Why We Do What We Do

Why We Do What We Do by Christa Shalhoub (Oct. ’01)

Helping at soup kitchens, feeding the hungry, walking for cancer, going to Project Mexico, building homes for Habitat for Humanity, visiting the sick, comforting the elderly, mentoring young children, collecting clothes and canned foods for the needy, raising money for the church community…

I could list all different ways that we can each individually give of ourselves to do good deeds towards others. In fact these good deeds can be considered beneficial and pleasing to both society, to our local communities, to our church, and to God. I would even go as far as saying that participating in these good deeds might even instruct others through our example. St. Ignatius, one of the most well known and highly venerated saints in our church taught this:

“Therefore let them be instructed by you, at least by your deeds” (Ignatius to the Ephesians 10:1). In doing so, he tells us that we all have been given the ability as human beings to carry out the action of doing good to others. But unless an individual knows the reason and the rational behind setting an example of doing good deeds, the actions of that person are meaningless.

St. Ignatius tells us that we are to instruct others by our deeds, but what exactly is it that are we to instruct? It is this question that I would like to address today.

The first point I would like to make is that we should instruct according to the teaching of Jesus Christ. Jesus taught us to “Seek first the kingdom of God and all his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). These words of Jesus to His disciples were the basis for everything the disciples did. This was also the theme for my local SOYO a few years ago. For example, every year we go on a ski retreat as a youth group. One year we decided to hold it at Antiochian Village. The theme for the retreat was “Climbing the Ladder toward Salvation.” Fr. Michael Nasser, the camp director, taught us that our life is like climbing a ladder. He told us that each rung of the ladder represents a different characteristic of our humanity, and by struggling to reach the top of the ladder we become closer to what is at the top waiting for us: Jesus Christ. The Lord gives us the opportunity and the ability to be with Him in heaven. This is our goal…To gain salvation for our lives. In everything we do it is so important to keep our hearts and minds set at reaching the top of the ladder. And it is this that we should teach by the good deeds that we do. By seeking first, God’s kingdom, we have the Christian motivation that we need to instruct others. I was taught that obtaining salvation is a gift from God. If we abuse our power to do good things for our own selfish reasons, then we fall down the ladder. It is what we choose to do with the opportunity, and our diligence in doing it, that is going to help us accomplish our goal as human beings… to be with Christ in heaven. Our goal should be to instruct others to obtain salvation through the example of what we do.

Knowing then, what we are to instruct, (salvation), the next step is to know how we are to instruct. In the book of Matthew, Christ said that “ Where your treasure is, there will be your heart” (Matthew 6:22). But before sharing God’s treasure with others, you must obtain this treasure in your own heart first. How do you do this? To obtain treasure in your own heart you must stay true to yourself. Others can only learn from you if you truly believe in what you are doing. Otherwise you will not be true to yourself, and you will come across as a hypocrite. For example, some people love to preach. They love to tell others all the things to do to be a good Christian. Yet, they will also be the first to do exactly the opposite of what they tell others to do. In this case, others are instructed that what you say has no bearing on what you do.  Other people can see the hypocrisy that this creates. Before instruction can take place, it must be practiced by the teacher. I can’t teach someone to ride a bike, if I myself don’t know how to ride one. To teach, you must be educated. As I look towards my future I hope to become a lawyer, someone who can defend, protect, and serve my community. But how can I defend the laws if I don’t know them. Instruction is a learned behavior that is developed within the heart and taught to others from the heart.

So far, we have discussed what to instruct… salvation, and how to instruct…from our hearts. Now comes the hard part, when do we instruct? Do we instruct only when we are at church? Do we instruct only when are parents are around? Do we instruct only when our priest comes walking by? Absolutely not! Christ taught that by doing good and loving your neighbors, your reward will be great (Luke 6:35). The fact of the matter is, that we are called as Christians to instruct always. We should never stop. This is the hardest part of what St. Ignatius was preaching, and this is why people have such a hard time doing it; they are scared. Scared of what you might ask? Scared of being judge and scared of being rejected.

I started my junior year off at a brand new school. That is a very hard thing for teenagers to do. Knowing that some teenagers can be very hurtful, I went into my new school feeling shy, nervous, and a little less outgoing than usual. Basically, I was fearful that I would be judged by my new classmates if I showed my true self. However, realizing I must meet people and move on with this new experience, I joined the Christian club, hoping to find acceptance from other Christians. However, the first thing I noticed was how quickly even these Christian teens judged me when I spoke up during my initial visit. The leader was talking about being saved and how important it is that a person must have an exact day and time of acknowledging their salvation. Being Orthodox, I have always been told that we are not only saved once, but are in a continual process of being saved. Therefore, I simple asked a question regarding why he was stressing the importance of a specific date. At this point, my stomach sank as I heard the entire room erupt with condescending remarks. I was simply trying to learn and clarify in my own mind what I have been taught, and I was torn apart for doing so by my Christian peers. It took me a very long time after that to build up the nerve to speak again, and an even longer time for others to freely welcome me into the group.

I also had another experience at my new high school. As a new student I found it hard to make friends. No one would really talk to me in fear that their friends would see them talking to the “new kid.” However, I did meet new people and eventually found my little niche. I soon began to feel comfortable with my new surroundings. One day while sitting in class, a new student walked in. Remembering what is was like to feel scared and alone, I did the only thing I could think of…I introduced myself to her. I remembered how all it took was just one person who went out of her way to talk to me that made me feel comfortable, and I wanted to do the same for her. Because of someone else’s example I was instructed. This is the instruction that St. Ignatius asks us to give to others. To instruct the things that we have learned from others, by putting them into practice in our own lives. True instruction cannot take place unless it comes from a heart that has been filled with an understanding of the mission of who we are as Orthodox Christians. If we instruct others by our deeds, one day we will be united to God.

So my challenge to each and every one of us is to…go help at soup kitchens, go feed the hungry, go walk for cancer, go to Project Mexico, go build homes for Habitat for Humanity, go visit the sick, go comfort the elderly, go mentor young children, go collect clothes and canned foods for the needy, go raise money for the church community. But go knowing the instruction we are called to share with others must be based on the principle of our Orthodox calling as human beings to one day reach our ultimate goal: salvation.