Food for the Soul:
Facing Change with Faith
A week before her graduation from graduate school, a friend of
mine said to me, "Now I need to figure out my life!" She's
usually a very composed, "together" kind of girl, so I
looked at her questioningly, wondering what was wrong. It's not
every day you hear your friends express such panicking outbursts
about their life, and she certainly looked as if she was terrified
at the prospect of having to make decisions about her future. When
I asked her how she was doing, she simply said this was something
she goes through every time she graduates from a school.
Feeling this sense of panic when we are faced with changes in our
life is not uncommon. Change can be frightening simply because it
starts us down the road into the great unknown. We don't know what
the future has in store for us, and change often leaves us in a
position where we are suddenly forced to deal with uncertainty without
the option of relying on familiar crutches of friends and family.
The changes we go through in life are minimal in comparison to
the immense change that took place when Jesus ascended into heaven,
fully revealing His divine nature. When we look to God to see how
He calls us to respond to changes in our lives, we can examine the
behavior of the disciples at this moment of extreme mystery and
very dramatic change.
"'These are the words which I spoke to you while I was
still with you, that all things might be fulfilled which were written
in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.'
And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the
Scriptures. Then He said to them, 'Thus it is written, and thus
it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead
on the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should
be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
And you are the witnesses of these things. Behold, I sent the Promise
of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until
you are endued with power from on high." And He led them out
as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them.
Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from
them and carried up into heaven. And they worshiped Him, and returned
to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually praising and blessing
God. Amen." (Luke 24: 44-53)
The Gospel for Ascension ends by telling us of a day of great rejoicing
at the carrying away of Jesus into heaven. The disciples, put out
into the world on their own to spread God's word, didn't despair
at the task ahead of them, though it was daunting. They rejoiced
and blessed God for all He had shown them and for the incredible
gift of salvation that He had delivered to them through his Son.
The disciples faced a crucial choice at the point of the ascension.
They could have been scared about what they had to do. They could
have looked at each other and said "What do we do? We can't
do this alone! We are lost now!" That would have been quite
a scene, but they chose instead to look at it as an opportunity
to glorify God and His works, and accept the commission they were
given to spread God's word to many. Jesus prepared them to do this,
and they went forward with faith, not desperation, eagerly facing
the new opportunities before them.
At this time of year, we all have great opportunities ahead of
us…even if we're not graduating and "figuring out our lives."
As another school year draws to a close, exciting things await us,
if we accept them. Change can be daunting, or it can be exciting,
depending on perspective. All of us are given amazing gifts from
God on a daily basis. We are blessed with friends that give us fantastic
memories, the opportunity to take classes that give us skills to
take with us on our next steps in life, and our faith in God to
know that we don't have to look back on the past wistfully, but
can look ahead excitedly.
Some things to think about:
- Christ detailed to His disciples their mission. What is Christ's
mission for me? What direction does He want me to take in my life?
- Am I taking the necessary steps to fulfill Christ's plan? Take
some time to pray and reflect on those steps. Write down what
you think they are in a journal and see how they develop and change
through God's Grace.
- Am I making good use of the gifts God has given me, accepting
them and allowing myself to grow in God's love? Make an inventory
and offer them to the Father and ask Him to increase these gifts.
O Christ God, You have ascended in glory,
Granting joy to Your disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit.
Through the blessing they were assured
That You are the Son of God,
The Redeemer of the world!
An Orthodox Look
Movies: X2: X-Men United
Remember when the words "crime-fighting mutants" meant
poorly costumed ninja turtles named for famous artists? Ahhh, the
good old days! Well, not anymore. The X-Men are the crime-fighting
mutants de jour, and they're back in this big budget sequel to continue
their mission to create a peaceful harmony between mutants and humans.
But wouldn't you know it, some pesky bad guys try their darndest
to crush that utopian dream. This time, a former Army commander,
William Stryker, leads the anti-mutant movement, instigating an
underhanded war between mutants and humans. The danger from him
becomes so great that the X-Men must unite with Magneto (the mutant
villain of the first movie who still seeks domination) in order
to stop him.
