"There is not a shorter verse in the Bible, nor a larger text."

As Holy Week approaches, we take comfort in this “larger text” of His weeping: the great, compassionate and saving heart of our Lord. From His concern for Lazarus, we connect the dots to ourselves. If He loved Lazarus, perhaps he could love me, too. If there was mercy for Lazarus, perhaps there may also be mercy for me. There is comfort and assurance here.

But there is a more difficult connecting of the dots to be considered: this time from Jesus' compassion to our own--His friendship toward Lazarus to the friendship we show others. The implication is that if Jesus were a true friend during His earthly ministry, we also should be true friends to everyone in our lives. This includes those we know well, those we like or dislike and even those we don't know.

Our tears should flow for our neighbors in need. If Jesus wept, so should we. Our hearts should well with compassion for those who are sick, unjustly treated and who suffer. When His people need to be fed, we too should strive to make miracles--whether we're feeding 5,000 or 5.

And this is "less concete" because many of us fail miserably in attempting true friendship or sacrifice. His sense of friendship--not only to Lazarus but to everyone He came across--is one of the reasons we are so drawn to Him and so grateful to Him, but it is also one of the hardest aspects of His character to emulate. Being good is not easy--being Christ-like is even harder.

The good news is that we are in good company: think of Peter's denial, the arrogance of James and John, the hard-heartedness of Zacchaeus, and the persecutions of Christians by Paul before His conversion.

Even the friends of Christ and great champions of the faith had a difficult time with this "friendship" component. With His help and their own spiritual strivings, they discovered what it meant to be friends of Christ and all humanity. They became faithful; they became loyal; they took responsibility for others; they asked forgiveness and gave forgiveness; many even gave their lives for their Lord. They "wept" for Christ, for His people, and took holy action.

Maybe we, too, with His help can become true friends to Christ, to our neighbors and all humanity. Maybe we can strive to mirror the moving friendship between Christ and his dear Lazarus.

Maybe, just maybe, He will cry tears of joy over you and me.

The following activity--built for children but one mom and dad might like to participate in as well--was introduced in our March Vine. The full explanation and directions follow; we hope your family finds it both meaningful and enjoyable. 

With the beginning of Lent set out a glass jar for each child in your home with a small copy of the Jellybean Prayer List taped to it (see example list below). Determine your children’s spiritual goals, your personalized list, and their corresponding jellybean colors. Each day your children can earn a jellybean of any color based on their follow-through, though they can’t eat them until Easter. On Easter morning, before they wake, fill your children’s jar the rest of the way with white jellybeans (indicating the Resurrection), reminding them—and us all—how the grace of our Lord makes up for all our shortcomings.
This is one way to interpret each color and create a Jellybean Prayer List. You can modify based on your children’s ages.

***Red is for the blood Christ gave (earned by sacrificing something: a treat, opportunity to play, etc. Ideally, the sacrifice, however small should be for another person).
 
***Green is for the palm's cool shade (earned by good deeds, as it would have been a good dead to provide shade for Jesus with a palm).

***Yellow is for God's light so bright (earned by sharing God's light through kindness to others: siblings, relatives, friends, teachers).

***Orange is for prayers at twilight (earned for attentive behavior during suppertime and/or bedtime prayers).

***Black is for sweet rest at night (earned for going to bed on time and obediently).

***Purple is for His days of sorrow (earned by apologizing to anyone we hurt with our words or deeds that day).

***Pink is for each new tomorrow (earned when we forgave those who apologized to us for hurtful behavior).

***White is for the Grace of Christ (un-earned as mentioned above).

A blessed Lent to us all!

Eddie Vedder

“I don’t mind stealing bread
From the mouths of decadence
But I can’t feed on the powerless
When my cup’s already overfilled,
But it’s on the table….
Blood is on the table
And the mouths are choking
But I’m growing hungry
I’m goin’ hungry….”

A major part of our Lenten journey is concern for—and action on behalf of—those in need. If we take in these lyrics, think about what lies beneath, maybe there’s something to be garnered. Images of decadence in contrast with the needy; power and manipulation in the face of conscience; plenty becoming “blood” and “choking” when the human condition is heartlessly ignored. The narrator, in the end, declares a hunger strike: “I’m goin’ hungry.” Decision, conviction, action on behalf of those in need.

When we think about the life of Christ, there is a parallel attitude. Think about the multitude He fed during the "5,000" miracle. His disciples suggested all the people be sent home to fend for themselves. Jesus, however, would have none of it. He commanded the disciples to find a way to feed them, and inspired the situation with His great miracle.

