Young Orthodox Mail

From the Office:

Food for the Soul

Mk 8:34-9:1 (from the Gospel on the Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross):

"Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me."

Let me tell you something about myself. Truth be told, there is a part of me that can never quite seem to remember God's love, God's plan, God's choices for me. T here's a part of my "self" that always wants to run back to the lie -- that money counts, looks count, popularity counts.

THAT'S the "self" I need to deny, again and again and again, in order to live a life that is rich and full (with love, with meaning, with what is REAL). That is the part of me that has to be denied if I want to become the "me" that God intended, if I want to follow Christ and His path of Love.

Something to think about:

• What in my life might be keeping me from loving God above all? [money, my car, my looks, my job, my ambition?]

• What would it be like to "give" that area of my life to God and acknowledge that He is in charge, not me?

• I don't want the burden of a heavy cross! But is there something I can give up, or rather TAKE up, to follow Christ better in my life?

"God, help me accept the crosses of my struggles. Help me accept myself and that I need to make some serious changes in my life. Give me guidance to accept my life as You direct it. I go forward in love and in faith. Please be with me. Amen."

An Orthodox Look: Ray of Light: A New Image for Madonna?

After only one week after its release, Madonna's new album Ray of Light and the first single to be released from that album, Frozen, have both hit the number 1 slot at Tower Records, knocking the Titanic soundtrack down to #2.

Music critics are saying this is by far her best work to date. Musically, the album is very consistent with her usual "pop/techno/dance" sound, though her voice has achieved a new depth and sincerity.

In a multitude of interviews, Madonna, herself, has stated that the album is a reflection of a change of heart within herself since the birth of her baby. On more than one occasion she referred to her earlier efforts and image as the work of someone she doesn't know. It is clear that her priorities have changed, but is her message a healthy one?

On the upside:

1. Madonna has created an album based upon her convictions. For good or bad, Madonna has created an album that is meant to educate as much as entertain. In a musical industry that is centered around "what sells," Ray of Light is a statement about what Madonna genuinely feels is important.

2. The album reflects on the shallow nature of selfishness, ambition and greed, and the need for people to put aside these goals in favor of the need to make a more substantial impact on the world through self-giving, openheartedness, and love.

3. The album acknowledges and emphasizes the need to nurture the spiritual nature of life.

On the downside:

1. Though Madonna is still a major force in the music world, the impact of this album may be lost on mainstream youth and young adults who tend to catagorize Madonna less with "MTV" and more with an older "VH1" crowd. It's too bad Madonna didn't come to these convictions sooner.

2. While the lyrics clearly elevate love and spirituality over ambition, they are discussed in vague, overly idealistic, and strictly emotional terms. It would have been refreshing to hear about how love and spirituality operate on a day-to-day level where hard choices and personal sacrifices are made.

3. Like her previous work, this album continues to express a casual attitude about sexuality and doesn't acknowledge the real issues involved.

On the Calendar

Diocese of the West Plans Youth/Young Adult Trip to Project Mexico

The Diocese of the West is planning a trip this summer to Project Mexico for youth and young adults. Project Mexico is an Orthodox program in Tijuana where participants help build homes for the homeless. Participants stay at St. Innocent's Orphanage for boys, where they can see determined Orthodox Christians living the Christian Gospel by their love of God and ministry to those in need.

If you're interested, contact Fr. Anthony Karbo by the end of March at +1-719-625-9219 for more information.

To announce your event here send information to youth@oca.org

In the News

Students Suspended for Wearing Rock Band T-shirts

At Zeeland High School in Western Michigan battle lines have been drawn over whether or not a school can determine that it is offensive to wear the T-shirt of a rock group whose lyrics and image are "explicit.".

The assistant principal, who was familiar with bands such as Korn, Tool, Filter, and Nirvana, suspended two students for wearing concert T-shirts of these groups. She said she found the shirt of one band (Korn) offensive more for the band's body of work than for the content of the shirt itself.

While over 200 students have signed a petition against this act and are preparing a walkout, fearing that this may lead the school to ban other things, members of one band (Korn) have taken exception to the school's actions. The drummer claims that the assistant principal who suspended the students was only "preaching her own morals," and based on this has no right to suspend a student. School officials say that they are not taking away freedom, just enforcing standards.

Korn is threatening to sue the official, school, and school district for defamation of character since the assistant principal was quoted as saying that wearing a Korn T-shirt was the same as wearing a shirt with a middle finger printed on it.

Real Questions, Real Answers!

Q. (from RE in TX, a college student)

Hello, I am just beginning the catechumenate of the Holy Orthodox Church. I was wondering, what is the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, and why is it celebrated during Great Lent?

A.

Tradition tells us that the Church is our mother, who nurtures us with the experiences and spiritual food we need for salvation. The Pre-Sanctified Liturgy is the Church's practical solution to our need for spiritual food [the Eucharist] during a period of great effort: Great Lent.

Tradition tells us that the Church is our mother, who nurtures us with the experiences and spiritual food we need for salvation. The Pre-Sanctified Liturgy is the Church's practical solution to our need for spiritual food [the Eucharist] during a period of great effort: Great Lent.

Throughout Great Lent the Church does not celebrate the Divine Liturgy during the week, since we, as Christians, are called to fast in preparation for the Lord's Pascha. In response, however, to our need for spiritual strength during this period, from very early on (as early as the 4th century) the Church communed the faithful from the Consecrated Elements from Sunday's Divine Liturgy.

The Pre-Sanctified Liturgy is a combination of the elements of vespers [instructional hymns and "O Gladsome Light"] with elements from the Divine Liturgy ["Blessed is the Kingdom," reading of psalms, scripture readings, the entrance of the Gifts, and the Lord's Prayer]. Since the Gifts are already consecrated as the Body and Blood of our Lord, at the Great Entrance we replace the Cherubic Hymn ["Let us who mystically represent the Cherubim ..."] with "Now the powers of Heaven do invisible worship with us; for behold, the King of Glory doth enter."

Hope this answers your question. If something is still not clear, let us know!

If you have a question, or know a friend who does, send it to us at youth@oca.org. We'll give you a direct and concise answer!

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