My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS.\, AND EVER SHALL BE.

HOPE IN GOD

Faith and hope are indispensable for everyone who faces many challenges in life. Without either faith or hope, a person cannot endure disappointments, failure, pain, suffering, sadness, and even death. Those who lack either one of them fall into despair and hopelessness. When one loses faith and hope in God is not able to face life at it is and tragically it leads some to turn to drugs, alcohol, and even suicide. Suicide among many young people has increased dramatically over the years because they lack both faith and hope in God.

Saint Paul speaks about both in his letter to the Hebrews, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1).

Hope is a God-given virtue together with that of faith. There is enormous power both in faith and hope. No matter what situation we encounter in life when we struggle against great odds and most extreme conditions which may even threaten our very life, we must hold on to faith and hope if we are to triumph and live. According to our Holy Church, the state of hopelessness is the most grievous and horrific condition that anyone can find himself in.

If we possess faith and hope there is nothing that we cannot accomplish in life. Without them nothing is possible. Without them, one falls into a pit of despair and a dark place. He feels unable to climb up from that abyss of fear and agony. Under those dreadful conditions, the person usually gives up.

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ offers hope to all who believe in Him and are willing to follow Him. Do we, however, accept Him as our King and Master? Are we willing to trust Him and to obey Him? Do we truly believe that what is impossible for man is possible with God? The Psalmist makes very clear for us that "our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and shield. Yes, our hearts are glad in Him, because we trust in His Holy Name. Let Your steadfast love, O Lord be upon us, even as we hope in You" (Psalm 33:20-22).

Evagrios of Pontus wrote: "The demon of despondency, which is called the 'noonday demon' (Psalm 91.6) is more grievous than all others...It arouses in him bitterness against the place and way of life itself and his work, adding that there is no more love among the brethren and no one to comfort him...Then it provokes in him a longing for other places..."

Despondency and despair is a spiritual illness and we must seek healing from the Physician of our souls and bodies, Christ God. Our Lord is ready to come to our aid and to bring healing to us but one who is ill must invite Him and trust in Him. "Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, 'Do you believe in the Son of God?' He answered and said, 'Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?' And Jesus said to him, 'You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you.' Then he said, 'Lord, I believe!' And he worshiped Him" (St. John 9:35-38). Having opened the blind man's eyes, Jesus also opens the eyes of his heart, offering spiritual illumination.

We are reminded, dear friends, by our Lord God Who says to us, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him, the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice (St. John 10:1-4).

As Christian believers, we listen only to His voice and no other. "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep" (St. John 10:7). Jesus, the Good Shepherd gives hope to all of mankind, even during a time of uncertainty and distress. He offers salvation to all who believe, the Kingdom of Heaven to those who say to Him, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom." And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise" (St. Luke 23:41-43).

Finally, our Lord says to us: "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace, in the world, you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (St. John 16:33). Despite our suffering that one experiences in life, we, as Christian believers must maintain the peace, faith, hope and joy of Jesus Christ who has "overcome the world" of darkness and despair through His saving work.

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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" -- Saint John Chrysostomos

With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+Father George