There will be no more OCF meetings this semester. Good luck with finals, and have a great summer!
Email me (electric.karma@gmail.com) to get on our emailing list to stay constantly updated especially about going to any Holy Week services, and of course the services on Holy Pascha, the Feast of Feasts, this Sunday, April 19th.
As usual, I will be posting this on the Welcome Page.
I hope everyone’s classes are getting off to a good start.
In honor of the new school year, I wanted to share some prayers with you:
Prayer of a Student
Christ my Lord, the Giver of light and wisdom, who opened the eyes of the blind man and transformed the fishermen into wise heralds and teachers of the gospel through the coming of the Holy Spirit, shine also in my mind the light of the grace of the Holy Spirit. Grant me discernment, understanding and wisdom in learning. Enable me to complete my assignments and to abound in every good work, for to You I give honor and glory. Amen.
Prayers Before Study
Most blessed Lord, send the grace of Your Holy Spirit on me to strengthen me that I may learn well the subject I am about to study and by it become a better person for Your glory, the comfort of my family and the benefit of Your Church and our Nation. AmenChrist, the true light, who enlightens and sanctifies every person coming into the world, let the light of Your countenance shine upon me (us) that I (we) may see Your unapproachable light; and guide my (our) steps in the way of Your commandments, through the intercessions of Your all-holy Mother and of all the Saints. Amen.
Prayer After Study
I thank You, Lord our God, that again on this occasion You have opened my eyes to the light of Your wisdom. You have gladdened my heart with the knowledge of truth. I entreat You, Lord, help me always to do Your will. Bless my soul and body, my words and deeds. Enable me to grow in grace, virtue and good habits, that Your name may be glorified, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.Prayer Before Studying the Bible
Master who loves us, shine Your eternal light in our hearts that we may better know you. Help us to fully understand Your gospel message. Instill in us respect for Your holy commandments, that by overcoming our worldly desires we might life a spiritual life of thoughts and deeds which pleases You. We ask this of You, O Christ our god, for You are the light of our souls and bodies and You we glorify with Your eternal Father and Your all-holy good and life-giving Spirit now and forever. Amen.Shine within my heart, loving Master, the pure light of Your divine knowledge, and open the eyes of my mind that I may understand Your teachings. Instill in me also reverence for Your blessed commandments, so that having conquered sinful desires I may pursue a spiritual way of life, thinking and doing all those things that are pleasing to You. For You, Christ my God, are my light, and to You I give glory together with Your Father and Your Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
Be sure to check our “Welcome!” page for updated information about meeting times. Don’t forget to find our OCF table at Campus Life Night for more info.
Have a good year, and may God bless us and keep us.
The Pilgrim Continues His Way- The Confession
The next day, by God’s help, I came to Kiev. The first and chief thing I wanted was to fast a while and to make my confession and communion in that holy town. So I stopped near the saints (a monastery with catacombs containing the uncorrupted bodies of many famous ancient saints), as that would be easier for getting to church. A good, old Cossack took me in, and as he lived alone in his hut, I found peace and quiet there. At the end of a week in which I had been getting ready for my confession, the thought came to me that I would make it as detailed as I could. So I began to recall and go over all my sins from youth onward very fully, and so as not to forget it all I wrote down everything I could remember in the utmost detail. I covered a large sheet of paper with it.
I heard that at Kitaevaya Pustina, about five miles from Kiev, there was a priest of ascetic life who was very wise and understanding. Whoever went to him for confession found an atmosphere of tender compassion and came away with teaching for his salvation and ease of spirit. I was very glad to hear of this, and I went to him at once. After I had asked his advice and we had talked awhile, I gave him my sheet of paper to see. He read it through and then said, “Dear friend, a lot of this that you have written is quite futile. Listen: First, don’t bring into confession sins which you have already repented of and had forgiven. Don’t go over them again, for that would be to doubt the power of the sacrament of penance. Next, don’t call to mind other people who have been connected with your sins; judge yourself only. Thirdly, the holy Fathers forbid us to mention all the circumstances of the sins, and tell us to acknowledge them in general, so as to avoid temptation both for ourselves and for the priest. Fourthly, you have come to repent and you are not repenting of the fact that you can’t repent- that is, your penitence is lukewarm and careless. Fifthly, you have gone over all these details, but the most important thing you have overlooked: you have not disclosed the gravest sins of all. You have not acknowledged, nor written down, that you do not love God, that you hate your neighbor, that you do not believe in God’s Word, and that you are filled with pride and ambition. A whole mass of evil, and all our spiritual depravity is in these four sins. They are the chief roots out of which spring the shoots of all the sins into which we fall.”
