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.
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ABOUT RESPECT
Turning to the Holy Scripture for guidance so as to how to live according to the will of God we are advised by Saint Paul the following: "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem (respect) others better than himself" (Philippians 2:3). "Conceit", of vainglory, is a common and fatal vice. It obstructs spiritual growth and of striving to attain spiritual maturity.
"Then last of all he sent his son to them, saying, 'They will respect my son" (St. Matthew 21:37). Respect is another virtue that a Christian believer must adhere to and practice daily. Respect of others, no matter their status or office, should be taught not only to adults but especially to children.
There can be no relationship with others, whether relatives, friends or coworkers if there is no mutual respect. Respect indicates trust, love, patience, humility, and gentleness. In Saint Paul's First Letter to the Christians of Corinth Chapter 13 speaks on the superiority of love over all other gifts. How do we know we are genuinely acting with love? Saint Paul writes, "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity but rejoices in the truth; bears all things...endures all things. Love never fails..." (vs. 4-8).
Our greatest example is our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. We, as His followers and disciples must emulate Him in everything. His respect and even obedience to His Holy Mother, the Ever-Virgin Mary throughout His earthly life. His respect for the Temple where He would worship in and teach. His respect for the Divine Law. His respect for Saint John the Baptist and His Forerunner.
There is an interconnection between all God-given virtues including respect. We, as Christians, must always respect our fellow man, our co-worker, our teachers, our parents, our friends, our spiritual leaders, persons of authority, our Church, and we must always be willing to put up with everything and everyone, no matter what comes our way.
Furthermore, we must always keep alive and strong our own self-respect. Our words and actions will reveal if truly have self-respect. One who has self-respect will respect others no matter who they are. One who has kept his/her self-respect is a person of dignity and great worth. One who has self-respect is one who has self-restraint and is not easily provoked by the words or actions of another.
Finally, respect is not demanded by one, but it is earned!
Respectfully,
+Father George