Milica Yaksich
When we notice an error it glares at us like a cheap neon sign that demands our attention and annoys us until we are provoked to react. We have all experienced it and we have all at some time or other trivialized the error as, for example: a "typo" when it was actually a spelling mistake rather than a slip of the key. This convenient way of avoiding blame or responsibility has worked well, like a big white linen dust cover that keeps the dirt off and hides what is underneath from the outside as well as hiding what is outside from the underneath. To a certain extent, this kind of restraint, when done out of love and compassion is virtuous, and it is often the prideful that point out the error in order to demonstrate their superiority. What concerns me is that I perceive something else far less virtuous going on: a mutual buffer of avoidance and apathy that promotes ignorance and sin while it stifles growth and improvement. It is the new "politically correct" etiquette and the new "moral standard" of today's society.
At a time when so many have taken an alarmist (even paranoid) stance in the face of terrorism and all the threats (real and unreal) to personal security, it seems almost humorous that society has chosen to minimize the significance of so many real threats to our moral and spiritual well-being. The general population certainly views itself as a moral body, concerned with justice and the rights of humans and animals and protecting the environment. Many even consider themselves to have faith in God and to be God-fearing?When one considers how "political correctness" has twisted some moral values and confused the whole issue of right and wrong in so many matters, one wonders what "God-fearing" really means to some people.
There was a time when celebrities would not have survived the scandals reported today, but we are a much more forgiving lot. Some of us could care less and those crying moral outrage are all too often the most faithful consumers of such fare. The fact is that there is relatively little moral outrage because society sees little wrong with immorality. There is a far greater outcry when a "Christian Nativity scene" is displayed in a public place during the "Xmas Holidays" or if someone suggests that "Christmas" has something to do with "Jesus Christ" instead of "Santa Claus and flying reindeer" and food, and decorations and presents or some quaint myth. The Resurrection is overshadowed by the Bunny sidekick of some pagan fertility goddess and yet more commercial emphasis on sugar and overindulgence. It is all right to encourage "multi-culturalism" and mention all the holidays of various other religions and draw attention to their feasts and fasts, but when it comes to Christianity the public is fed some watered-down Protestant version and in the end the atheists get their way in the arena of politics and education.
We are a pampered and selfish lot. We want to save the earth, the precious creation that God entrusted to our care, but we do not want to give up anything that may significantly help the environment if it will mean we will be less comfortable. It is much easier to wear the right color for a day to let the world know we support a good cause or buy some well-marketed accessory that indulges our fashion-sense and tells everyone we support the poor in Africa. While some such causes may do some good at one end, they require vanity, pride, and greed of their "benefactors" and by exploiting it, encourage it. The Apostle's Fast is a long one this year for us "Old Calendarists" and though it is not a particularly stringent fast, those who keep it (and I fear they are few) are already noticing how long it is. There are considerably fewer people in Church and I wonder if somewhere in the world there is a Church where there are suddenly a lot more people attending. The fact is that it is summer vacation and a lot of people must be on vacation. Can you take a vacation from God? I hear a lot of "God Bless ?" on the television and in conversations here and there and though I cherish having God's blessing, there are times when it sounds more like a casual saying or greeting. There is nothing casual in my mind about God and I take offense at hearing His name used as if it were some inconsequential salutation. There was a time when people feared God. They did the right thing because they believed that there were consequences. They felt respect and awe when they thought or spoke of God, and when they were troubled they found comfort in prayer.
Today, sadly there are many who do not know God and do not wish to know Him. They prefer to believe that their moral duty is being on the correct side of a political or social issue. They believe that if they are a "good" person that is enough. They do not see God's miracles all around them. Miracles are the work of doctors and scientists and, on occasion, some freak occurrence that may involve angels and requires a session with a psychic for verification.
Please forgive me my cynicism. There is a time to be quiet and bite one's tongue, and there is a time to speak the truth, for I do still believe that there is truth and that it is singular and not relative. None of this "my truth is different from your truth". My heart breaks for all the souls that do not know God and His endless love, all the children that are being led astray, all those who are unfulfilled, lusting after happiness and never feeling true joy. My heart breaks even more for those who call themselves Orthodox and do not even know their own faith!
I have a suggestion. It is summer vacation and while everything is in re-runs anyway, why not do some reading? The beauty of all this technology is that you do not even have to buy or borrow a book, although some of the best stuff still comes that way. Put aside some time and look up Orthodox sites on the Internet. There are many good Orthodox sites where you can get answers to questions, learn about beautiful monasteries and icons, find writings from the Holy Fathers, and gain a better understanding of your faith. Talk to your priest. He is your Spiritual Father and can provide you with good advice about improving your spiritual well being. Even science is finding that the rules of Orthodox fasting make good sense when it comes to heart health and health in general. The spiritual fast is no less beneficial to the body and has the added benefit to the soul. Prayer is as good for physical health as it is good for the spirit, but as the Apostles warn us it is important that prayer and fasting be done together. Do not hide from the truth and do not be blind to the state of your own soul. Look inside your heart and take responsibility for your weaknesses so that you can cleanse yourself with repentance and strengthen your spirit with virtue and love. It is time to right the wrongs that we do to others, to ourselves and to our God. Our Lord revealed Himself in the Light of the Holy Spirit to His Apostles on the Feast of Holy Transfiguration so that we may know Him and realize how we too can be transfigured through faith and the Love of God.