I was very much surprised to hear this, and I said, “Forgive me, reverend Father, but how is it possible not to love God our Creator and Preserver? What is there to believe in if not the Word of God, in which everything is true and holy? I wish well to all my neighbors, and why should I hate them? I have nothing to be proud of; besides having numberless sins, I have nothing at all which is fit to be praised, and what should I with my poverty and ill-health lust after? Of course, if I were an educated man, or rich, then no doubt I should be guilty of the things you spoke of.”
“It’s a pity, dear one, that you so little understood what I said. Look! It will teach you more quickly if I give you these notes. They are what I always use for my own confession. Read them through, and you will see clearly enough an exact proof of what I said to you just now.”
He gave me the notes, and I began to read them, as follows:
A Confession Which Leads The Inward Man To Humility
–Turning my eyes carefully upon myself and watching the course of my inward state, I have verified by experience that I do not love God, that I have no love for my neighbors, that I have no religious belief, and that I am filled with pride and sensuality. All this I actually find in myself as a result of detailed examination of my feelings and conduct, thus:
1. I do not love God. For if I loved God I should be continually thinking about Him with heartfelt joy. Every thought of God would give me gladness and delight. On the contrary, I much more often and much more eagerly think about earthly things, and thinking about God is labor and dryness. If I loved God, then talking with Him in prayer would be my nourishment and delight and would draw me to unbroken communion with Him. But, on the contrary, I not only find no delight in prayer, but even find it an effort. I struggle with reluctance, I am enfeebled by sloth and am ready to occupy myself eagerly with any unimportant trifle, if only it shortens prayer and keeps me from it. My time slips away unnoticed in futile occupations, but when I am occupied with God, when I put myself into His presence, every hour seems like a year. If one person loves another, he thinks of him throughout the day without ceasing, he pictures him to himself, he cares for him, and in all circumstances his beloved friend is never out of his thoughts. But I, throughout the day, scarcely set aside even a single hour in which to sink deep down into meditation upon God, to inflame my heart with love of Him, while I eagerly give up 23 hours as fervent offerings to the idols of my passions. I am forward in talk about frivolous matters and things which degrade the spirit; that gives me pleasure. But in the consideration of God I am dry, bored, and lazy. Even if I am unwillingly drawn by others into spiritual conversation, I try to shift the subject quickly to one which pleases my desires. I am tirelessly curious about novelties, about civic affairs and political events; I eagerly seek the satisfaction of my love of knowledge in science and art, and ways of getting things I want to possess. But the study of the law of God, the knowledge of God and of religion, make little impression on me, and satisfy no hunger of my soul. I regard these things not only as a non-essential occupation for a Christian, but in a casual way as a sort of side-issue with which I should perhaps occupy my spare time, at odd moments. To put it shortly, if love for God is recognized by the keeping of His commandments (“If ye love Me, keep My commandments,” says our Lord Jesus Christ), and I not only do not keep them, but even make little attempt to do so, then in absolute truth the conclusion follows that I do not love God. That is what Basil the Great says: “The proof that a man does not love God and His Christ lies in the fact that he does not keep His commandments.”
2. I do not love my neighbor either. For not only am I unable to make up my mind to lay down my life for his sake (according to the gospel), but I do not even sacrifice my happiness, well-being, and peace for the good of my neighbor. If I did love him as myself, as the gospel bids, his misfortunes would distress me also, his happiness would bring delight to me too. But, on the contrary, I listen to curious, unhappy stories about my neighbor, and I am not distressed; I remain quite undisturbed or, what is still worse, I find a sort of pleasure in them. Bad conduct on the part of my brother I do not cover up with love, but proclaim abroad with censure. His well-being, honor, and happiness do not delight me as my own, and, as if they were something quite alien to me, give me no feeling of gladness. What is more, they subtly arouse in me feelings of envy or contempt.
