Embracing Paradox, Being a human with colourful emotions

In the tapestry of human existence, threads of sorrow and joy are intricately woven, creating a complex and beautiful mosaic of life. From an Orthodox Christian perspective, accepting both sorrow and joy is not only a recognition of the human experience but also a profound understanding of God's divine plan. In the moments of sorrow, we find solace in the knowledge that Christ himself experienced suffering, and through our trials, we draw closer to Him.

Saint John Chrysostom, a revered figure in Orthodox Christianity, once stated, "Joy and sorrow are not separated. . . . It is only by drawing closer to Christ that one can simultaneously experience both." This insight emphasizes the interconnectedness of our emotional landscape and the spiritual journey. When we embrace our sorrows with faith, we allow room for the transformative power of God's grace, turning our pain into a path of spiritual growth.

Saint Silouan the Athonite echoed this sentiment, saying, "Keep thy mind in hell and despair not." This profound advice encourages believers to face the depths of their sorrows with courage, knowing that even in the darkest moments, God's light shines. By acknowledging and accepting our sorrows, we open ourselves to the possibility of encountering divine joy. This paradoxical dance between sorrow and joy becomes a sacred journey, where the presence of God is felt most profoundly.

Orthodox Christians find inspiration in the life of the Theotokos, the Virgin Mary, who experienced the extremes of sorrow at the foot of the cross and unparalleled joy at the resurrection of her Son. Her example teaches us that sorrow and joy coexist in the divine narrative, reminding us that our human experience mirrors the very essence of Christ's redemptive work. In accepting both sorrow and joy, Orthodox Christians find a deeper connection to their faith and a richer understanding of the profound mystery of God's love.

Trust in God

 Living day to day can be less joyful when worries take over the realm of our actions. It is our part to take heed of the words from our Beloved Saviour, Christ the Lord: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear..." The ailment of worries and weakness of faitheartedness could come from seemingly 'humane emotions'.Of course, naturally we could be cautious and alert, however at irrational and exaggerating level, worry could sneak in our heart and we could lose hope and love. 

 

The antidote of this kind of worry is - faith, trust in the Lord. In the words of Mother Gavrilia, abandon oneself to the Lord. By willingly and joyfully accepting the ever-good and wise Will of the Lord in our lives. That is our life's truest and deepest meaning. That is our kenosis. It is to run back to the Father of all good and light, and abide in His embrace just like the prodigal Son who returned to His Father; trusting literally everything to Him and live enjoying His mercy from moment to moment unto eternity. 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7)

Mustering good thoughts

 O how challenging it is in our times to remain calm and appreciative towards all that have been bestowed upon us! Scrolling up social media pages, for example, we are served with sensational facts, news and reality, that many times are miserable. This subtle patterns of exposing the defects and what is lacking, at certain degree is part of our growth ingredients. But, when it is the sole mechanism that we have, we shall jeopardize the 'most essential' part in our lives; to follow and abide in Christ. 

 

Lest we lose our peace and swept away by the events of the world. We are here not to be swallowed by melancholicity of the fallen world, instead to be salt and light. This is why it is very important for us to be silent and prayerful, so that the peace and grace from the Most high might dwell in us. It is when we are willing to 'lock the room of our heart and thus pray there" we start to see things clearly. In prudence and assertiveness we can keep guard of our thoughts. 

 

This is the art of mustering the good thoughts, keeping the Most Holy Name of the Lord in our hearts, while nurturing resourceful, benevolent and good will toward all.

Some powerful gills during sequestration

Self-quarantine time can be transformed into prayer times. It helps us in unique way to force ourselves having quiet times; and reduce our needs to wander around. It's time to come back and stay inside, at home within our hearts. However, without discernment and watchfulness, this can become chance of boredom and inactivity.

stillness painting, source here

Having some sorts of to do list and specific objectives during the day will help a lot at least by willing to do certain duties and responsibility that we need to take. Of-course, this would be aeons much better when we ask The Lord to bless before we even start it.