On the upside:
- In a word: Nightcrawler! In the comic series, the mutant named
Kurt/Nightcrawler is a devout Catholic (ironic for his demon-like
appearance) and, thankfully, the movie emphasizes this. He prays,
recites Psalms, and speaks of releasing hatred and choosing faith.
- Making choices between good and evil is a constant theme throughout
the film. Characters must choose between faithfulness and temptation,
between using power for the benefit of others or abusing it for
selfish ends, and ultimately between war and peace.
- The idea of sacrificing oneself is also a prevalent theme. Several
characters have to make the choice of putting their lives on the
line to save others.
- Despite a great deal of violence and slaying, the PG-13 rating
ensures that there's very little gore and blood. Yes, we realize
it's a pretty weak Upside to essentially say "it could've
been worse," but let's face it, it's a movie about superhuman
mutants vying for world domination. Need we say more?
On the downside:
- The violence is more intense in this film than in the original.
We're talking big body count. At best it's desensitizing, but
easy to dismiss as fantasy. At worst, it's gratuitous and disturbing.
Let's put it this way: we're not taking Grandma to see this movie.
- Evolution is a major theme. We're told that mutants are humans
with mutated genes that give them superhuman powers, and one character
even evolves throughout the film. This is an unfortunate deviation
from the comic series, where a powerful cosmic being was involved
and intelligent design was a factor.
- The movie contains some extremely suggestive sexual content.
- Profanity and abuses of God's name are sprinkled throughout
the film.
Starring: Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Famke
Janssen, Halle Berry, Brian Cox | Directed by: Bryan Singer | Produced
by: Lauren Shuler Donner, Ralph Winter, Avi Arad | Written by: Zak
Penn, Michael Dougherty, Dan Harris | Distributor: 20th Century
Fox
Sci-Fi/Action; 2hrs 14 min; PG-13
In the News: IOCC Aid 'Lifting
Burdens' For Suffering Iraqi Civilians
Baghdad (IOCC) - The streets are filled with litter and sewage.
The shops are shuttered. Food is still scarce, and unemployment
is rampant. Despite these and other problems faced by post-war Iraq,
humanitarian assistance is starting to flow into the country, said
David Holdridge, Chief Operating Officer for International Orthodox
Christian Charities (IOCC), who has just returned from a five-day
trip to Iraq.
"Baghdad has a tremendous humanitarian need, aggravated by
the long weeks of bombing, and the lack of electricity and water,"
Holdridge said. "I didn't have electricity the entire time
I was there. There is very little food."
Holdridge was in Iraq from April 24-29 to assess the needs and
begin emergency relief distributions on behalf of IOCC, the official
humanitarian aid agency of Orthodox Christians. His mission took
him to Baghdad and Mosul, where he met with Orthodox leaders and
interviewed members of their communities.
Iraqi Orthodox priest Fr. Yanoun
Yagoob censes during Holy Friday services at Baghdad's Antiochian
Orthodox parish. Orthodox Christians in Iraq will assist IOCC in
the distribution of humanitarian assistance to needy Iraqis. IOCC
photo by David Holdridge.
In another development, IOCC will be able to assist 1,000 Iraqi
families with their food needs now that a humanitarian relief convoy
has departed from Amman. IOCC will distribute 1,000 food parcels
for Iraqi families in need as part of a six-truck convoy organized
by the Middle East Council of Churches and Action by Churches Together.
IOCC also expects to set up offices in Baghdad and Mosul in the
coming weeks and begin distributions of family food parcels, first-aid
kits, stoves and cooking utensils, tents and mattresses, hygiene
parcels, and water pumps. Such assistance will meet some of the
most pressing needs in Iraq: hunger, malnutrition, lack of clean
drinking water and transmission of diseases.
Distributions of emergency food and medicine will be done through
local parishes and the Middle East Council of Churches, Holdridge
said. "They know who the neediest are in their communities,"
he said. "It gets down to the individual families very quickly."
