A Missing Generation in Orthodox America - Concluding Thoughts

 

That last post didn't complete my story.  I didn't suddenly become holy or righteous or perfect or so happy or whatever people assume happens next.  What did happen was healing.  And I can't really explain how it happened or give you a timetable, but with my return to the Church and intentional and conscious participation in the Church's mysteries, I am healing, I am being saved.  That is salvation.    

As an aside, I haven't received any psychological counseling (which there is nothing wrong with by the way).  I don't take medications, I don't do drugs nor do I drink regularly (except for an occasional glass or two of wine).  I'm not exceedingly wealthy without financial cares.  I say this so that you can understand that there isn't any other explanation for this transformation of the damaged young woman that I once was.  The insane crippling anxiety diminished considerably after my first honest confession. It was and remains a mystery. And while it is unexplainable, I know nothing to be truer. As God as my witness, I'm not lying about this.  He was there, He knows.  And the most astonishing part about this was that I did not expect it to happen.  I didn't walk into that Church knowing that this would be the result.  But it was.  I could breathe. It was God's Grace and it was physically and emotionally perceptible to me. Intangible but tangible at the same time.  It was a gift that I didn't expect much less deserve and it taught me volumes about the love of God.  And as I continue to live within the bosom of the Church, the healing continues. It's not over by any stretch.  

And so my dear readers, if you are estranged from the Church, be a stranger no more. If you are considering entering Orthodoxy from another tradition, you too can be a partaker of this Inexhaustible Cup.  Taste and see that the Lord is good. I was the prodigal daughter and He didn't turn me away.  Instead He waited for me to come home and ran to embrace me.  I swear to you, I'm not making this up and He waits for you too.  Jesus Christ is the Truth and the Truth will set you free.  He did for me.  

   

 

The Crossroads of AD and BC

An ancient temple dedicated to Zeus located in modern day Turkey

I teach 6th grade, all subjects.  While it is a monumental amount of work, I love every moment of it and wouldn't trade it for all the tea in China.

Sixth grade Social Studies standards cover the major ancient civilizations and while they are all truly astounding, Ancient Mesopotamia and Ancient Greece are the two that stand out as the most fun and engaging to teach.  Ancient Rome is a close third because 12 year-olds love volcanoes and gladiators and Ancient Rome definitely has both.

I will readily admit that I knew pretty much zero about Ancient Mesopotamia and maybe close to zero about Ancient Greece when I started teaching.  At no time of my academic development do I ever remember learning about ancient civilizations so this was relatively new to me.  As I started to learn about these times and places while organizing lessons, a huge connection to my life as a Christian manifested.  Once you learn about these real historical people and places, the Old and Testament fall into place and a whole new level of understanding arises.  

The following passage takes place in what is now modern day Turkey apparently close to a temple dedicated to the Greek god, Zeus. St. Paul and St. Barnabas are out healing the sick while evangelizing and people freak out and think St. Barnabas is Zeus incarnate and St. Paul is Hermes because of his eloquence.  Here it is from Acts 14:6-18:

⁶ they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycao′nia, and to the surrounding country;
⁷ and there they preached the gospel.
⁸ Now at Lystra there was a man sitting, who could not use his feet; he was a cripple from birth, who had never walked.
⁹ He listened to Paul speaking; and Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well,
¹⁰ said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and walked.
¹¹ And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycao′nian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!”
¹² Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, because he was the chief speaker, they called Hermes.
¹³ And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the people.
¹⁴ But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out among the multitude, crying,
¹⁵ “Men, why are you doing this? We also are men, of like nature with you, and bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.
¹⁶ In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways;
¹⁷ yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”
¹⁸ With these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.

There is just so much here to think about.  It's the cultural crossroads of BC and AD.  Also, the deep humility of the apostles as they lose their minds when people try to worship them. For me though, what I especially hold onto are verses 16-17.  God had done good to these people even when they lived in darkness as those outside of His chosen people of Ancient Israel.  But now was the time for the ultimate revelation to ALL people.  And that revelation is Jesus Christ, the true incarnate God, the lover of all mankind.

Christ is Risen!