We must become a compassionate people
As a nation, we need to be aware of the impact our economy has on the lives of our countless elderly and poor. It is right that we consider the teachings of the Orthodox Church concerning our duties to those who have less then we. Saint John Chrysostom taught that, “the poor are not the spectacle of human misery and suffering that evokes compassion or disgust, but they are the icons of Christ, the presence of Christ in the broken world.” And Saint Maximos the Confessor tells us, “He who gives alms in imitation of God does not discriminate between the wicked and the virtuous, the just and the unjust, when providing for men’s bodily needs”.
The compassionate sharing of our resources with those in need is a primal teaching of our Church and a virtue that must be practiced if we are to be true to the teachings of Our Lord. The communal nature of the Church was taught by Saint Paul himself, and all who would call themselves Christians are obligated to be compassionate to those who lack basic resources to sustain their lives.
In an age when so many rich are resisting the possibility of increased taxation, we must remember that we are all, rich or poor, required by the Gospels to share with those around us. Christian nations from the time of Byzantium have taxed the wealthy in order to provide for the least of their people. The heretical teachings being floated about that abundance and prosperity are signs of a strong Christian faith, has infected many in our nation. They want to defend and protect the wealth of a few at the expense of those who have the least, as though the least among us deserve their station in life. The disparity between the very wealthy and the poor has never been this extreme in our nation’s history.
That almsgiving leads us to God is so pivotal to our faith, led Saint Basil the Great to exhort even the poor to share their meager goods with others. The Christian culture of compassion requires all of us to find ways to lift up the least among us. We can not remain secure in our own well being, while ignoring the needs of the poor and the elderly.
Saint John of Kronstadt in his First homily on the Beatitudes says: “Can wealthy people be poor in spirit? Of course they can, if they do not regard themselves as being great people only because they have perishable wealth and can do whatever they want with it’s help. How can they be poor in Spirit? They can when they sincerely recognize that their wealth— and the wealth of the whole world , for that matter –means nothing in comparison with the immortal soul, and that wealth is a gift from God not only to us but to our neighbors as well, for material surpluses are given to us to help the poor. When the wealthy recognize that with all their material treasures they are extremely poor and destitute in spirit, they will not be high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches , but in the living God, Who giveth us richly all things to enjoy: that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life. (I Timothy 6:17-19).”
A compassionate heart leads to God as it places others above self. The rich man who values his money while ignoring the needs of the poor endangers his eternal life, for it is more difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. A wealthy Christian is a philanthropic man who cares for the poor and destitute and shares that which God has given him, thus storing up in heaven the treasures that are eternal.
Love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Monday October 12, 2015 / September 29, 2015
20th Week after Pentecost. Tone two.
Venerable Cyriacus the Hermit of Palestine (556).
New Hieromartyr John, archbishop of Riga in Latvia (1934).
Martyrs Dada, Gabdelas, and Casdoe (Casdoa) of Persia (4th c.).
Venerable Theophanes the Merciful of Gaza.
Uncovering of the relics of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco the Wonderworker (ROCOR)
Holy Martyr Gudelia of Persia (4th c.).
Venerable Cyprian, abbot, of Ustiug (Vologda) (1276).
The Eighty Holy Martyrs of Byzantium (4th c.).
Martyrs Tryphon, Trophimus, and Dorymedon, and 150 Martyrs m Palestine (Greek).
Translation of the relics of Venerable Neophytus the Recluse of Cyprus (1214) (Greek).
St. Auxentius the Wonderworker (Greek).
New Monk-martyr Malachias of Rhodes (1500).
St. Onuphrius the Wonderworker of Garesja, Georgia (18th c.).
Scripture Readings
Philippians 2:12-16
Light Bearers
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
Luke 4:37-44
37 And the report about Him went out into every place in the surrounding region.
Peter’s Mother-in-Law Healed
38 Now He arose from the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. But Simon’s wife’s mother was sick with a high fever, and they made request of Him concerning her. 39 So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. And immediately she arose and served them.
Many Healed After Sabbath Sunset
40 When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them. 41 And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of God!”
And He, rebuking them, did not allow them to speak, for they knew that He was the Christ.
Jesus Preaches in Galilee
42 Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them; 43 but He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.” 44 And He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.
Everything that you have said is true however I’ve yet to see Orthodox Christians involved in contributing and spending time in the trenches of the poorest of poor. Money is only a portion of what homeless, homebound, and poverty stricken people need. I don’t know of many Orthodox Christian churches who contribute cans of food, clothing, blankets etc. to places like St. Vincent De Paul, Snow Cap, FISH, etc. A smile, cold bottle of water, show of genuine respect, engaging in coversation can make their, and your, day brighter. Prayer is important but real hands on contributions are what they need from us. Thus far I haven’t seen much of that in the Orthodox Church.
Mary,
I wanted to let you know that I understand your dismay at what can be perceived as a lack of caring, especially in some of the wealthier-seeming parishes within the Orthodox Church. I am writing though to share some hope. I will not say that you are incorrect, as there is a LOT of work to be done, but God is doing amazing work among the faithful.
Almsgiving and compassion are such an integral part of our theology and spiritual life that, for many, advertising it would be akin to putting a sign outside of one’s house alerting the public that the’ve taken a shower; a good thing to be sure, but hopefully nothing special.
I was personally homeless for a good portion of my catechumenate and cannot count the myriad of occasions wherein the faithful in the impoverished mission that I was received into blessed me with food, clothing, work, and shelter.
On the larger scale I know clergy families who take in homeless “travelers,” impoverished families, addicts, and so forth on their own limited salaries; and find the help that they cannot offer.
Institutionally a few groups come to mind that might be good to associate with, if you are able. Namely FOCUS (The Fellowship of Orthodox Christians United to Serve) they do great work and every occasion I’ve been blessed to serve with them has been amazing. St. John the Compassionate Mission in Toronto is a church built around a homeless mission; they have a Lived Theology School that appears fantastic. There are many others but those two stand out in my mind.
I hope that you find this encouraging!
In the Orthodox Church today, the IOCC and OCMC minister to the poorest of the poor. Many, many parishes and individuals in the Orthodox church contribute to the OCMC (missionary) and IOCC (humanitarian) organizations.
I agree with Mary Leslie’s sentiments………I find myself doing volunteer work outside of the Orthodox Church……..maybe someone in the church hierarchy will read our comments and start to address the issues Leslie has referred to…..