3. I have no religious belief. Neither in immortality nor in the gospel. If I were firmly persuaded and believed without doubt that beyond the grave lies eternal life and recompense for the deeds of this life, I should be continually thinking of this. The very idea of immortality would terrify me and I should lead this life as a foreigner who gets ready to enter his native land. On the contrary, I do not even think about eternity, and I regard the end of this earthly life as the limit of my existence. The secret thought nestles within me: Who knows what happens at death? If I say I believe in immortality, then I am speaking about my mind only, and my heart is far removed from a firm conviction about it. That is openly witnessed to by my conduct and my constant care to satisfy the life of the senses. Were the holy gospel taken into my heart in faith, as the Word of God, I should be continually occupied with it, I should study it, find delight in it, and with deep devotion fix my attention upon it. Wisdom, mercy, and love are hidden in it; it would lead me to happiness, I should find gladness in the study of the law of God day and night. In it I should find nourishment like my daily bread, and my heart would be drawn to the keeping of its laws. Nothing on earth would be strong enough to turn me away from it. On the contrary, if now and again I read or hear the Word of God, yet even so it is only from necessity or from a general love of knowledge, and approaching it without any very close attention I find it dull and uninteresting. I usually come to the end of the reading without any profit, only too ready to change over to secular reading in which I take more pleasure and find new and interesting subjects.
4. I am full of pride and sensual self-love. All my actions confirm this. Seeing something good in myself, I want to bring it into view, or to pride myself upon it before other people or inwardly to admire myself for it. Although I display an outward humility, yet I ascribe it all to my own strength and regard myself as superior to others, or at least no worse than they. If I notice a fault in myself, I try to excuse it; I cover it up by saying, “I am made like that” or “I am not to blame”. I get angry with those who do not treat me with respect and consider them unable to appreciate the value of people. I brag about my gifts: my failures in any undertaking I regard as a personal insult. I murmur, and I find pleasure in the unhappiness of my enemies. If I strive after anything good it is for the purpose of winning praise, or spiritual self-indulgence, or earthly consolation. In a word, I continually make an idol of myself and render it uninterrupted service, seeking in all things the pleasures of the senses and nourishment for my sensual passions and lusts.
–Going over all this I see myself as proud, adulterous, unbelieving, without love for God and hating my neighbor. What state could be more sinful? The condition of the spirits of darkness is better than mine. They, although they do not love God, hate men, and live upon pride, yet at least believe and tremble. But I? Can there be a doom more terrible than that which faces me, and what sentence of punishment will be more severe than that upon the careless and foolish life that I recognize in myself?
On reading through this form of confession which the priest gave me I was horrified, and I thought to myself, “Good heavens! What frightful sins there are hidden within me, and up to now I’ve never noticed them!” The desire to be cleansed from them made me beg this great spiritual father to teach me how to know the causes of all these evils and how to cure them. And he began to instruct me.
“You see, dear brother, the cause of not loving God is want of belief, want of belief is caused by lack of conviction, and the cause of that is failure to seek for holy and true knowledge, indifference to the light of the spirit. In a word, if you don’t believe, you can’t love; if you are not convinced, you can’t believe, and in order to reach conviction you must get a full and exact knowledge of the matter before you. By meditation, by the study of God’s Word, and by noting your experience, you must arouse in your soul a thirst and a longing- or, as some call it, ‘wonder’- which brings you an insatiable desire to know things more closely and more fully, to go deeper into their nature.
“One spiritual writer speaks of it in this way: ‘Love,’ he says, ‘usually grows with knowledge, and the greater the depth and extent of the knowledge the more love there will be, the more easily the heart will soften and lay itself open to the love of God, as it diligently gazes upon the very fullness and beauty of the divine nature and His unbounded love for men.’
