Thursday, May 27, 2004
John the Russian, Confessor
Kellia: Deuteronomy 12:1-7 Apostle: Acts 15:13-19 Gospel: St. John 16:23-33
STRONG> Deuteronomy 12:1-7, especially vs. 5: "In the place which the Lord thy God shall choose....ye shall even
seek Him out and go thither." Our God and Savior Jesus Christ declared that "Every one who is of the truth hears My
voice" (Jn. 18:37). Some are attuned to Divine Truth, others are not. Those who are "of the truth" meet and touch Truth
Himself in every circumstance of this life without fail. Still, let us agree with Philaret of New York, in his accurate
depiction of this present age: "the distinguishing characteristic of our time is that people are now more and more possessed
by indifference to the Divine Truth. Many beautiful words are spoken, but in fact - in reality - people are completely
indifferent to the truth."
Yes, in this day and age, many truths are promoted, actually are pressed upon us for adoption, so that we find ourselves
bullied by a welter of competing truths, all demanding allegiance and unquestioning submission. But to Divine Truth, the
common response around us is, as the Saint observes, indifference. What we face in modern western culture is a paganism
that is no less entrenched than was the idolatry of the peoples living in the promised land prior to the coming of ancient
Israel. Different in outward appearances, but pagan at heart.
Among the difficulties facing Christ's People as we confront the idolatry of contemporary society is what should be a
simple task - to name the idols and identify the shrines where they are served (vs. 2), and to recognize the altars, pillars, and
graven images used by the present-day pagans (vs. 3). The key to these tasks, as Metropolitan Philaret makes clear, is found
in the so-called truths that the priests of contemporary paganism urge upon us so vociferously.
To name but a few of these idols: there is the rejection of absolute standards of morality in favor of situational ethics.
There is the cult of the god of pleasure that invites all to "do it if it feels good." There is the assumption that the
miraculous is impossible since it cannot be predicted, controlled, or measured. There is the appeal for toleration of all
lifestyles. Television and the other media, the majority of our universities, and a host of well-organized special interest
groups in concert provide the priests who advance these lies and distortions. They easily dismiss the cries of our Pastors
and Elders as the self-serving appeals of arcane bigots out of step with the "truths" of the "real" world.
What are we to do? Moses spoke Divine Truth. We should "destroy all the places" of worship, their altars and the "graven
images of their gods", and...abolish their name out of" our lives (vss. 2,3). However, since the situation we face is less
clear-cut than was Israel's as they faced Canaan, and since the constraints of law, which also protect the Church, are not to
be brushed aside, we do well to heed the counsel of St. Augustine who faced a scene like our own in the dying years of
pagan Rome: "They say that we are enemies of their idols [lies]. So be it; may God give them all into our power, as He has
already given us what we have broken down. For I say this, beloved, that you may not attempt to overcome those which it
is not lawfully in your power to overcome...When the power has not been given us, do not do it; when it is given, do not
neglect it." "Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king" (1 Pet. 2:17)
There is no place for Orthodox Christians to assassinate abortionists, bomb the TV towers and cables of the stations that
send out pornography, or put the torch to adult video stores, universities and school buildings where lies abound in
classrooms. The real tasks before us are to cleanse our hearts, minds, and passions, to offer Divine Truth as we can to our
children and families, and to live Divine Truth transparently so as to reveal its beauty and power to give Life. Lead me in
Thy truth and teach me, for Thou art God my Savior; on Whom I wait.
