1/20/09

Some thoughts...

I haven't been feeling like myself for some time now, a variety of symptoms, some days better then others. The travel, long weeks, and my own lack of self care are taking their toll. That all being said I was moved by this verse from today's readings...

Brethren, it is the God who said, "Let light 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 Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair, persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our bodies. For while we live we are always being given up to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. Since we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, "I believed, and so I spoke," we too believed, and so we speak, knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into His presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God...

2 Corinthians 4:6-15

I know I haven't endured even a fraction of what St. Paul has endured but the words bring comfort anyways.

I am God's wheat.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Father,

Thank you for your post. Always brings me great comfort reading your thoughts.
Could it be possible to have your e-mail adress, I would like to talk to you about a problem that causes me great distress these days.
Thank you again.

D.

The Traveler said...

As a matter of course in this world of phishing and spam I can't leave my email in a public place. Even with my email guarded I can't tell you how many times I've discovered that I'm in line to receive a fortune in money from the estate of a government official in Africa!

My suggestion is that you speak with your own Pastor or if you are Orthodox or searching in that direction, your local Orthodox Priest. There's a sacramental and personal nature to the Orthodox sense of counsel that does not lend itself to emails.

Please don't be offended by this, but it is true and its better for you to have someone closer to you with whom to speak.

Anonymous said...

Thank you very much for your sincerity.

D.