“So now you see that the cause of those sins which you read over is slothfulness in thinking about spiritual things, sloth which stifles the feeling of the need of such thought. If you want to know how to overcome this evil, strive after enlightenment of spirit by every means in your power, attain it by diligent study of the Word of God and of the holy Fathers, by the help of meditation and spiritual counsel, and by the conversation of those who are wise in Christ. Ah, dear brother, how much disaster we meet with just because we are lazy about seeking light for our souls through the word of truth. We do not study God’s law day and night, and we do not pray about it diligently and unceasingly. And because of this our inner man is hungry and cold, starved, so that it has no strength to take a bold step forward upon the road of righteousness and salvation! And so, beloved, let us resolve to make use of these methods, and as often as possible fill our minds with thoughts of heavenly things; and love, poured down into our hearts from on high, will burst into flame within us. We will do this together and pray as often as we can, for prayer is the chief and strongest means for our renewal and well-being. We will pray, in the words holy Church teaches us: ‘Oh God, make me fit to love Thee now, as I have loved sin in the past’” (from the 8th prayer in the morning prayers of the lay prayer book of the Russian church).
I listened to all this with care. Deeply moved, I asked this holy father to hear my confession and to give me communion. And so next morning after the honor of my communion, I was for going back to Kiev with this blessed viaticum. But this good father of mine, who was going to the Lavra (certain very large monasteries of Russia) for a couple of days, kept me for that time in his hermit’s cell, so that in its silence I might give myself up to prayer without hindrance. And, in fact, I did spend both those days as though I were in Heaven. By the prayers of my starets (elder) I, unworthy as I am, rejoiced in perfect peace. Prayer flowed out in my heart so easily and happily that during that time I think I forgot everything, and myself; in my mind was Jesus Christ and He alone.
In the end, the priest came back, and I asked his guidance and advice- where should I go now on my pilgrim way? He gave me his blessing with these words, “You go to Pochaev, make your reverence there to the wonder-working footprint (An old story from the 13th century says that Our Lady Mary surrounded by saints appeared to a group of shepherds. She left her footprint where she stood on a rock, which since that time has sprung water. This footprint is still in the monastery and the water has always had healing powers) of the most pure Mother of God, and she will guide your feet into the way of peace.” And so, taking his advice in faith, three days later I set off for Pochaev.
“From the day of a child’s birth he is taught by every circumstance, by every law and rule and right, to protect his own life. He starts with that great instinct, and everything confirms it. And then he is a soldier and he must learn to violate all of this–he must learn coldly to put himself in the way of losing his own life without going mad. And if you can do that–and mind you, come can’t–then you will have the greatest gift of all…
…nearly all men are afraid, and they don’t even know what causes their fear–shadows, perplexities, dangers without names or numbers, fear of a faceless death. But if you can bring yourself to face not shadows but real death, described and recognizable, by bullet or saber, arrow or lance, then you need never be afraid again, at least not in the same way you were before. Then you will be a man set apart from other men, safe where other men cry in terror. This is the great reward.” ~Cyrus Trask, East of Eden
This is not from a great theologian, but a fictional character in one of Steinback’s best. Here he is talking about serving in the military of this world, but I couldn’t help but notice the parallel between the earthly army and the Legion of Christ, His Church, and our duty as soldiers enlisted to Her.
“The more rain falls on the earth, the softer it makes it; similarly, Christ’s holy name gladdens the earth of our heart the more we call upon it.” — St. Hesychois the Priest, from the Philokalia
Just quote sharing, with nothing particular to say.
((http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/saints.asp?contentid=422))
Nicephoros the Martyr of Antioch
February 9
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
Thy Martyr, O Lord, in his courageous contest for Thee received the prize of the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. For since he possessed Thy strength, he cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the
demons’ strengthless presumption. O Christ God, by his prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.
Kontakion in the First Tone
Bound fast with chains of love, thou didst mightily sunder the wickedness of hatred with manifest courage, and hence, O Nicephorus, when the sword had cut off thy head, thou wast shown to be a godly Martyr of Jesus, our Incarnate Saviour; pray Him for us who honor thy glorious memory.
