The Resurrection

Xristos Anesti! Christ is Risen! This is how Greek Orthodox greet each other beginning on Easter until the day of Ascension, Thursday, June 6. All Christians believe that Christ rose from the dead on Easter Sunday, three days after he was crucified. According to Matthew 28:2, “And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it” and the guards shook from fear and became like dead men. The discovery of the empty tomb was first made by Mary Magdalene and two other women as they arrived to find the stone rolled away and saw an angel with an appearance like lightning and clothing white as snow. He announced that Jesus had risen from the dead and instructed the women to go and tell the disciples.

However, none of the disciples believed the women. I always wondered why. Didn’t Jesus tell the twelve that he would rise from the dead in three days? So why did they not believe? Firstly, women were not considered reliable witness in those days. As a matter of fact, women were not permitted to testify as witnesses in court proceedings. Their testimonies were not considered admissible. If someone had created this story as some suggest, they would not have had women discover the empty tomb. It just was not customary to accept the word of a woman. On the other hand, these were women that were well acquainted with the disciples and were more like family. Why was is so difficult for the disciples to believe Jesus rose from the dead? After all, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.

I suppose, it is the same reason why we may find it difficult to believe! It has never ever happened. No one ever raised themselves from the dead. Even if Jesus raised Lazarus, how could He raise Himself, once He was dead. Jesus often talked about the resurrection of the dead, when those in Hades would receive eternal life in paradise, but no one ever saw the dead spirits. The disciples probably never expected a bodily resurrection. They never expected to see Jesus walking on this Earth. They probably expected to see Him when they died and went to heaven themselves.

Thomas even disbelieved the disciples, when they told Him that they had seen Christ. He declared that “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe” (John 20:25). Christ obliged. Thomas touched the wounds in His hands and in His side. Then Thomas believed. He not only believed, but he declared, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28), acknowledging that Jesus was God. They even gave Jesus “a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence” (Luke 24:42-43). A spirit would not be able to eat!

The fact remains, if Jesus did not rise from the dead, all that we believe would be in vain. It is the resurrection, which gives us hope for eternal life. This is what Christ promised. If He did not rise from the dead, He would be little more than a good teacher. However, because Christ kept His promise, we can be assured that His word is truth. No one else ever claimed to have risen from the dead. It is a bold claim.

There were Roman guards placed at the tomb to ensure that the disciples could not steal the body of Jesus. When earthquake revealed the empty tomb, some of the guards reported what had happened to the chief priests. The priests “devised a plan to give a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, “You must say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ If this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So they took the money and did as they were directed” (Matthew 28: 12-15). According to Matthew, the Jews were well acquainted with the story that the disciples had stolen Christ’s body.

However, there are a few problems to this story. First, why would the disciples knowingly die for a lie? If they had truly stolen the body, they would not have been willing to die such horrific deaths, like crucifixion, beheading, being flayed to death from whipping, or being dragged by horses through the streets. Second, if Christ had not risen from the dead bodily, all the chief priests and Roman authorities had to do was produce the dead body. All rumors would have been immediately quashed.

Instead, rather that silencing the Christian movement, it gained momentum. Christians still stubbornly believe that Christ rose from the dead. Why do Christians still persist in their beliefs for two thousand years? It seems illogical and foolish.

“For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God…Where is the one who is wise…Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified” (1 Corinthians 1:18-23).

The proof of Christ, the Son of God who rose from the dead, is in the changed hearts and lives of those who love Him. The frightened and cowardly disciples who ran away and hid after Jesus was crucified became bold proclaimers of His resurrection and died horrific deaths for their beliefs. For two thousand years, even to this day, Christians have been martyred for their beliefs. We Christians claim to know Christ and to have experienced Him in our lives. We do not live by blind faith, but rather, live by what we know to be true, our personal encounters with the living God. Our faith is not based on just a feeling. Our hearts and lives are changed as we come to develop a relationship with our Lord. Every Christian has a story, an experience, which has changed them. Some have experienced a radical change over a short period of time, while others have undergone a gradual change over the years. What is your story?

© 2019 Helen Kamenos All rights reserved

http://www.helenkamenos.com/

The Parable of the Talents

Jesus told a story reminding his followers that the wise should always remain ready for the Kingdom of Heaven because they will never know when the Groom (Christ) will come for his Bride (the Church). To those who are foolishly unprepared, Christ declared, “Truly I tell you, I do not know you” (Matthew 25:12). He followed that story with this Sunday’s Bible passage, the Parable of the Talents.

