be, spans time and space, from Capernaum and two thousand years ago to the here and now, from the paralytic to me and to you: “Child, your sins are forgiven.” And because we do not often live as those who are forgiven, as those who are healed, the Church brings us to this place each year, to hear the Word anew. May the Word of forgiveness, the Word of healing, the Word of Life, release each one of us from whatever binds us during this Great Fast, that we may be able to rise with Him and walk with Him as we look to anticipate the Paschal Feast and His Kingdom to come.
#### Questions for Meditation
1. Where can you see an onset of “paralysis” in your relationship with God?  Pray right now and ask Him to heal those areas.  Be steadfast in all spiritual disciplines that build you up in His image.  Recommit yourself to abstain from any bad habits/ relationships etc. that may be causing a block in your communion with God.
2. Do you see someone in your life that needs to be carried to Christ in prayer because their paralysis is so grave?  Pray for them now and throughout this Lenten period.  Faithful intercession precedes intervention (i.e. pray before you break down a roof!)
3. Do you surround yourself with people who bring you to Christ when you are unable to choose Him for yourself?  Consider your friendships - invest in those that inspire you to grow in Christ.
4. Are you thankful for your body?  Do you treat it as the Temple of God? Like the paralytic whose inward healing was manifested outwardly, let your healthy habits this Lent extend beyond prayer and Bible reading and Church, etc. to exercise and good nutrition.

## The Silence before the Feast
### Published on Mar 06 2013 by Christopher Awad, Brooklyn/Queens/Long Island, NY, 646-348-4787, Christopher11004@gmail.com
Matthew 15:21-31
“Wise men are not always silent, but they know when to be.”—Unknown
It used to baffle me to see Christ silent in this passage. The Lord of Lords, the King of Kings— He who “spoke the world into being” (Ps 33:9) — was hushed by the cries of a woman who, running after Him, beseeched him in a manner not unlike our own daily supplications. I imagine my own life; how I’ve spent time with God in prayer, asking Him—begging Him—and sometimes feeling very like this woman in the passage: left to wonder whether or not Christ would answer. It wasn’t until recently that I realized what God was doing with this woman, and what He sometimes does in my, or your, own life. Do you sometimes feel like Christ is silent? Do you ask God “Why haven’t I heard You yet?” or “Why haven’t You spoken?” Then you’ll appreciate this passage from Matthew because, as we will see, God’s silence serves a greater purpose in this woman’s life, and, in yours and mine.
Christ knew her faith. There’s no doubt about that. But what’s so beautiful about this encounter is that God’s silence is used for our instruction. When the conversation begins it is not clear to us what type of faith she has in Him:
She screams out to Him “Lord!” –and He is silent. Persistent she continues, and the gospel records that she then “WorshipsHim” (v25). Matthew’s description of worship here is huge! Worship would have signified an activity of your whole body—she might have done something like come before them all in the street and laid her whole body down beseeching Him. “Lord, help me” (v25).
Soon after, Christ continues to push her. It is this that we know all too well. Christ is entreating this woman, and all of us, toshow Him our faith, to worship Him with everything we have—to throw ourselves down before Him, shameless, and say “Son of David, have mercy on me a sinner because alone, by your mercy, I am saved.” Christ says to her, “It is not good to take the food of the Children and give it to the dogs.” And she understanding—knowing that Christ is God and that He came through the promise made to the Israelites, and that his mercy can not be earned—shouts out, in faith “Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.” She cries to Him and says, “I know God! I know! I am before you begging for favor that can not be earned.” Moved by her faith, Christ blesses her and heals her daughter. This perseverance in tribulation and sole reliance on God is what Christ wants to characterize our faith, and this is the type of faith that Christ calls us to.  Faith that is whole-hearted. Faith that is passionate. Faith that is helpless. Faith that moves mountains and moves God. This is what God desires of us during our Lenten journey; cultivation of a faith that knows nothing but Him. The woman sought no one but Him and in so doing, received the fullness of God in His promise.
But what’s the table for us? We’ve seen now that Christ’s silence is instructive— His momentary choice to “say not a word” is admonishment to our faith. That when we have storms and silence, troubles and tribulations, pains and groans that we share with our Savior, that His momentary silence is only momentary and solely for our edification. His silence draws our increased prayer—our increased manifestation of faith—to Him. He will never remain silent indefinitely, and certainly always hears us. Sometimes it is I who need to show my faith in Him, so that when He does answer I will truly rejoice, and one-day delight at “the feast with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom from heaven” (Matt 8:11). This is the table—the heavenly feast that Christ invites those who believe in Him to. Once reserved only for those “chosen,” the feast is now given to all the faithful, prepared for us from the time of old. A heavenly and beautiful table, the feast is set before the faithful as a reminder of the sweetness of Christ’s promise and reward in times of tribulations. Saints and martyrs, faithful and beloved of Christ alike will one day sit around the table— strengthened by the tribulations they’ve endured—and meet Him face to face.
In this time of Lent, let us be encouraged through moments of silence and continue to be reminded of God’s promises to us.
#### Questions for Reflection:
1. Has God been silent recently? How can I personally be encouraged by this story as I continue to walk with Christ?
2. Have I given it my all? Is God calling me to a greater faith? How could I change my approach of God in prayer?

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