Reading:
This Martyr, who was from Antioch in Syria, contested during the reign of Gallienus, about the year 260. Through the working of the evil one, his friendship with a certain Christian priest named Sapricius was turned to bitter hatred. Nicephorus, repenting of his enmity, tried both through intermediaries and in person to be reconciled with Sapricius, but to no avail. Later, when the persecution broke out under Valerian and Gallienus, Sapricius was seized as a Christian. When Saint Nicephorus learned that Sapricius had been arrested by the pagans and was enduring torments for Christ, he sent intermediaries to Sapricius, begging his forgiveness; but Sapricius would not forgive him. Later, as Sapricius was being taken to beheading, Nicephorus, hoping that Sapricius, at his end, in such a holy hour, would at last forgive him, met him on the way, fell before him, and fervently asked his forgiveness; but Sapricius forgave him not. Wherefore, though Sapricius had passed through many sufferings, and the crown of martyrdom was now awaiting him, because he disdained the chief
commandments of love and forgiveness, the grace of God, which had been strengthening him in his torments, departed from him, and he told his executioners he would sacrifice. Nicephorus immediately confessed Christ before them, and being himself beheaded, took the crown that Sapricius had cast away.
“…though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.” ~ 1 Cor. 13:3
House Blessings for Theophany!
Well, dorm/apt. blessings. Same thing.
:)
((From: http://southern-orthodoxy.blogspot.com/2004_08_01_archive.html ))
It was only a dream.
Yet, for an eternal moment I felt as if I were the only person in the universe, floating through a vast darkness — no light, anywhere.
Then, off in the distance, I saw a blinding white light such as I’d never seen before.
As I approached the light, I became increasingly aware of all the sinful actions of my life.
But it was more than that. I also became extremely aware of my attitudes, past thoughts and prejudices — so much so that I wanted to leave my body. I wanted to jump out of this dirty sinful self and into the bright Holy Light …
But I could not.
Instead, I entered the brilliant unknown realm just as I was …
I was greeted by someone that I perceived to be an angel. Unlike the angels I’d always imagined, this being had no wings, no harp, no baby face. He did not sit on a cloud of white.
However, he was extremely beautiful.
“Welcome,” said the angel.
I could not tear my eyes away from the beautiful light that radiated from his face.
Again, “Welcome.”
“Hello,” I muttered, “where am I?”
He smiled and said “Surely you received and accepted our invitation, or you would not be here. You must know where you are.”
“No, no ..” I said, “please tell me.”
“This is the Kingdom of God. All is beauty, all is holy, all is love. Everything — including YOU (my dirty little man) is here because God wills it to be so.”
“But I’m not worthy,” I sighed.
“Yes. You are right, you’re not,” he replied.
For the first time since my arrival, I was able to peel my eyes away from his radiant face and scan the holy land. I cannot describe for you this place … its beauty … the light.
Then suddenly, my eyes glimpsed someone I knew — a sinner from earth! I said to the angel “Surely you must be mistaken. I am not in heaven — for look there, that man is a sinner! I knew him. I doubt he believed in Jesus Christ … and, as far as I know, he never went to church a day in his life! What is he doing here?”
“He was invited,” said the guide. “He came.”
For a brief horrifying moment, I saw my own reflection in his beautiful face.
As we traveled along, I saw others that I knew — both sinners and saints. I was very confused — and yet, at the same time, quite overwhelmed. I asked my guide many questions. But his answers all had something to do with “they were invited,” “accepted our invitation,” or, “because God wills it to be so.”
Suddenly, I stopped dead in my tracks. There stood Jack Tyndall. I despised him! Oh, how I hated him!
I turned to the light-filled being and said, “I can’t believe he is here! I cannot stand him!”
“But, remember,” said the angel, “remember … once, twice — you prayed for him.”
[He’s right. Although it almost killed me, I did make it a habit to pray for my enemies.]
“Is that why he’s here?!” I whined.
“No — that’s how you got in,” he said.
My head began to swim with confusion. Sure, I’d prayed for my enemies — but, I surely hadn’t prayed that I’d spend eternity with them!
Then, almost like a staged parade, one by one, enemies and scoundrels alike all passed before me. I started yelling at my angelic guide.
“But she’s an adulteress! Everyone knew she slept around all over town. She had no morals.”
“God invited her,” he said. “Everything changed when she accepted our invitation.”
“Him! I can’t believe this, surely I’m in the wrong place. I mean, that guy cared for nothing but money! He had no faith!”
