Ecclesiasticus I: Introducing Eastern Orthodoxy
Ecclesiasticus II: Orthodox Icons, Saints, Feasts and Prayer
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"Glory
be to God in the highest and on earth peace and good will among men."
This is the hymn which was sung by the group of angels, almost two thousand
years ago.
Is there peace on earth? This word has been commercialized to an extent
that it has lost its real meaning and purpose. It has been vulgarized and
abused.
Great nations, small nations, communities, individuals, commit the greatest
crimes under the cover of peace. Where are we from peace today? Yes, the
angels cried, "on earth peace," but humanity has been suffering
from wars, diseases, natural calamities, hatred, mistrust, vengeance, and
killings. Planes collide and hundreds of thousands of people die for no
reason; gales and hurricanes rise and devastate homes, gardens, trees and
take a huge number of human lives; the ocean rises to break and swallow
ships and human beings.
For the last fifty years, humanity has witnessed two world wars and has
suffered unbelievable losses. New nations have seen the light. Cries for
independence and self-determination overshadow any other cry, but with the
emergence of the new nations and with the ever-growing cry of freedom and
independence, humanity is far from solving its problems. New crimes, new
massacres, new hatreds, vengeances, and diseases have arisen. Humanity today,
like the humanity of old is deceiving itself. If Hamurabi Ramses, Hannibal,
Alexander the Great, and Julius Caesar couldn't solve our problems, so also,
Napoleon, Hitler and the present rulers of today are unable to do so.
We hear today in the opposite camp the cry for peace, but under cover, huge
stocks of the most dreadful weapons are piled up to be used to kill and
annihilate human life. We admit the fact that we are more advanced than
our ancestors in every field of science and knowledge, but it does not make
the slightest difference. Men are still killing one another. The only difference,
and as a result of our progress, mass killing is more perfected today than
ever before.
The memories of the last war are still fresh in our minds. Disturbances
and bloody revolts are almost in every continent and country; social and
family problems are on the increase, there is no mutual trust, fidelity
or integrity. Man thinks he can solve his problems without the help of God.
The results are misunderstanding, deception and dangerous deviation in our
social order and structure.
Yes, the angels are still singing the hymn of peace and in spite of the
fact that peace is a reality, we misunderstand its real meaning. The incarnation
of our Lord is a reality, the Kingdom of God is at hand, but it is for those
who choose it. The Kingdom of God is the kingdom of true peace, the peace
that we have when we belong to Jesus and His Church.
We can have peace in spite of all the atomic bombs and armies. Our peace
is the peace of mind, the peace that is from above, the peace of God.
Our world is the world of appearance. Don't be misled by the false prophets
of social reform and human justice. There is no reformation, no justice,
outside of God. He is our hope and our life. His kingdom is for those who
accept His Word and do His Will. Let us really be His children; let us constantly
pray that we may get His blessings and His forgiveness in this new year,
and that we may have the power and strength to quell our passions and our
treacherous and wrong desires. Let us worship God that we may be filled
with His grace and love.
Do not be proud of your own personal achievement. Pride is the source of
all sin, and no matter how much you do, you still have more to do. Our whole
life is a struggle and strife to achieve a better life. There is no rest
and no retirement.
May Almighty God grant all the knowledge of His truth, and may each and
every one of us have peace, love and understanding. May we forgive one another
that we may help one another and may we be liberated from the slavery of
our egoism and selfishness. May God grant our sick health and restoration
and comfort the hearts of the suffering, and may He repose the souls of
all our beloved ones in His glorious and happy kingdom.
From Word
Magazine
Publication of the Antiochian Orthodox
Christian Archdiocese of North America
December 1961
p. 4
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