Members of Baghdad's Antiochian Orthodox
community, shown here in procession on Holy Friday, will be able
to help IOCC identify and assist needy Iraqis. IOCC photo by David
Holdridge
During his aid-and-assessment mission, Holdridge met Fr. Younan
Yagoob, an Antiochian Orthodox priest in Baghdad. Fr. Younan is
the shepherd of a small Antiochian Orthodox community in Baghdad
which will partner with IOCC in its humanitarian mission to needy
Iraqis of all ethnic and religious backgrounds.
"He has an abiding peace and humor," Holdridge said of
Fr. Younan. "He drives a beat-up old car with a broken windshield
and a motor which could die at any time. Even so, he insisted on
driving me around Baghdad. He kept many families with him in the
church during the bombing."
Christians in Iraq constitute 3 percent of the population in this
predominantly Muslim country. Most Christians in Iraq belong to
the Assyrian Church of the East and the Chaldean Catholic Church,
while about 140,000 are Orthodox Christians.
Fr. Younan said some of the most pressing needs in his country
include medicine, clothes for children and transportation. "Thank
you for your participation in lifting burdens from the people of
this country," he said.
In response to the current crisis, IOCC is appealing for $1 million
to provide emergency relief, life-saving medicines and medical supplies
to suffering people in the Middle East.
IOCC's parent body, the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox
Bishops in the Americas, is encouraging all Orthodox Christians
to support IOCC's efforts in Iraq through prayer and giving.
IOCC has worked in the Middle East since 1997 and currently has
programs in the Holy Land and Lebanon. Since 1992, IOCC has distributed
more than $160 million in relief and development assistance in 21
countries.
For more information about IOCC, visit http://www.iocc.org
On the Calendar:
-
Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God to begin Journey to Russia
at Pilgrimage to Saint Tikhon Monastery, PA - 5/23-26/2003
-
UOB Announces 3rd Annual Academic and Cultural Summer Program
for Youth -CONNECT 2003
Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God to begin Journey to Russia at
Pilgrimage to Saint Tikhon Monastery, PA - 5/23-26/2003
From May 23-26, 2003, the ancient miracle-working Tikhvin Icon
of the Mother of God will begin its year long journey to Russia
at the 99th annual Pilgrimage to St Tikhon Monastery in South Canaan,
PA.
His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman, Primate of the Orthodox Church
in America, together with members of the Holy Synod of Bishops and
guest hierarchs, will greet the icon on Friday May 21st at 3:00
PM, which will be available for veneration by the faithful. The
weekend schedule includes several Services of Thanksgiving to the
Icon, Divine Liturgies on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, and processions
with the Icon.
For the complete weekend schedule go to:
http://www.oca.org/pages/events/2003/0523stspilgrimage/schedule.pdf
Upon conclusion of the pilgrimage, the Icon will travel to Long
Island, New York where it will reside at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church
in East Meadow, NY. Vigil for the feast of the Icon will be held
on June 25 at 7:00 PM and Divine Liturgy for the feast will follow
on June 26 at 9:00 AM. The Akathist Hymn to the Icon will be sung
on June 11th and June 18th at 7:30 PM when it will also be available
for veneration by the faithful. For more information people may
contact Fr. Alexander Garklavs at 516-483-3649.
In July the icon will then travel to Chicago, IL where it will
be present at various Holy Days throughout the year until it return
to its home in Russia next summer. For more information about the
Icon's schedule in Chicago people may contact Fr. Sergei Garklavs
at 773-774-1220.
For a history of the Icon go to…
http://www.oca.org/pages/orth_chri/Feasts-and-Saints/June/Jun-26.html
UOB Announces 3rd Annual Academic and Cultural Summer Program
for Youth -CONNECT 2003
CONNECT 2003 is an academic and cultural program for youth aged
17-25 at the University of Balamand from July 6 to August 3, 2003.
This special program promotes understanding of Middle Eastern culture
and heritage in a learning environment of diversity and tolerance.
CONNECT 2003 is based at the main campus of the University of Balamand
in northern Lebanon. Learning excursions take participants to beautiful
historical sites in Lebanon and Syria. For four weeks, members of
the Connect program engage in academic workshops and tutorials,
participate in cultural & sports activities and work in community-based
projects.
Participants in CONNECT 2003 also receive three undergraduate credit
hours as a result of the academic exposure offered in this month-long
learning experience.
