From the June 2023 edition of “The Light”
Expectation of Divine Consolation, according to St. Isaac the Syrian, is a cause of motivation to live a virtuous life. On the other hand, tedium and dissension impede supplications. What is a person to do in such cases?
Pain in life comes from all types of sources, some of which are external, and others are internal to our thought process, as it is invaded by the evil one, or wells from our conscious. External sources of pain can stem from an economic crisis, an earthquake, a friend or relative who betrays us, lack of opportunity to start growth in one’s life because of a place of birth within a poor and deprived society, etc. Internal springs of pain, assuming our conscious is alive, and we have not administered to it some anesthetic or murdered it all together, can be due to the fact that we have been unfaithful to a promise or someone, we have given in to temptation and locked ourselves in sinfulness, we have become arrogant, we have harmed someone, etc.
While we are in pain, we seek (worldly) comfort as a relief, but we only find a temporary dose of it. However, God offers us a fatherly and friendly path to relieve our pain through confession and the expression “I forgive you” in preparation for receiving the Eucharist. He further offers us the Bible which bring echoes of Christ’s teachings of comfort and consolation.
God allows pain in our lives in a myriad of ways and uses it to purify us as a goldsmith uses the kiln to purify gold, for fire burns off impurities ensuing pure gold. The book of Job can be our encouragement in such a purifying process. Perhaps, during the pain period through a test, a disease, or death of a loved one we do not understand the purpose. Nevertheless, taking comfort in God’s love for us in expectation of Divine Consolation, accepting His mercy, and living confidently in His profoundly tender affections shall prove fruitful producing peace in Christ and encouragement as it did for Job and kept him on the narrow path to remain in His bosom. One day we will see it, without mysteries, as divine love, and eternal true comfort.
In other news, the PLC hosted by St. George Cathedral, Miami, FL is upon us. It will be held from June 14 to June 17. However, you are welcome to stay on Sunday, June 18, for two Hierarchical Divine Liturgies in two days. In addition, Camp St. Thekla is also fast approaching and is planned for June 25-July 1 for session one and July 2-July 8 for session two. Both sessions are full and have wait lists.
May God bless you and may the Holy Trinity protect you all!
+BISHOP NICHOLAS