“In you maybe,” replied the angel, “but, in his time he donated much money to the Church and to charitable causes allowing many to live a better life to the glory of God. You may not have recognized it on earth but, here, we look into one’s heart — and his is as big as the moon and filled with the love of God.”
By now, I’d started to cry. I saw nothing before me but people I’d hated. Where were the folks that I loved. Where was my wife? My mother? My father? Grandmother? Where were all of my friends who’d died?
Almost on the brink of hysteria, I turned to the glowing creature and pleaded “But, where are my loved ones?”
“Why should they be here?” he asked.
“For me!” I shouted. “Because I love them! They are my family! No, maybe they weren’t all perfect — but they were good folks. Please, oh please, tell me where are my loved ones?”
He, too, shed a tear. The light subsided a bit, and he showed me his hands, his feet and side. In an instant, I recognized Him.
In that same moment, I became white as snow — no longer feeling dirty and unworthy.
He said to me, “I, too, know love. And it is my love that has brought you, and these people, to this Kingdom. Many whom you love are here also, but you should know that they are no more loved than these whom you hate. For they are all My family. I am the Judge. My Father has given me the reign of His Kingdom. And as you know, I opened my heart for the love of the world — that those who love Me might inherit eternal life.”
He then vanished from my sight …
… and all those who were before me changed.
No.
I changed.
I saw clearly, for the first time, that these were not my enemies. They were … my family.
All things became clear … “God so loved the world …”
“Jesus died for your sins.”
“God’s will …”
“God’s invitation …”
“God.”
I became overwhelmed with joy! There was shouting, dancing, music and, spread before me — the family, and all the hosts of heaven — was a great feast surrounding the throne of Light!
But, someone was missing. Where was the guide who’d brought me to the banquet? — who’d opened my eyes?
Where was the Christ — Who’d taught me so much? Where was He who loved me? Where was He that had died that I might live? He was with me just a moment ago …
Turning to my neighbor, I asked “Where is He? The Bridegroom?”
He nodded in the direction of the gate through which I had entered — and there stood the Lord Jesus, sadly waiting by the entrance to the Kingdom.
“What’s wrong? Why does he stand there so sullen?”
“He’s waiting for Judas” — came the reply.
“He’s waiting for Judas.”
**
God’s wait by the gate may just as well be for me, for you, or anyone who is unrepentant. For God’s Love is immeasurable, as is His forgiveness. Yet unless we turn unto Him, believe and repent, we may miss out on the Great Reward that He has prepared for us. Both Peter and Judas were called to follow Christ. The difference between these two disciples is repentance. It is only through repentance that we are granted, through the Holy Spirit, the freedom to enter into the Joy of the Father’s Kingdom, through His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.
For as St. Paul’s letter to Timothy tells us “God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as ransom for all ….”
by Albert S. Rossi, Ph.D.
During an Orthodox College Fellowship retreat last spring, a college student said, “If I put Christ first, the suffering will be great and the joy will be greater.”
Isn’t this an accurate statement about college students, time, and personal prayer? The schedule of a college student is so full of obligations and activities; prayer may seem like a “to do” item that is so intangible, it does not even qualify for the “to do” list. Can it be true that prayer is the one activity in my day that affects everything else?
Prayer is listening to God’s promptings in daily life. Prayer is our effort to be open to the presence of God.
Jesus wants to be lovingly kind and boundless in his gifts to us. However, we can block his overtures in many ways, beginning with not having time for him. We simply don’t think about him. We choose to be busy with all our college tasks.
To be blunt, if I’m too busy to pray, then I’m too busy. My task is to draw nearer to God so that I can be my true self, filled with peace and joy. St Isaac the Syrian says that it is impossible to draw nearer to God by any means other than increasing prayer, even while in college.
For the Orthodox, the traditional personal prayer is the Jesus Prayer. The classic form of the Jesus Prayer is, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” The first half is often said as we breathe in and the second half is said as we breathe out. The actual words of our short prayers can vary. We might say the classic version of the Jesus Prayer, or we might say, “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.” We may say, “Lord Jesus, have mercy.” Or, we might say a Psalm verse, or a Bible quote, or some other prayer. Monks of old said, “Lord, make haste to help me. Lord, make speed to save me,” all day long.