The CONNECT program has proven to be a memorable experience establishing
links for the participants with the Middle East, teaching them about
Lebanon, Syria, and the region and taking them to beautiful historical
sites like the Cedars, Baalback, Beirut, Byblos, Palmyra and Kark,
to name just a few. During the past two years, participants learned
a lot, earned three college credits and had loads of fun! Here's
what some of them had to say:
Applications are still being accepted. Limited Space. For more
information, visit our website http://www.balamand.edu.lb/Connect/index.html.
Or e-mail: connect@balamand.edu.lb,
UOBalamand@aol.com or call
the US Office of the University of Balamand at 201-945-1131.
· The things that I have learned and the friends I have
made throughout this trip will be life long. I had a great time
visiting the exceptionally unique places in Lebanon, it is truly
a beautiful country and I fully enjoyed my time here. Connect is
a wonderful program and I am sure it will flourish in the future.
The staff has been truly superb leaders and also great friends.
(2001)
The University of Balamand is a private non-profit higher education
institution founded in 1988.
Love and Dating: When Infatuation Conflicts
with Faith
Question: AB from NY Asks...
Ok, this is a complicated problem for me. I like this guy. I mean
I really like him. He's asked me out once or twice. My family and
I are very big on our Orthodox Faith, and having a boyfriend in
the same religion is VERY MUCH appreciated. But I can't help but
feel the way I do about him. I can't imagine not knowing him the
way I do now. But, I don't think it's fair for him because he wants
a real relationship as my boyfriend. And even though I feel the
same way, I'm torn between the fact that I want a good Christian
man. What should I do? I don't want to go behind my family's back
because I wouldn't be able to live with the guilt. HELP ME!!!!!!!!
Answer
AB,
I know what a special and rare feeling it is to like someone enough
to want a serious relationship. But in dating a non-Christian you
are entering into a dangerous situation about which God gives us
very clear instructions:
"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for
what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what
communion hath light with darkness?"
2 Corinthians 6:14
The affection of your heart is a very sensitive and important thing
and you should be careful to guard it, especially when it comes
to romantic relationships ("Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life" Proverbs 4:23). Remember,
there are many ways, including influences of other people in our
lives, which can tempt us away from our loving and obedient relationship
with God! I imagine you want to find someone with whom you can share
your life. If your faith is central to your life and this guy can't
share it with you, it will be impossible for you two to reconcile
the difference.
You are in danger of compromising your faith if you open your heart
to someone with whom you cannot share that central foundation of
life ("Why trimmest thou thy way to seek love?" Jeremiah
2:33). Finding a good Christian partner that can encourage and deepen
your faith is what God (and probably your family) wants for your
life.
I know this probably is not the response you wanted to hear, but
putting God first in our hearts and minds is the most important
thing we can do.
Okay, enough of the lecturing… here's what I suggest you do. First,
pray. Ask God for the understanding and fortitude to confront this
issue. Then be honest with this guy and share your concerns with
him. He needs to understand how important your faith is to you.
If he is interested in learning more about your faith, direct him
to your priest or an adult male member of your church for further
guidance. But don't pursue a romantic relationship with this guy
under the current circumstances. As great as it seems now, you may
be setting yourself up for a lot of heartache in the future. Trust
God and be faithful to Him. Only God truly knows what is best for
you. He might convert this guy's heart to Christ and bring you two
back together in a few years or have someone even more exciting
in store for you.
This is your place to ask questions on
love and dating and get an Orthodox perspective. E-mail your questions
to youth@oca.org and put "Love and Dating"
in the subject line. We'll answer your question directly and then
post it later in an upcoming issue. Don't worry. All submissions
will be treated anonymously.
Real Questions/Real Answers:
Representations of the Four Evangelists
Question: AL asks
Why are the four Evangelists depicted by the four symbols of a
man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle? Where did these symbols originate
and what do they signify?
Answer
This is a question that has likely confused many people as they
look around their church and see the man, lion, ox and eagle grouped
together on windows, in carvings of the iconostas, and throughout
the church. As children, we are told by our parents that these symbols
represent the four writers of the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke,
and John. Yet, this answer leaves a good deal of room for the probing
question of "but why?"
