Further reflections on the spiritually unhealthy results of the pandemic
While this Covid-19 lockdown that has forced everyone to keep social distance from one another, and, in my opinion, has gone beyond the ridiculous, one thing has become very clear, both to myself, and other Orthodox pastors, and that is that many contemporary people, including many Christians, as well as believing Orthodox Christians, are terrified at the idea of their physical death.
The inevitability of death is particularly difficult to face for most Americans, as we’ve become a people that eschew traditional funerals, preferring to “celebrate the life” of our loved one, while disposing of the body, and banning any sign of death from the memorial service should we even decide to have a service. Yet the awareness of our own eventual death is the very thing we should be thinking about, if we want to be prepared for Eternity.
When we live our lives focused on enjoyment, pleasure, and the acquisition of material goods, we enslave ourselves, and can only find freedom in God’s love. This love creates perfection and faultlessness, and when we think on your own death we become free to perform every task for God.
Our fallen and imprisoned hearts are in need of liberation, and we long to be inflamed with the love of God. This love of God must engender a love that permeates our very essence, and allows us to love every person and every creature. We must wish our hearts burn with love, a love that turns chaos into harmony.
It is Divine energy and Divine strength that would transform us into the beings God intended us to be, deifying and making our very being, whole. This action of God would bring the chaos of our lives into harmony, and our fear of death would be liquified, and be no more.
Given the promise of eternal life, how can we Christians be afraid of death, afraid of a virus that could serve as the very vehicle to bring us into everlasting life. How can we Christians sit silently while our government issues rule after rule to keep us from the very fountain of grace that is found in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, and the reception of the Life-giving Body and Blood of our Saviour?
We Orthodox Christians must live our lives, as much as possible, according to the reality that Christ has risen from the dead, and has defeated death, trampling down death by death, and we must shine this reality out to others.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Sunday September 20, 2020 / September 7, 2020
15th Sunday after Pentecost. Tone six.
Sunday before the Universal Elevation of the Precious and Life-Creating Cross of the Lord
Synaxis of New Martyrs and Confessors of Kazakhstan (movable holiday on the Sunday after September 3rd).
Forefeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos.
Martyr Sozon of Cilicia (304).
St. John, archbishop and wonderworker of Novgorod (1186).
Martyrdom of St. Macarius, archimandrite of Kanev (1678).
Venerable Macarius of Optina (1860).
New Hieromartyrs Peter and Michael priests, Alexander deacon (1918).
New Hieromartyr Priest John Maslovsky of Verkhne-Poltavka, Amur (1921).
New Hieromartyrs Eugene metropolitan of Gorky, Stephan priest and Hieromartyrs Eugene, Nicholas and Pakhomius, New Hieromartyrs Gregory, Basil priests, Hieromartyr Leo (1937).
Venerables Alexander Peresvet and Andrew Osliaby (1380).
Venerable Serapion of Spaso-Eleazar Monastery in Pskov (1480).
Apostles Evodus (Euodias) (66) and Onesiphorus (67) of the Seventy.
Martyr Eupsychius of Caesarea in Cappadocia (2nd c.).
Venerable Luke and St. Peter the Cappadocian, abbots of the monastery of the Deep Stream (10th c.).
St. Cassia (Cassiane) the Hymnographer (9th c.).
Venerable Cloud (Clodoald), abbot-founder of Nogent-sur-Seine near Paris (560) (Gaul).
The Scripture Readings
Luke 24:1-12
He Is Risen
24 Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. 2 But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. 5 Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, 7 saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’ ”
8 And they remembered His words. 9 Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles. 11 And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened.
2 Corinthians 4:6-15
6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Cast Down but Unconquered
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you.
13 And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
Matthew 22:35-46
35 Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”
37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And thesecond is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
Jesus: How Can David Call His Descendant Lord?
41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?”
They said to Him, “The Son of David.”
43 He said to them, “How then does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord,’ saying:
44 ‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool” ’?
45 If David then calls Him ‘Lord,’ how is He his Son?” 46 And no one was able to answer Him a word, nor from that day on did anyone dare question Him anymore.
Ephesians 6:10-17
The Whole Armor of God
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
John 15:17-16:2
17 These things I command you, that you love one another.
The World’s Hatred
18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. 25 But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’
The Coming Rejection
26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.