And beyond examples of feeding, think of the people suffering with leprosy and other diseases He healed, those who could not see whom He helped see--and those despised by society ... the woman caught in adultery, Zacchaeus, and the list goes on and on. People in any kind of need, be it physical, emotional or spiritual, were not forgotten by Him. He wasn't afraid to be near them; He wasn't afraid to touch them. He didn't hesitate to love them.

We can ask ourselves, then, where is our "passion" for the poor? Where is our fervent action on their behalf? Christ accepted nothing but love and tangible response in the face of their needs. If I'm honest with myself, I fall far short--how about you? Is it "choking" to you when you think of the relative plenty  most of us enjoy in the face of those who live in poverty? Do we have the courage and faith to make a bold statement like we see in "Hunger Strike"? Moreover, to back it up with our hands and feet?

Maybe during Lent, we'll discover that we can take action, that we can bring Christ's example to life in our lives. We have the greatest example we could ask for in Him, and it's just a matter of taking this example seriously and doing something about it.

God bless and inspire us all this Lent,

Fr. Alex

Watch the video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsoaJ3zF0x0&feature=fvst

“Hate, if you want to hate
If it keeps you safe
If it makes you brave….

Don't come over here…Chris Cornell
Save it just keep it
Off my wave.”

“Keep It Off My Wave” is a hard-driving, heavy and invigorating track from Soundgarden’s 1994 album, “Superunknown.” Singer/writer Chris Cornell uses the image of his own personal “wave” to be his momentum in life: his spirituality, his attitude, his relationships, his world.

And the implied warning to those who might interfere is forceful: Whatever destructive thing you might be doing, that’s your business. Keep it away from me. In the end, there is negativity and there are damaging forces—even people—that can creep into our lives and wreak havoc. There are things that distract and derail us, so we’ve got to be protective of what’s vital, precious and close to our hearts. We cannot be hostages to hate, anger, fear, or any purveyors of such. This is all important.

On the other hand, you and I are challenged by Christ to be loving, open and forgiving—to help those who have trapped themselves in dark places … to love even destructive people. We are a “tomorrow people”: We believe in transformation, forgiveness, second chances, endless hope, change, personal epiphanies. We must be risk-takers to the end, just like our Lord. We are believers in God and all that He made.

So how do we handle this seeming contradiction, this tension in our lives? Especially with Lent coming later this month (Feb. 27), it’s vital to strive for personal peace and build our relationship with Christ. On a certain level, we’re no good to anyone without this. We need to be protective of this. But if we work hard on ourselves—then we might just be able to help others as well. This gives us an extra incentive to nurture our own spiritual lives. Knowing that others, on a certain level, are counting on us, should spur us on. We all belong to one another within God’s loving embrace. Christ never gave up on anyone. Nor should we.

In the end, your personal spirituality, your commitment to Christ, and your hopeful attitude constitute a powerful wave, one driven by the Holy Spirit. It’s not to be tampered with. It must be respected. It must be guarded.

But its great momentum is not only for you to ride--but also the world.

Wishing you a powerful and productive Lent,

Fr. Alex

Hear the song: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWdP8B4BHss

This prayer encourages us to look at ourselves in a spiritual mirror--and take inventory of what's there. What we like and don't like about ourselves. If we're at least somewhat honest with ourselves, we will see transgressions (ways in which we "miss the mark" in our spiritual lives) that need to be acknowledged, addressed and dealt with. This is a good, healthy humility: knowing that we "need work" and that God's "goodness" is the mainstay of our lives, helping us break the "chains" we've created in our lives.

It is good to be humble before God; the bending of the "knee of the heart" is how we begin to acknowledge that change is needed, and that we cannot do it alone. We are not independent, as attractive as that idea is to us. A wonderful hymn toward the end of the service sums up this concept in a truly moving fashion: 

"Lord of the Powers, be with us; for other helper have we not, in tribulations but you. Lord of the Powers, have mercy on us." In the end, God is our great help, and the love of family and friends is reflective--even powered by--His immense love for us. Other things in life fall away; some friends are not what they seem; some promises are broken; even our own resolve has its limits. But God's love, and the love of those inspired by Him, is eternal. 

With these thoughts in mind, we invite you to join us on Feb. 27 and create your own "good beginning" this Lent. Together, we will discover the power of humility and reflect on the need for change in our lives. Together, we will set a course for holy action.

And these things we will do with our God, the great help of us all.

