On the flowering of the Spirit within

The demons try to undermine your inward resolution by buffeting your souls with an untold variety of temptations.  Yet out of these many tribulations a garland is woven for you; Christ’s power ‘comes to its fullness in us in our weakness, (II Cor 12:9).  It is usually when our situation is most gloomy that the grace of the Spirit flowers within us.  ‘light has shone in the darkness for the righteous, (Ps 112:4 LXX), if, that is, ‘we hold fast to our confidence and the rejoicing of our hope firmly to the end,’ (Heb 3:6). 

On carrying out the Lord's commandments

When we are compelled by our conscience to accomplish all the commandments of God, then we shall understand that the law of the Lord is faultless (cf Ps 19:8 LXX).  It is performed through our good actions, but cannot be perfected by men without God’s mercy. 

In time of tribulation

If a fierce storm of tribulations fall upon us, let us not be terror stricken as if we had to overcome the disaster in our own strength, since both our Counsel and our Strength is Christ, and through Him we can do all things, without Him nothing, Who, to confirm the preachers of the Gospel and the ministers of the mysteries, says, Lo, I am with you always even to the consummation of the age, (Mt 28:28).  And again He says, these things I have spoken to you that in Me you may have peace.  In this world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, because I have overcome the world, (Jn 16:33).  The promises, which are as plain as they can be, we ought not to let any causes of offense to weaken, lest we should seem ungrateful to God for making us His chosen vessels, since His assistance is powerful as His promises are true. 

Boston Marathon tragedy

People have started writing to me about the tragedy at the Boston Marathon yesterday.  What happened is deeply grievous.  We were coming back home from a few days of church service in New Hampshire where my husband has a temporary assignment.  We found out about what happened not long after arriving home.  

We have been spared the sorrow of knowing anyone personally who was killed or injured through the blasts.  But, in the relationship we share through our humanity, there is no one who is unaffected as we all share the same fragility and vulnerability throughout our lifetimes.  May God grant His mercy on all the souls which departed this life and all those injured, and otherwise traumatized persons, and all the families/friends affected.  What happened is no small thing. 

The Boston Metropolis mobilized right away to meet needs in a tangible way and his Eminence Metropolitan Methodios issued a statement yesterday afternoon.  See below:   

To the Reverend Clergy and Faithful Stewards of the Metropolis of Boston

Brethren, 

We are all shocked with today's terrorist attack at the Boston Marathon.  Once again, evil reared its ugly head and countless of our fellow citizens have been victimized.  Our prayers and thoughts are with the victims and their families, as well as our governor, mayor, and police officials.  We stand by our law enforcement agencies and all the heroic first responders as they begin the process of fully investigating this act of terrorism, and bring to justice those responsible. 

Today is Patriot's Day during which we remember the heroes of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, and the first battles of the American Revolutionary War.  Annually on this day, the historic Boston Marathon takes place as a long-standing tradition which brings together diverse people from across our community, the nation, and around the world, to celebrate the virtues of hard work and perseverance in one of the world’s most well-known sporting events.  Let us not be deterred by this cowardly act of hatred, but stand united in the exercise of freedom and justice, as we pray for peace and love to reign in our society.

I ask our parishes throughout the Metropolis to offer prayers for the repose of the souls of those who tragically lost their lives today, and to pray for the healing of all those who were injured.  May the God of Peace and Mercy bring His peace upon our community.  I pray that you and your loved ones are safe and secure.  We will continue to stay in touch as further details on this evolving tragedy emerge.  

With Archpastoral Love,

+ Metropolitan Methodios

Keeping God's commandments brings its reward

By keeping the Commandments the soul is purified and the mind, too, is enlightened and starts to function as nature intended it to.  The command of the Lord gives light and enlightens the eyes, (Ps. 19:8). 

That which is truly needful

Discern the wiles of the enemy with the light of grace and, throwing yourself before God with tears, confess your weakness, counting yourself nothing, even though the deceiver tries to persuade you to think otherwise.  Do not even ask for spiritual gifts unless they contribute to your salvation and help you to remain humble.  Seek the knowledge that does not make you conceited, but leads you to the knowledge of God.  Pray to be released from the tyranny of the passions before you die, and to depart this life in a state of dispassion or--more humbly--of compassion for the sins of others. 

The Living God is the God of the penitent

Behold, let no one say, I have committed many sins—there can be no forgiveness for me.  He who says this does not know that God is the God of the penitent, that He came to earth not to save the righteous, but to call sinners to repentance, and that when someone repents the heavens rejoice over him. 

True repentance consists of withdrawing from sin and nurturing hatred for it.  For, lo, when someone says from his heart:  I have hated deceit and been repelled by it—then God accepts him with joy. 

But behold, also let no one dare to say:  I have not sinned.  He who says this is blind; he has shut his eyes.  He deceives himself and knows not that Satan is robbing him blind—both in word and deed and through thoughts.  For who can boast that he has an innocent heart and that all his senses are pure? 

No one is sinless, no one is clean of defilement, no man is free from guilt except Him alone Who for our sake was impoverished though He was rich.  He alone is sinless Who took upon Himself the sins of the world, wants all men to be saved, desires not the death of a sinner and is a lover of mankind, abundantly benevolent, kindhearted and sincerely loving. 

Let us also run to Him, for all sinners who have run to Him have found salvation.