The answer lies in both the prophesies of the Old Testament and
in the writings of the Evangelists themselves, the four books of
the Gospel. The four symbols are prominent figures in Ezekiel's
vision of God on the Cherubim, described to us in the first chapter
of Ezekiel. "Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness
of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had
the likeness of a man. And every one had four faces, and every one
had four wings." (Ez 1:5-6) The faces in the vision are elaborated
upon to a further extent… "As for the likeness of their faces,
they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the
right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side;
they four also had the face of an eagle." (Ez 1:10)
Still, though Ezekiel's vision first displays these four faces
to us in a manner that signifies the glory of the Lord, why would
the Evangelists be portrayed in such a fashion? Just as Ezekiel's
vision brought the word of the Lord to him, so do the words of the
Gospels carry the Lord's message to us. As stated in These Truths
We Hold - The Holy Orthodox Church: Her Life and Teachings (St.
Tikhon's Seminary Press, 1992), it is in the unique message of each
Gospel book that we can find the meaning of these symbols.
- St. Matthew (Winged Man): depicted as a winged man because his
Gospel opens with the genealogy of Christ, tracing the human lineage
of Jesus from the time of Abraham.
- St Mark (Winged Lion): depicted as a winged lion because the
Gospel of Mark begins with a description of John the Baptist,
the voice of one crying in the wilderness.
- St. Luke (Winged Ox): depicted as a winged ox because of his
Gospel's descriptions of the sacrifices of Christ.
- St. John (Winged Eagle): depicted as a winged eagle because
his Gospel seems to "soar on eagles' wings" and is not
a Gospel regarded as strictly historical, but more of a "spiritual
Gospel," told from the perspective of a post-resurrection
understanding of the divine grandeur of Christ.
Readers Write:
Re: Orthodox - Roman Catholic Dialogue
NI from NJ Writes
I believe your answer to this question was superb. We
do indeed need to
approach the subject of dialogue with the Roman Catholics and others
with
humility and in repentance. I don't know that if they are appropriate
for YO-Mail, but I have a series of related questions that come
to mind while reading your answer.
What are ways in which we suppress this necessary virtue of humility
in our daily lives? In what ways do many of the 'triumphal' sayings
that fly around concerning our Orthodox Christian Faith (while true)
get in the way of the heart of these rather important matters? It's
one thing to be an Orthodox Christian, it's another thing to spout
off holy stories and disregard people's genuine questions, concerns,
and beliefs. Thanks for taking the time to read my e-mail. God bless
you.
ST from Australia Writes
Hi. I believe active attempts should be made by all
Orthodox Christians to encourage our "lost sheep" (non-Orthodox
Christians)' to come back to the flock of the One True Holy and
Apostolic Church - not to mention the only true Catholic Church
(using the original Eastern meaning of the word). Saint Kosmas,
told us to curse the Pope, as he is responsible for the schism in
God's Church.
I would rather listen to a recognized Saint of our Church than
a gathering of wolves in sheep's clothing trying to bring disharmony
amongst the world's Orthodox Christians. Yes, I agree we must pray
and humble ourselves, but at the same time STANDFAST in our faith!
Christ said He is unchanged throughout time. That is also the beauty
of our Church - untouched. Please leave it that way.
Well Readers,
Here are two very different and genuine responses to the Q and
A in our last issue (April
2003). In these responses we are left with some very serious
questions. What are some guidelines we should consider as we witness
to the True Faith? How would Christ and the Saints through the ages
want us to share the One True Faith with others who do not know
or understand the Orthodox Christian Church? How do we remain humble
without succumbing to relativism?
Don't forget!
Here is your chance! We know you have great stories to tell, and
honest opinions to share. We know amazing things have happened to
you and you were just wondering, "Now, HOW can I share this
with others?" Well, the section IS entitled "Readers Write",
so what better venue than right here?
You're a reader, so…. You know
the next step. Send us something you've written and would like to
see in a future issue of YO-Mail. Commentary on YO-Mail is welcome,
as is anything that is pertinent to our lives as Christians. Send
it in to youth@oca.org and we
will put it here.
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