In His love,

Fr. Alex

Fr. Chris StamasThroughout the year, the priests of our Boston Metropolis offer inspirational messages to be shared by all our sister parishes. Our January installment comes from Fr. Chris Stamas of St. George Cathedral, Springfield. His inspirational thoughts point toward the transforming power of Christ's baptism--how this moment of grace and wonder can bring spiritual growth to us all.  

“You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance.” Psalm 65(64):11

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we all celebrate the New Year 2012 and the endless possibilities that may be ours as a local parish, a Church, a state and a nation, we look first to God as we always do and ask for His blessings.  We ask God to watch over us and protect us, to guide us and to reveal Himself to us in worship and in every person we meet.

As Orthodox Christians and the inheritors of Christ’s holy Church, our greatest responsibility is to be seeking God constantly.  We seek Him most frequently in our daily personal prayers, hoping not only that God will hear us and answer us but also that we, the ones who pray, will be transformed, sanctified and cleansed by the words and the simply action of connecting with our Lord.  St. Paul, in his epistle to the Ephesians, wrote, “Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word” (5:26).

So, as we are about to celebrate on January 6 the most holy Feast of Theophany, the Triune God’s making Himself known to us, we see that it is not only our formal Baptism or even our commemoration of Christ’s Baptism that cleanses us but our own daily efforts also to turn to Him and His Word for life and inspiration.  Like our daily actions of eating, drinking and showering, the Fathers of the Church encourage us to be striving to be more dependent on God in our spiritual lives also.  As the Bread of Life and the Living Water, only Christ can satisfy our hunger, our thirst, and our need to be cleansed.  It is this dependence that we develop on God and His Church that ultimately frees us, empowers us, and motivates us to greater and greater expressions of charity and holiness.  If we or our parishes are lacking in any of these, it is because we have not realized our God-given potential yet, as co-workers in the ministry of Christ.

Several years ago, I met a man who told me about his prayer life.  He explained to me that, as a child, he had learned the basics about God but that his spiritual life was nearly non-existent.  As an adult and a new parent, he looked at his own spirituality and admitted to himself that it had virtually no effect on his actions or words.  He decided to dig deeper.  After speaking to his priest, he began following the spiritual disciplines of study, weekly fasting, daily prayer, service to others, and Holy Confession.  As he put it, “I knew that nothing would change in me if I just kept doing the same thing, so I decided to really let God into my life and see what would happen.”  Today, that man is a true leader, a selfless servant, and great benefactor in his community, the right hand of his priest, and one of the many who have stepped forward and stepped out of their comfort zone to find a meaningful and transformative faith that awaits all who seek it.

May the New Year bring us all into a deeper and more meaningful relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ.  May His goodness, His love and His philanthropy be our inspiration as we seek to sanctify the time that God has given us.

Fr. Chris

Beloved in the Lord,

And the LoHis Eminence Metropolitan Methodiosgos became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).

On Christmas day, the Church proclaims to humanity the good tidings of the birth of the Savior who is “Light of Light, True God of True God, begotten not created… who, “for us men and our salvation came down from heaven and was Incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man” (Confession of Faith).

Studying the icon of the Nativity, we learn that Christmas is a Paschal mystery which culminates in the passion, death and Resurrection of Christ. The Incarnate Savior is seen in a sepulcher–shaped manger. He is wrapped in a winding burial cloth foreshadowing His repose in a sepulcher hewn from rock following his Crucifixion (Luke 23:53). The infant Jesus is not placed in a cradle, but on an altar of sacrifice symbolizing His death.

The icon of the Nativity, however, points beyond darkness and death. A brilliant ray of light and an image of a dove pierce the darkness of the cave to symbolize the presence of the Holy Spirit. Above is the hand of the Father, the source of life. On the altar lies the incarnate Christ. In the poverty and misery of a manger, the three persons of the Holy Trinity appear. God is present and makes Himself known.

It is of paramount importance for us “to arise and behold the divine condescension from on high that is made manifest to us” (Sticheron of the Sixth Hour). This is indeed difficult. The obstacles to Christian faith and practice raised by secular culture have unquestionably affected our lives. We are immersed in an environment beset by cynicism, apathy and selfishness--in a society that has lost its spiritual roots. Our culture has no time to reflect upon the “reason for the season.” It is reported that 98% of the references in various media highlight the impact of Christmas on the economy, on travel, on retail sales, etc. Few stories refer to the Son of God. Sadly, the media is only part of our culture which is determined to push Christ out of our sphere of interest. Public and private schools throughout America have removed references to Christmas from the classroom. The lyrics of traditional Christmas songs have been changed. “Silent Night” has been changed to “Cold in the Night.” “We wish you a Merry Christmas” has been changed to “We wish you a swinging holiday.”