Jesus tells us of a man who planned to take a long journey. He gathered His slaves and entrusted his property to them while he was gone. To one slave he gave five talents, to another he gave two and to the third he gave one talent. A talent is a sum of money, which some calculate to be equivalent to 20 years’ worth of wages. The servant with the five talents immediately went and used the money in trade earning an additional five talents. The one with the two talents did the same and earned two additional talents. The servant with one talent feared his master, so he dug a hole in the ground and buried the money.

When the property owner returned from his journey, he summoned them to settle his accounts. The first two slaves, who were given five and two talents, respectively, proudly offered their master his property doubled. “His master said to (them) him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master’” (Matthew 25:21). To the third slave, who buried the one talent, “his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave…you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return, I would have received what was my own with interest. So, take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents” (Matthew 25:27-28).

It is ironic that today the word talent refers to one’s abilities and special gifts, since Christ was teaching us about stewardship in this parable. Everything in this life and on this earth belongs to our Master, God. We speak of “my house” and “my car” and “my money, but it all belongs to God. When we depart from this life, none of our possessions go with us. While we are alive, we are simply stewards, those responsible for God’s possessions. Just as the master in the parable put his slaves in charge of his property, God puts us in charge of the gifts He has bestowed upon us, whether they are possessions or abilities or talents. He expects us to use our gifts wisely to bring light into this world by glorifying Him. He does not want us to bury our gifts.

Another story, which illustrates this concept, is the fig tree. Jesus was hungry and saw a fig tree in the distance. He approached it and found nothing but leaves. He cursed the tree, saying, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again” (Mark 11:14). Christ cursed the fig tree because it was not bearing fruit. Later, as they passed the tree, once again, the disciples noticed that it was withered. God expects us to bear fruit, to be a light in the world. He expects us to live our lives revealing the image of Christ, being witnesses of our faith by sharing God’s love to all. We are living icons, images of Christ.

Whatever gifts and talents we have received from God, we are to share them with others in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. When we do, God bestows greater gifts on our lives.  When the disciples noticed the withered fig tree, Christ responded, “Have faith in God.  Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and if you do not doubt in your heart but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you. So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11: 22-24). When we do anything and everything to please God, He will reward us beyond what we can imagine. When we go to work and give it all we can, we will experience joy and contentment. Work will not be a drudgery. Even one who does the most menial type of work will experience joy in being able to reveal Christ to others.

St. Nektarios of Aegina worked for a cruel master when he was but a young boy. His master beat him and berated him. There was nothing St. Nektarios could do to please his master. Nevertheless, the young boy would copy passages of scripture and hide them in the packages he delivered for his master. With joy, he would painstakingly copy scripture and spread God’s word to all of his master’s patrons. His joy in Christ could not be quenched. Today, he is a saint of the church who is called upon to intercede on behalf of multitudes of believers, especially cancer patients. Countless miracles are attributed to his intercessions. I, too, prayed to St. Nektarios to intercede on my behalf when I had cancer six years ago.        

It is our responsibility, as Christians, to be ambassadors for Christ. We do not have to knock on doors or take to the streets to spread the word of God. We utilized the gifts God has granted us in our everyday lives. According to Paul (1 Corinthians 12:28), “God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues,” but the greatest gifts are “faith, hope, and love…and the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13). Those three are gifts we all possess!

We, as Christians are to be known by our fruits, the effects our faith, hope and love have on others and on ourselves. These are “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). These bring great joy to Christ and glorify Him! Not only are we to share our gifts with the world around us, but more importantly, these are necessities to the flourishing of our Church. They are intended to strengthen us and our faith. They are to supply the needs of all the members of the Church, the body of Christ. We possess the Holy Spirit within us which unites us. We utilize our gifts to build each other up, to deepen our relationship with Christ, to raise our spirits and to support one another in suffering. “If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it” (1 Corinthians 12:26).

If we are suffering in any way, we seek comfort in one another. We empathize with one another because we have all suffered in one way or another. We forgive one another, knowing that God will forgive us, as well. This is the way of the Church. “And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25). Do not withhold the gifts you have to offer the church. Become an active part of your church. Let us become a blessing to one another. I have found that every single time I have asked God to allow be to be a blessing to others, I have received blessings in greater measure. We cannot out-give God.     

