Anxiety and Unease verses Courage and Faith
If we are easily offended, or lose our peace of mind when someone treats us badly, inner peace can not be attained. The Christian who lives his life with internal strife and worry edifies neither other Christians, nor does he reflect anything of Christianity that would be attractive to those who have no faith. Such a person can even be a serious stumbling block for others because his religiosity seems to be the cause of his weakness.
Saint Paul says, “Love is not irritable or resentful….Love bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things (I Corinthians 13).” If we are always complaining, weeping, or worrying we are not living according to the directive of the Apostle Paul. Worry is based on a sentimentality of our Christian faith, creating a degenerate version of Orthodoxy that inspires no one, and ultimately leads to the death of our own soul.
The true Christian is patient with others, just as he is in need of the patience of his friends and family. As Christians we are called to be a faithful people, yet we often act in a way as to betray ourselves as faithless. We ought to live by the power of God, yet we give in to a weakness that is subject to anxiety and fear. We are the children of the Most High, empowered by our God for a life of holiness and faith. Let us live with courage and faith, that we might acquire peace of heart and shine before all men the Light of Christ.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Sunday August 8, 2021 / July 26, 2021
7th Sunday after Pentecost. Tone six.
Synaxis of saints of Smolensk (movable holiday on the Sunday before July 28th).
Hieromartyrs Hermolaus (305), Hermippus, and Hermocrates at Nicomedia.
New Hieromartyr Sergius priest (1937).
Venerable Moses the Hungarian, of the Kiev Caves (1043).
Martyr Parasceve of Rome (138).
St. Jacob (Netsvetov) of Atka-Island and Ikogmute, mission priest to the Yup’ik on the Yukon River (1867).
Martyr Oriozela of Reuma in Byzantium (ca. 250) (Greek).
Venerable Ignatius, monk, of Mt. Stirion (Greek).
Virgin-martyr Jerusalem of Byzantium (Greek).
Venerable Gerontius, founder of the Skete of St. Anne, Mt. Athos (13th c.) (Greek).
St. Sava III, archbishop of Serbia (1316) (Greek).
The Scripture Readings
John 20:1-10
The Empty Tomb
20 Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.”
3 Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. 4 So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. 5 And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. 9 For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went away again to their own homes.
Romans 15:1-7
Bearing Others’ Burdens
15 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” 4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. 5 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Glorify God Together
7 Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received [d]us, to the glory of God.
Matthew 9:27-35
Two Blind Men Healed
27 When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, “Son of David, have mercy on us!”
28 And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”
They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.”
29 Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.” 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying, “See that no one knows it.” 31 But when they had departed, they spread the news about Him in all that country.
A Mute Man Speaks
32 As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a man, mute and demon-possessed. 33 And when the demon was cast out, the mute spoke. And the multitudes marveled, saying, “It was never seen like this in Israel!”
34 But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons.”
The Compassion of Jesus
35 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
Thank you for helping us stay centered in our faith instead of basking in anxiety and worry. These are difficult days for everyone and Christians are no exception, but we must have courage. The Lord is asking us to change our ways and is allowing fires and disease to afflict us, just like he allowed famine, disease, and exile to afflict the Chosen people in the Old Testament.
Father, can you expound further on the idea put forth, “Worry is based on a sentimentality of our Christian faith ……ultimately leads to the death of our soul.”
Thank you, just so I can understand.
Steve Selin
Let me try to address your question in an upcoming post.
Father, I respectfully disagree with you. The following is my opinion, based on my own experience, and the experience of others I know.
Worry does not seem necessarily to be a moral failing, nor a poor witness of our faith. Many struggle with issues that are rooted in trauma, and aren’t even fully aware of why they are worried, anxious, or uneasy. You said “The Christian who lives his life with internal strife and worry edifies neither other Christians, nor does he reflect anything of Christianity that would be attractive to those who have no faith.” However, those that confront their traumatic past, taking courage even if they do not fully succeed on any given day, are truly edifying to those of us who likewise struggle. These seem to me to show faithfulness to the cause of becoming remade in the image of Christ, hope for a new day, and love of God despite what they’ve lived through. When a trauma survivor “bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things”, it is truly inspiring to all that see it – at least I find it so. I hesitate to snuff out the smouldering wick of those already doing the best they can, by laying guilt upon them for not having yet succeeded fully. Respectfully – SGG
I’m certainly NOT suggesting that we not confront our demons, but that we, with God’s help, replace life’s hardships and trauma, with the joy that comes from Christ.
Thank you, Father. The tone of the article initially conveyed to me that if we haven’t yet won the battle, we have somehow failed. Thank you for clarifying!
Yes, I also struggle with what you say here. As someone who struggles with depression and anxiety and worry, this made me feel quite bad about myself in a way I have not before. I know God loves me and is with me in this struggle. I do the best I can. I am not really understanding your point. It’s like a doctor telling a person you must lose weight or you are going to die…I mean there is a sort of truth but also how is that helpful for a person who does try and is struggling with food addiction. Telling someone to just stop worrying and sort of disparaging for having anxiety. It’s not easy to turn off, it’s a real struggle. I am sorry if my struggle makes others look at me and not want to see Christ. I have no idea what to do about that. I am curious to hear in another post what you mean by this.
Dear in Christ, Nancy. Those who suffer from depression and anxiety often do so because of past trauma. My article was in no way meant to add to your stress. I myself suffered greatly from depression in my younger years, but I eventually came out of it, with God’s help. The Church is a healing institution, and it is within the life of the Church that we can find freedom from the depression and anxiety that causes so much suffering for so very many people. As a former psychologist I am only too aware that many need medical help to get through such times, but it is our life in Christ that promises ultimate healing. So, don’t give up hope. This is your cross, but you have the Saviour standing beside you.
I understand Father, Thank You