Pray. Discipline in prayers can be such real battle for excuses. We might want to say we have works, we need to wake up so early, getting really hectic right after we arise from our bed, with such rushing desire to stare at our phones catching up with the things that might have happened when we are asleep. Yet, have we considered to spare and set aside sometime to actually stand in stillness and wonder to the One who loves us and cares for us so much? It doesn't take that much to start. Even 5-10 minutes is good. Yet, the more we progress, we know that even the whole seconds of our lives is insufficient to greet and return the Love that has been bestowed to us every single day. What about if, honestly, we are in total hurry? Well, at least we still have an active mind and heart. We can always call the Lord's name when we stand, we sit, when we walk, when we wait, when we run. Where can we escape from his love? Praise Him with all our strength, and make no excuse to do so.

Extricating Slothfulness and Building up Eagerness to Learn

Day in, day out temptations and thoughts swarm us like flies; thus being still and be able to take some caution and retreat, to keep watch and stay guard at the door of our minds is very crucial. Among many other things, the simplest way to discern less resourceful thoughts is in the nature of its difficulties. Most of the time, slothfulness starts with the seduce of the ease. We want things to be easy and entertaining.

Just to illustrate, the day we are about to set out to do big project, such as writing, translating or to do our prescribed duties per se, suddenly online games, 'just chilling' and 'relaxing a little bit' becomes such sweet option. It is as if our minds yell and retaliate against the complexity and loftiness of the task given and choose instant gratification.

The hard truth is: we only grow when we are willingly facing and handling the challenge. The minute we give in to such offer, we shall be overcome with the bound of slothfulness which requires more and more of our time to satisfy. Love the challenge and the 'burden' of toiling. We are asked to do, as in the words of Holy Apostle Paul, to do every task whole-heartedly, as we do for God for his glory, and not for mere men. It certainly needs some degree of will power, humility and sincere obedience to so things at hand.

It is beautiful to learn loving God by denying ourselves from 'little' gratifications which make us less. Be it less productive, less patient, less wise, less prudent, anything less. It takes small, humble and sweet steps to follow Christ in obedience, by being dilligent and do little but meaningful things trusted to us faithfully.

For without Me you can do nothing

Reflection from the book of Zechariah 4:1-14

Blessed vision
Blessed visitation from The Lord of Hosts
In His love, His holy temple shall be rebuilt
Behold the beautiful synergy
Of the Love of the Most High
And the humble service of His men

For men's efforts without God's blessing are nothing and vain
Everything is moved and to be blessed in the Holy Spirit
Human efforts under the power of God the Holy Spirit yield everything God wills in His goodness

Blessed be the Name of the Lord!
My sweetness, my true joy, and life
Blessed art Thou!

Praying the Psalms

This week I come across some of instructions from some holy fathers about beautiful spiritual habit among devout Christians since the ancient times. And surprisingly I found that this wisdom is profound for us to make progress in the path of life that is pleasing to God, namely memorizing the psalms.

We live in the age of internet; instant gratifications and escape from boredom can be reached just one click away. Applications, games, fancy entertainments and social media fit in to be alternative of stressful hours or even spare times in between. More and more young people spend their times online doing games and amusing stuff on the internet.

The very idea of sitting there reading, pondering and memorising the psalms thus is not very appealing. It needs sacrifice and spiritual podvig, at least at the start.

But once we by the grace of Merciful Lord remain steadfast and willing to offer our time in silent and secret meditations of His words, we will soon find how delightful this habit can be! For it nourishes our hearts and minds to dwell unceasingly in the blessed remembrace of The Lord's love through praying the Psalms...

On reading and memorising Psalm 1 in my mother tongue, Indonesian, I find how deep and innumerable is God's wisdom and love in between the words of this first chapter...

It started with blessing from the Lord to avoid the way of the wicked, those ways of life that don't put The Lord in the center of errands, that do not acknowledge God and His love immanent in all things. Not to walk, stand or even sit with such ideas and ways of life. Rather to dwell and to take root in the blessed commandments of the Lord. With such fervent desire and yearning to please God and understand his will... We are to meditate on them day and night.

In this manner thus we will find meaning in life. Instead of focusing and being swept away by rough and merciless storm of passions and self-love, we find our refuge and peace in the Lord's Light. Thus the Lord is with us in every undertaking and with his blessings we will be prosperous as He deigns for the salvations of many.

With constant temptations and trials in life, those who shelter themselves with the love of God stand still in the judgment and they encourage and commend each other in the assembly of righteous but the wicked will be like chaff in the mercy of wind, for they trust not God but their own power and understanding.

Blessed is the Lord unto the ages of ages!