Well readers, it's February again and the Orthodox Churches around the
world are celebrating the ministry of youth and young adults in the
Church. It's clear that fewer and fewer people are perceiving young
orthodox as the future of the Church and more and more are understanding
that they have a vital place in the Church as a part of its present. Be
sure to take a look at the "20-something Ways to Celebrate International
Orthodox Youth Month" (www.oca.org/yo) to see how you can join in the
celebration.
We've gotten a bunch of e-mails from you telling us how much you look
forward to reading YO-Mail and asking when we will be back in "regular"
publication.
Most of our computer issues are resolved, and we are still here and will
be trying to get issues out to you and posted to the website
(www.oca.org/yo) each month. We are told that any remaining issues are
minor and should be taken care of over the next couple of months.
In the mean time, here's the latest issue. We recently posted the
September issue (which a lot of you haven't seen) with the back issues.
Check it out for information on some of the ongoing projects we have going
including cyberpals and the International OCF Directory.
Since we are using new computers to send out this issue of YO-Mail, please
let us know if there are problems (including formatting problems) when you
receive it. We may need to make adjustments at our end.
1 Peter 4:1-11 (Wednesday of the week of the Publican and the Pharisee)
But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and
watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for
one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins." Be hospitable
to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift,
minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of
God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone
ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that
in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom
belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Now that Y2K has come and gone, many of us who might have been reflecting
on our life and thinking about more serious issues than how we rate on the
"cool" scale, might be tempted to dismiss this kind of self reflection as
unnecessary since life has gone on "as usual." This reading, which comes
every year before Great Lent, however, reminds us that we should never
feel too comfortable and self-sufficient. Every moment of every day we
need to be preparing for the "end time," whether it be Jesus' return in
glory or our own deaths.
Many of us who have had life-threatening experiences can remember the
deals we have made with God, being more concerned with what He is thinking
than anyone else. Many of us can also remember how quickly this concern
for pleasing God can disappear when things start acting normal and how
fast we start to be concerned with gaining acceptance from others instead
of Him.
While this might sound a bit morbid, imagine what the world would be like
if we all lived every moment of our life reflecting on all the gifts and
blessings God continues to give us, and trying to actively love others by
using all these gifts to help them. If only we lived our lives thinking
more about God's opinion of us, than the opinions of people who care so
much less about us.
Something to think about:
"Lord, help me to live for Your praise and not the praise of other people
You have given me so many gifts. Help me to use them to glorify You by
help others out of love. Instill in me the fact that at any moment I
might come face to face with You and to realize that this is something I'm
to look forward to as much as fear."
From the Office:
It's Orthodox Youth Month again and a YO-Mail Update
Food for the Soul
Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves
also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has
ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in
the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For we have
spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles --
when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking
arties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it
strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of
dissipation, speaking evil of you. They will give an account to
Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this reason
the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be
judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the
spirit.
An Orthodox Look
Movie: Magnolia
On its way to cult status, this is the quintessential post-modern movie about people living the life they want and the place of regret while trying to do that. There are several plots going on at the same time in MTV-like fashion leaving the viewer to put the movie (and message of the movie) together in his or her own mind. There is, however, a very real and conscious message that grabs your heart and doesn't let go of it even after you leave the theater. There is no distancing yourself from what is taking place when you are continually reminded in every cinematic way possible that "these things do happen every day."
On the up side:
On the down side:
In coordination with spring breaks, two trips are being planned for college students to participate in Project Mexico. Project Mexico is an Orthodox Christian agency which builds homes for the homeless in Tijuana Mexico and runs St Innocent's Orphanage, the only facility in Mexico that provides a home for young teenage boys who have no where else to go.
Programs are being scheduled for: March 5-12 and March 12-19
For more information on participating in one of these life-changing weeks contact: Fr Michael Nasser at avcamp@antiochian.org, or Joseph Samra at jjsamra@home.com
To advertise your event here, send information to: youth@oca.org
In a recent article on www.student.com, Chris Kenning reports on a growing trend connecting college men with sperm banks across the country. The growing demand for sperm donations are leading sperm banks to actively recruit college-aged men at Universities all over the US, who are looking for extra cash and fill the intellectual and physical requirements of many would-be recipients. According to the article, an average donor ends up with approximately 10 children and can make $6,000 in an academic year.
One bank reported that over 90% of their donors were college students.
This raises major issues:
While one can argue that these types of programs help many couples, one must also ask, "Are we doing more harm in the long run, than good?"
Q. (from CH from MA)
Hi! I previously asked a question several months ago regarding Heaven and Hell and the morality of God and Hell, which you printed and replied to (see YO-Mail #17). I've been busy recently and haven't had time to reply and say thanks.
