Self-esteem

A healthy self-esteem is centered in our relationship with God

In the first chapter of Genesis we read that man is made in God’s image, and that we are called to be like Him. The Church Fathers say that this image is mainly reflected in our free will, and in our intelligence. Our self worth is based on this relationship with the God Who loves us, and as long as we do not give ourselves over to pride, a healthy self-esteem is simply an acknowledgement that our worth is centered in our relationship with God.

To base our self-esteem in anything other than this relationship with Christ, would lead to narcissism, and would be a clear sign that we are out of spiritual balance. Therefore, a healthy self-esteem must be based on the acknowledgement that our strengths and weaknesses as God’s creatures, is being redeemed by a loving Saviour with whom we receive grace sufficient to live a life that is being transformed into His likeness. As Orthodox Christians, our self-esteem must be experienced in light of a divine perspective.

Saint John Cassian in the Philokalia tells us, “The angel who fell from heaven because of his pride bears witness to this. He had been created by God and adorned with every virtue and all wisdom, but he did not want to ascribe this to the grace of the Lord. He ascribed it his own nature and as a result regarded himself equal to God.” As Christians living in repentance, we know that our worth and self-esteem is solely based on our relationship with God. “Yet not I, but the grace of God which was in me.” (1 Corinthians 15:10).

When we put on Christ at baptism and continue to live our life in repentance, we become a reflection of the light of Christ, and we are His creatures. In our relationship with Christ, we have no independent existence, for we depend on God for all, and by His mercy we can have the light of Christ indwell in us. This is a spiritual reality revealed by Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and the value of this is unfathomable. Our personal self-worth is therefore directly related to this redeeming and life transforming relationship.

With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon

Photo: Our friends, Father Seraphim and Matushka Juliana Cardoza of Rogue River, Oregon, have spent the past week with us.

Friday October 10, 2014 / September 27, 2014

18th Week after Pentecost. Tone eight.
Fast. By Monastic Charter: Strict Fast (Bread, Vegetables, Fruits)

Martyr Callistratus and his company (49 Martyrs) of Carthage (304).
Venerable Sabbatius, wonderworker of Solovki (1435).
New Hieromartyr Demetrius priest (1918).
New Hieromartyrs Herman bishop of Volsk and Michael priest (1919).
Hieromartyr Peter, metropolitan of Krutitsa (1937).
New Hieromartyr Theodore priest (1937).
Apostles Mark, Aristarchus, and Zenas of the Seventy.
Martyr Epicharis of Rome (284).
Venerable Ignatius, abbot of the monastery of the Deep Stream (970).
Venerables Sergius (1392) and Nikon (1426) abbots of Radonezh.
New Martyr Aquilina of Thessalonica (1764) (Greek).
St. Flavian, Archbishop of Antioch (381-404).
Hieromartyr Anthimus the Georgian, metropolitan of Wallachia (1716).
St. Rachel, schemanun of Borodino Convent (1928).
St. Sigebert, king of the East Angles, martyr (635) (Celtic & British).
St. Barry, disciple of St. Cadoc.
Martyr Fortunatus and Hieromartyr Philemon (Greek).
Martyr Gaiana (Greek).
25 Martyrs drowned in the sea (Greek).

The Scripture Readings for the Day

Ephesians 6:18-24

18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

A Gracious Greeting

21 But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you; 22 whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts.

23 Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

Luke 6:17-23

Jesus Heals a Great Multitude

17 And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, 18 as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. 19 And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.

The Beatitudes

20 Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said:

“Blessed are you poor,
For yours is the kingdom of God.
21 Blessed are you who hunger now,
For you shall be filled.
Blessed are you who weep now,
For you shall laugh.
22 Blessed are you when men hate you,
And when they exclude you,
And revile you, and cast out your name as evil,
For the Son of Man’s sake.
23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy!
For indeed your reward is great in heaven,
For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.