GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA
8-10 East 79th St. New York, NY 10075-0106
Tel: (212) 570-3530 Fax: (212) 774-0215
Web: http://www.goarch.org
Email: communications@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Reflections - May 2008
We conclude our series on renewal by addressing the most significant
purpose
of our spiritual transformation to salvation and eternal life. Over the
past few months, we have examined the im****tance of the renewal of heart,
renewal of spirit, and renewal of our lifestyles. These are vital areas
in
giving us knowledge and direction in the heavenly kingdom. They are also
aspects of the complete and saving renewal of our relation****p with God.
The renewal of this relation****p is the ultimate goal of our lives.
In the Holy Scriptures and in the message of the Gospel proclaimed by the
Apostles and the Church, we know that this relation****p was broken and
injured by sin. Communion with our Creator and life in His divine
presence
was hindered to such a degree that life itself was overcome by death, and
the ability and potential of the divine image within us was held in
bondage.
After the Fall, this burden was so great and its effects so extensive,
that
humankind alone was incapable of renewing this relation****p of life and
peace.
Thus, the path to renewal and to a complete restoration of our
relation****p
with God was made possible through Jesus Christ. His life, miracles,
teachings, Passion, and Resurrection are a visible witness of the love of
God offered to all humanity. His message is an invitation to experience
grace through repentance, life through His conquering of death, and
renewal
through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the way, the truth, and
the
life (John 14:6), and it is through our faith in Him and in the mystery
and
power of what He has accomplished that begins, continues, and perfects the
renewal of our relation****p with God.
The renewal of this blessed relation****p is not possible unless we seek
God's
forgiveness with repentant hearts. This was discussed in our reflection
on
"renewal of the heart." Here we can contemplate the imagery of the
parable
of the Prodigal Son. God is waiting to receive us, embrace us, to clothe
us
in righteousness and lead us to the great banquet, to restore us to a
place
of dignity; but we must recognize the futility of the ways of the world,
admit our own failings and sinful passions, and seek His forgiveness. He
is
calling us to return, to renew a loving relation****p if we are willing to
move our hearts, minds, and all of our lives away from sin and toward Him.
Our relation****p with God is renewed as we respond to His grace through
prayer and wor****p. Our knowledge of the truth of life and our experience
of His power, holiness, and love lead us to offer Him praise and
thanksgiving. This is a continuous response that originates in our
hearts,
that is guided by the divine services of the Church, and that culminates
in
lives filled with joy and beautiful communion with Him and one another.
Further, our relation****p with God is nurtured through daily prayer and
times of solitude and contemplation, where we offer to Him our concerns
and
burdens and receive strength, guidance, and peace to address the
challenges
and tasks of life. Through prayer we express our trust in Him and our
commitment to His will; and His loving presence and faithfulness to our
needs gives us the assurance of renewal and of the fulfillment of all of
His
promises.
Finally, our relation****p with God is renewed through our knowledge of the
truth. Our world is filled with competing philosophies about life,
knowledge, being, purpose, and happiness. Yet God has revealed His great
love for us and has made known the Truth concerning all things necessary
for
our salvation and our restoration to communion with Him. Through the
presence of our Risen Lord, the Holy Scriptures, the lives of the Saints,
and through our prayer and wor****p of God in spirit and in truth, (John 4:
23) we can forge anew a relation****p with God that will perpetually
sustain
us throughout this life and into His great and glorious presence for all
eternity.
+DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America
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