THURSDAY NOVEMBER 21

ENTRY THEOTOKOS TO THE TEMPLE

DIVINE LITURGY 9:30 A.M.

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APOLYTYKION

Today is the prelude of God's good will and the heralding of the salvation of mankind. In the temple of God, the Virgin is presented openly, and she pro claim - eth Christ un - to all. To her, then, with a great voice let us cry a - loud: Rejoice, O thou fulfillment of the Creator's dispensation.

ASK ABOUNA:

QUESTIONS FROM AN INQUIRER

"Abouna" in Arabic means "our father" and is a term used to address a priest. Here "Abouna" Fr. George answers questions commonly asked of him. If you have a question you would like answered, please email him at gajalat@gmail.com.

QUESTION

Dear Abouna, 

After a tragedy in my life, my Christian fried told me "be patient, God never gives us more than we can bear."  I have always recoiled at that expression, which I know is meant to be comforting. Does God "give" us suffering intentionally?  When a wildfire starts, or a plane crashes,is this God's will?   What about diseases, infections, natural woes of all kinds -- is this what God really desires for us?  I am sure that suffering can be more than people can bear?  We see it all the time. It leads to drug abuse, alcoholism, suicide -- you name it.  So if our God is a loving God why would He give this to us?  Can you help me with this Father?  

Fr. George: 

 First, I would like to express my heartfelt condolences for your loss.  Going through tragedies and tribulations in the world is very difficult for us.  It can never be easy, but we as Christians look at these dark times in our life through a different lens. First, we must distinguish between God's Providence, His desire for us, and Man's free will.  We must acknowledge that God is always involved with His creation, sustaining and participating in a way so as not to limit our free wills (this of course is a mystery of exactly how?)  We do not believe that God is like a watchmaker who creates the watch, winds it up, and lets it run completely on its own.  Jesus said "My Father is working until now and I am working" (in creation).  When we live a life in God, we see that bad things happen due to our sins, the sins of others, and to nature's fallen state (with natural catastrophes, genetic disorders, etc.)  All of these things are not God's desire for his creation, but they are still under His power and authority (Providence). It is only in the sense of God's foreknowledge and providence that we say "God gives us suffering." Death and corruption came into the world not through God but through man.  It would be more appropriate to say "allows".  He allows it because He knows the past, present, and future and He is intervening constantly at every step, without limiting our wills, to save His creation as far as we are willing. The biggest intervention was that He sent His own son to take on Human flesh and recreate it and restore it to its pristine beauty.  That is, if we are willing to commit our lives to be "in Christ" we also can be renewed to our original purpose and state. It is in Christ, that no temptation will overtake us.  Let's look at the original text - "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." (1Co 10:13 NKJ)  If we are in Christ- we will be able to bear every temptation ( trial-"pierasmos"-which more than anything refers to the persecution and martyrdom- the threat of death).  For the way of escape is our trust and faith in our Lord Jesus.  With Him, we are able to have a hope and a deep certainty that we will somehow be ok even in the face of terrible suffering. That is what the cross is all about (and bearing our cross).  Immortal life cannot be crushed by death, and we have this immortal life already in us.  So the real issue here is whom do we trust.  If we do not trust God, ultimately we will be crushed in the next life as well as in the present.  If we do not trust God, and rely completely on our own understanding, we will reject Him even further, turn to alcohol, drugs to anesthetize our pain, and we may run away from God and the Church in our self-centeredness.  Yes, the temptation will be more than we can bear.  However if we trust Him, we will have a way of escape even though we will suffer.  St. Siloan summarizes this succinctly- "I would rather be in hell with Christ, than in heaven without Him."  The blessed Job is even more poignant  "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him." (Job 13:15 NKJ).  Obviously God does not slay anyone, but this expression emphasizes that all things, life and death are subject to God's Providence and Power and herein lies our hope and our joy- "Blessed is our God, always now and ever and unto ages of ages Amen. 

  I hope this helps.  

Fr. George

CHURCH CLOSING SCHEDULE

11/17/19

11/20/19

11/27/19

12/1/19

12/8/19

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Andy & Jeff

John & Larry

Magdy & Mark

Raluca & Rob

Stephen

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