My brothers and sisters, this Christmas, let us pause from the hustle and bustle of our daily routines to be alone with God. To pray. To read Holy Scripture. To read and reflect upon the beautiful hymns of our Church which help us to focus on the Christmas miracle. Let us turn off our radios and televisions, our iPhones and iPads and everything else that is electronic. Let us hear the voices of the archangels proclaiming the birth of the Savior. Let us close our eyes to the blinding lights of the world so that we may see the light emanating from the cave in Bethlehem.

May that light radiate in our hearts and enlighten our minds this Christmas and every day of the New Year 2012.

With Archpastoral love

in the Incarnate Lord,

M E T H O D I O S

Metropolitan of Boston

"Behold, the time of our salvation draws near: let the cave be ready, for the Virgin is about to give birth, and you Bethlehem of Judah, rejoice and be glad for the Lord will soon shine forth from your midst. Listen, all you mountains and you hills, and all you country of Judah: Christ is coming to save us, His creatures, for He is the Lover of humankind."

This hymn, this poetry, is from the Vespers service of Christmas Eve. In fact, if you join us at Church on December 24 at St. Demetrios, you'll here it sung.

If you join us, you'll hear about what the coming of that little Child so long ago, in a land so far away, means to us right here, right now: rebirth, hope, light, forgivness, fulfillment, salvation. If you join us, like me, you'll be struck by the irony of such a magnificent event occuring in such an unlikely
place--on the outskirts of Bethlehem in a cave, surrounded by animals and shepherds. No trumpets, no fanfare. No one seemed to care.

You'll also be moved by the insistence that all Creation, even the mountains and hills, are called to rejoice and are being "saved." Though people of course have a special relationship with Him, Christ comes to make everything new--as even Creation has long groaned under the weight of our sin. Our failing have affected everything God made. If you make time to join us, the image of the hills, mountains and valleys coming alive with expectation and joy will rush through your mind, fill your heart, make you smile and cry--probably all at the same time.

Join us, who else can we say is the "Lover of humankind." Who else cares as He does; Who else nurtures as He does? Who else gives to us as He does?

Who else should be present to welcome Him into the world ... but us?

Christ’s birth makes it possible for us to draw near to God, who is the only One who is perfect. To know God through His Son (who was, and is, perfect man and perfect God), born of a woman and having taken on flesh, is to realize that we too, although human, have within us the ability to be perfect. Unfortunately, many of us have tried to be perfect and have failed. Striving to be perfect is not the same as being a perfectionist. God accepts us as we are: human and imperfect; yet, He wants us to become more than we are. He wants us to grow; and for this reason, He sent His Son as the example of how to live our lives. But Christ is more than an example for us. He is our Lord and Savior who calls us to a relationship with Him. Through the Holy Spirit, our human efforts will have the possibility, the power and strength to live the life in Christ—a more perfect life.

The incarnation of Christ—His birth—makes all this possible. It is cause for great celebration as He enters our world this and every Christmas sanctifying and transforming it, and also brings joy directly into our lives. God’s desire is that His Son will become incarnate in us. That He be born again in us. If so, the reality of Christmas will be eternally manifested as we seek to have Christ born and live in us each and every day. Christmas is too important only to be celebrated once a year. It is not enough to remember it only then. We, and all the world, need His birth and presence always. If we bear His name, why not His life? Why not His love? Let us celebrate and live Christmas each day of our lives.

That is my prayer and hope for each of You this and every Christmas.

Yours in our Incarnate Lord,

Father Nick

“For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.”

Just in time for Thursday, Emerson’s gentle words of thanksgiving remind us of the true meaning of the holiday. Being grateful for each day—for light, warmth, safety, the basics of survival, as well as the higher gifts: love and friends. We know God is the source of all love, and if we begin by thanking Him on Thursday, as every day, we will be on track to appreciate, fully, all of His gifts. As our children, grandchildren and friends gather around our table next week, may deep thankfulness fill our hearts.

Because it’s an important day to pray at table, and also because it’s often not easy to lead prayer at the table, the following is offered as a possibility. You, too, can have (and say!) “grace” under pressure when all those eyes look to you for inspiration!

Heavenly Father, on Thanksgiving Day
We bow our hearts to You and pray.
We give You thanks for all You’ve done
Especially for the gift of Jesus, Your Son.
For beauty in nature, Your glory we see;
For joy and health, friends and family,
For daily provision, Your mercy and care,
These are the blessings You graciously share.
So today we offer this response of praise
With a promise to follow You all of our days.

Happy Thanksgiving!