[Ed: The following article was penned by Archpriest Father Basil Slimak, who served at a number of churches in Ohio, as well as being the first Orthodox Chaplain, in which capacity he served the mentally ill at Massillon State Hospital. The text is from a small pamphlet published in the late ‘70’s by the Ohio Deanery of the OCA and titled, “Orthodox Christmas Lent Meditations”. See from Fr. Slimak’s words how things have not changed very much in nearly 50 years.]
“For to us a child is born, to us as son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder, and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isa 9:6)
The more we learn about God, the more we realize how far and how distant is our own way of life, in all we do, in the present modern society. Even justice appears to elude us, and our earthly governments rarely know periods of peace.
In his Epistle to the Ephesians Saint Paul reminds us what governments and rulers are like when he cautions us about wickedness in high places, how we must struggle against the rulers of the darkness of this world; and how necessary it is for us to put on the whole armor of God—that in fact we are called to be Christian Warriors in the battle against evil.
So too, one day the Kingdom of God will be established with judgment and justice, and only the ‘Prince of Peace’ can grant our world real peace.
We know the Light of Christ will not be defeated by the darkness of this world. No matter how great the adversaries of our Lord, they are no match against those who love the Lord with all their heart, and seek to do His will!
No comments:
Post a Comment