The first half of the Jesus Prayer stresses the Name of Jesus. Jesus is always present, but we are not naturally aware of his presence. We say his Name so that we become aware of his presence and share in his power. He said, “Hitherto you have asked nothing in my Name. Ask and you shall receive that your joy may be full” (John 16:24).
The second half of the Jesus Prayer stresses mercy. Mercy, hesed in Hebrew, means “loving kindness” or “everlasting love.” When we ask for mercy, we ask to be loved. A basic human need is the need to be loved. Often college students look for love in fruitless ways like unrequited romances or virtual connections such as internet pornography or soap operas. When we indulge in these things, we eventually hurt ourselves. This is a joyless, loveless suffering. When we put Christ first, we will suffer, but we will know the joy of being loved. When we ask the Lord for mercy we appropriate the love that is always there for the asking.
Why don’t we avail ourselves of what we need most? Is time the basic problem?
Hidden Martyrdom
We are called to pray “ceaselessly” (1 Thess 5:17). Throughout the college day, a quiet moment in the library, a hectic moment between classes, or while eating lunch we can pause mentally and quietly say the Jesus Prayer. Trying to pray without ceasing is a “hidden martyrdom.” Martyrdom of any sort requires courage, and college students know the satisfaction of trying to live a life of valor.
We can expect invisible, subtle snares, sent from Satan, precisely because we have up scaled our efforts, and are turning to God. In a sense, we rouse the enemy to action. St John Chrysostom says that when we begin to pray we stir the snake (living within us) to action, but that if we persist in prayer we can lay the snake low.
Prayer requires super-human courage, given the atmosphere of the world today. The whole ensemble of natural energies is in opposition.
Trying to pray is the hardest of all human tasks precisely because we are reaching for God, trying to connect with him and become like him. Abba Agathon tells us that if we do not find prayer difficult, perhaps it is because we have not really started to pray.
Lions may not eat us for the sake of the Gospel. Rather, our call to martyrdom takes the form of being attentive to the present moment, relying upon God’s power always, and doing His will. Our call to martyrdom may not be any easier than death by violence.
Out Loud
The voice of God is infinitely delicate, always resistible. How can I ever be quiet enough to hear the voice of God in my daily life? The Fathers tell us that one effective way to concentrate is to speak our prayer in a soft, barely audible voice.
When alone, we might find that praying the Jesus Prayer out loud lowers the distraction level, a perennial enemy of college life. Hearing one’s voice makes it easier to concentrate. Praying in a soft, barely audible voice is a way of engaging the body in the prayer of the spirit.
Transforming the College Years
College years are provided to find our identity. Personal prayer is the door which opens to our true identity, where we find our deepest and most stable self. Prayer keeps us sane. Through prayer we discover deep peace and unshakable joy.
By standing in Christ’s presence for no more than a few moments each day, invoking his Name, we deepen and transform all the remaining moments of the day, render ourselves available to others, effective and creative, in a way that we could not otherwise be.
The Jesus Prayer is recommended in the morning, following our prayer rule, for some period of time, perhaps 10 or 15 minutes. If that is impossible, then try saying the prayer sometime before noon, or in the evening. This might be called “formal” use of the prayer. The second form of the Jesus Prayer is the “free” use of the prayer. This means at any and all other times of the day, or night. This is especially true for the semi-automatic tasks such as driving, doing dishes, exercising, being unable to sleep, or walking to your next class. The Jesus Prayer is notably useful in times of extreme concern or upset.
In prayer, we discover that Jesus stands within us at the door of our hearts. He is always knocking until we open the door of our heart to him. College is a time of renewed valor to find our identity through prayer.
For parishes in the OCA jurisdiction, at least, tomorrow is Sanctity of Life Sunday.
I, for one, think that’s awesome.
Moreover, it makes me think of what it truly means to be pro-life: in defense of the unborn, the born, and the whole world. It seems that to be pro-life is to be pro-creation; our Father’s imprint is on all that He created, after all.
While I’m on the subject, our GVSU Pro-lifers, Students For Life, kick-off Fire and Ice Week with a candlelight vigil. We should try to make it.