While at first I thought it was sort of a cop-out answer, in the end I like your answer very much. It makes a lot of sense and was roughly the same conclusion that I came to before asking the question.
My conclusion: Heaven and Hell really are the same place (in so much as they are places) but some people enjoy it and some don't. I asked various other Christian sects the same question and their answers left much more to be desired than yours. It restores a little more of my faith that my parents actually chose a good religion (this is in doubt in my mind from time to time). Anyway, so thanks very much.
I do now have a further question though.
Where has God been these last 2,000 years? God used to right wrongs and aid those who believed in him. He would smite evil and kill the unrighteous. Even into the New Testament, God has a very powerful presence and his miracles were witnessed by many. What happened?
Sure, the Catholics think a few odd events a year are miracles and saint people for them, but even if such miracles really are the work of God, why is he appearing in visions to little girls in Guatemala instead of smiting those who defy his teachings in such places as what used to be Czechoslovakia or Rwanda or anywhere else where terrible things are happening right now? There's plenty of wrongs being committed right now that could use a little righting. Has God abandoned us or declared us unworthy? And plenty of bad things have been done since 1900 too, not just recently. Where was God in 1918, 1929, 1939, 1944 and so on (to name a few years of widespread unhappiness)?
Has God?:
- forsaken us,
- decided we were boring and left,
- decided we made the problems and so we ought to solve them, or
- been testing us to see if we can solve them ourselves
I await the Orthodox viewpoint. Of course, nobody knows the answer (except God and those who hold counsel with him), but what is (in the opinion of the OCA) the best guess? Thanks again,
Chris
A.
Well, Chris, once again you have given us a major question. There are many aspects to your question and we will try to answer the main ones.
The Orthodox answer may not be what you want to hear. The truth is God is and always has been "everywhere and filling all things" (O Heavenly King). For Orthodox Christians, God has not only been present over the past 2000 years, He is the one Who has given us each and every breath we take. Unlike other religions that sometimes depict God as the great "watch maker" Who set up the universe and now watches from a distance as we make a mess of it, the Church realizes that everything that has happened, both the wonderful and the terrible, did so because God allowed it and was working through it knowing that it could help us draw closer to Him. One of the prayers we say each morning is "help me to remember that all is sent down from You."
To some people this is unacceptable. The gospels, themselves, are full of incidents where people wanted Christ to be a type of "superman" who beats up the bad guys. Over and over again, however, Christ reminds us that God's ways are not our ways, and that God does not wish the "death of a sinner, but that he should turn from his way and live." The biggest scandal of Christianity is that it's anointed one (Messiah, Savior) was killed in one of the most humiliating ways ever designed. Some people say this is proof that Jesus was not, in fact the real Messiah.
If you are concerned about "justice", remember that Orthodox Christians also understand that everyone will eventually be judged. No matter what someone may get away with in this life time, he or she will be held responsible for it when he or she comes face to face with Christ (for clarification go back to your other question). Just remember, however, that this also includes you!
Don't worry. God hasn't forsaken us and is not just testing us. Every day He is reaching out to all of us calling us to live for Him, our Creator, and not for what and who the world says is important. Miracles happen every day. Like the miracles in the Bible, however, you need eyes of faith to see them. And at the end of it all, we know that this world will really come to an end and that "the world to come" will be a place where there is "no sickness or sighing but life everlasting" (hymn With the Saints from the memorial service).
If you want to read more on this topic check out the Questions and Answers section of OCA website. There is an interesting response to this issue under the topic:
If you have a question, or know a friend who does, send it to youth@oca.org -- we promise to do our best to answer it clearly, concisely, and honestly!
John from MO writes:
Please go into more detail about tattooing and piercing, especially the second to last paragraph (in response to YO-Mail #23).
Tattoos and piercing is a fad. Many people have considered it. In colleges, many fraternity and sorority members are now getting their letters tattooed on them. It has been popular in the military for generations.
Also, we are getting a lot of Ethiopian and Eritrean refugees in America who are attending our churches. Many of the Women in those countries have crosses tattooed on their foreheads.
I am a member of a Greek Orthodox Parish. I enjoy your website. Thank you.
In Christ,
John M. Clones
St. Louis, MO
Well, John, while there is some more info on this subject on the OCA website (check out www.oca.org/Q-and-A/Piercing-and-Tatoos.html), maybe our readers have some thoughts on the subject. EMail all responses to youth@oca.org
In addition, you may want to add your thoughts on some of our ongoing questions:
Have an idea for a new topic? Send it to us!
In case you forgot: YO-Mail is your mail.
If you have an opinion about something in YO-mail or something going on at school, in the Church, or in society, send it in! Send it to youth@oca.org Don't worry! All entries will be treated anonymously unless you tell us otherwise.