Jesus Warns and Comforts His Disciples
16 “These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.
Footnotes
John 15:26 Comforter, Gr. Parakletos
Galatians 6:11-18
Glory Only in the Cross
11 See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! 12 As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by [a]whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.
Blessing and a Plea
16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
17 From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Read full chapter
Footnotes
Galatians 6:14 Or which, the cross
John 3:13-17
New King James Version
13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man [a]who is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should [b]not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
Yes. Thank you Father. Beautifully said.
I have been saying this same thing for months. Fear of death among the adults and among the late teenagers a mocking of death. Lord, have mercy on us all.
The only pandemic one has to fear at this point … is one of Fear , as many cling to their ‘security blankies'(masks).
Another one knocked out of the park, Father! When I’m out and about, I can see , really sense, the apprehension of many round about me, This is the first virus in my memory(and it goes back a ways)that has received near 24/7 red line, hammer- the- fear coverage,as well as being politicized , so I can understand those who cower that “have no hope”. Many either don’t truly believe, or really don’t know nor have considered where they will reside once they die. More reason to pray…
Blest day ,Father.
Father I am not sure what message you are giving us today. Are you saying that we should not wear our masks and keep 6 foot distance from others?
Is there another government requirement out there that I’m not aware of that you protest against? please clarify father. May God bless you and keep you safe and healthy.
Amen Father Tryphon! We, as Christians, should never fear death. When we look at Polycarp and other martyrs, they had no fear of death. Death is not an end for Christians but going home to our Lord and saviour. Thank you for your clarity in a mad world.
Orthodox clergy need to open their doors despite government restrictions.
We should not fear death if we are serving Christ. This means serving our neighbors and seeking Christ in all things. But I am still in need of repentance. So I fear that death may come too “soon”. Lord have mercy on us that we may know death and have time to repent before its too late.
Olga, my dear friend in Christ. If what you take way from this article is that Abbot Triphon is saying that the rule of 6, and the mask wearing (which both in reality do have inherent problems that are detrimental to our souls) are the issue at hand or if you believe that the government or Satan at the next level is not working to achieve devestating and decicive damage to our Christian worldview at surface and our souls individually then yes, to answer your question “if you are missing anything” Yes, there is a lot you are missing. I humbly extend this reply, from sincerity. Keep asking questions, praying and observing and you will start to see the total and complete onslaught the battle for our souls is in right now. ‘Despair not for the Lord is with us… ‘ That is one meaning of this article, among many others. Have a blessed day and remember we are in this one together through Christ.
Excerpt from the Orthodox word, No. 210, 2000, article titled “Mystical Sacrifice’ crystallizing the spirit of sacrifice.”
“1. A living sacrifice
From the Signs of the times and the prophecies of the Holy Fathers and Mothers of the church, it is clear that the 21st-century will bring with it great trials for Christians. As we enter the third millennium, we find the air of the Western society filled with the energy of hatred. Amidst all of our material prosperity, people are tense. On the surface is a happy contentment with an exciting passion for the things of this world; but beneath the surface a blind, demonic rage is growing in the hearts of men. It is a rage that is nurtured in a spiritual vacuum— in hearts devoid of the love of God and instead occupied with the love of self. In many, this this rage is directed against Christ Himself, and against any people who take Christ’s message seriously and tap into His transformation redemptive power. In others, the rage is directed against nothing in particular, and hence against everything. In these, too, the rage is against God himself, for God is the creator of all.
Our Lord told us that the chief commandments are that we love God with all our heart, mind and soul, and that we love our neighbor as ourselves. But, truly, ours is a time when “the love of many grows cold”: both love for God and love for our fellow man.”
Reference
The Orthodox Word, for the Mission of True Orthodox Christianity. Vol. 36, No 1(210), January-February 2000, pages 5-6. St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood.
I agree. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Either we believe or we do not. Lord have mercy!
Beautiful! Thank you for these words. Such encouragement in these times.
Lord have mercy. May we follow Him and not fear.
I do not feel I am afraid of the coronavirus or the physical death that it may cause. On the other hand, I cannot deny that a pandemic does exist, and that we must temporarily alter our behaviors to prevent the virus from spreading and causing harm. I don’t think that is an un-Christian perspective. I think that science and medicine are a gift from God and they should be used appropriately to mitigate the impact of the virus.