© 2018  Helen Kamenos  All rights reserved

http://www.helenkamenos.com/

The Spirit of Christmas

Christmas is the birthday of our Lord, Jesus Christ. What an awesome gift God gave us on the day Christ was born. God clothed Himself in flesh and entered our physical reality as a vulnerable little baby. Oh, how He loves us! It is fitting that the Christmas season should be a time of giving. All around the world, Christians and even non-believers celebrate Christmas in some way. The map above shows how many countries celebrate Christmas as a public holiday. I find it fascinating that many, who are not Christians, still exchange gifts and practice some of the traditions. What a powerful legacy Christ left us! He taught us the value of giving, the power of love. Thus, we describe the feeling we experience from giving at this time of year as the spirit of Christmas. Even non-believers remember and honor Christ in an indirect way.

Personally, I find the Christmas season in the United States a bit too commercial and secularized. It is very difficult to find Christmas cards with a nativity scene. Christmas songs are about reindeer, rocking around the Christmas tree, jingling bells, a winter wonderland, or Frosty the snowman. I enjoy the traditional songs, like “Silent Night,” “Angels We Have Heard on High” or “What Child Is This?” Shopping becomes so stressful with people fighting for parking spots or losing patience while waiting in lines. Yet, everyone seems intent on finding that right gift for their loved ones. Despite the commercialism, those of us who exchange gifts discover that the greater joy is watching a loved one open the gift we have given, rather than opening gifts ourselves.

Many do not realize that Santa Claus is a real person, a saint of the church. The myth of Santa Claus, which is a German translation for St. Nicholas, was the real live Archbishop of Myra in southern Asia Minor, who lived during the fourth century. He does not have a sleigh with reindeers that fly throughout the world on Christmas Eve delivering gifts to children. Instead, he inherited his parents’ estate and promptly gave away his riches to the needy. He was known for his generosity, and therefore, exemplifies the spirit of Christmas. The following story is an example:

Many do not realize that Santa Claus is a real person, a saint of the church. The myth of Santa Claus, which is a German translation for St. Nicholas, was the real live Archbishop of Myra in southern Asia Minor, who lived during the fourth century. He does not have a sleigh with reindeers that fly throughout the world on Christmas Eve delivering gifts to children. Instead, he inherited his parents’ estate and promptly gave away his riches to the needy. He was known for his generosity. Thus, he exemplifies the spirit of Christmas. The following story is an example:

“There was a certain formerly rich inhabitant of Patara, whom Saint Nicholas saved from great sin. The man had three grown daughters, and in desperation he planned to sell their bodies, so they would have money for food. The saint, learning of the man’s poverty and of his wicked intention, secretly visited him one night and threw a sack of gold through the window. With the money the man arranged an honorable marriage for his daughter. Saint Nicholas also provided gold for the other daughters, thereby saving the family from falling into spiritual destruction. In bestowing charity, Saint Nicholas always strove to do this secretly and to conceal his good deeds.” 1

Those of us who are Christians, should strive to truly live the spirit of Christmas this year. We can be patient in those long lines. We can refuse to become upset when someone sneaks into that parking space that you had already begun to enter. We can give a gift to someone who may not expect it or make a donation for those in need. We should not neglect to thank God for all the blessings He has bestowed upon us and our families. The greatest gift we can give to our families and friends is the gift of time. Spend more intimate time communicating in person, rather than through a text on our phones or a message on social media.

One day, I was at a restaurant having dinner. A mother was having dinner with her two children. The entire time I observed her, which was about 30 minutes, she was on her phone, texting or doing something. The two children were playing games on their phones. None of them spoke a word, except to announce that it was time to go. It seemed like such a wasted opportunity. To me this was so sad! Instead, we should spend more time with one another, sharing experiences together, laughing, creating joyous memories. When we are gone and have left this life, all that will remain for our loved ones are those treasured memories.

¹ Retrieved from: https://oca.org/saints/lives/2016/12/06/103484-st-nicholas-the-wonderworker-and-archbishop-of-myra-in-lycia).

Have a beautiful Christmas filled with God’s love and many of His blessings! May the joy of Christ’s birth fill your hearts to overflowing!  

© 2018  Helen Kamenos  All rights reserved

http://www.helenkamenos.com/

Heroes Rise out of the Ashes of Tragedy

What words can we speak in times of tragedy and great suffering? Words never seem enough to express the grief and pain in our hearts. Last week our community experienced tragedy upon tragedy, grief upon grief. After twelve beautiful and innocent lives were lost to a senseless shooting, fire ripped through our neighborhoods destroying homes. Two lives were lost in the fires of southern California, and 23 lives were lost in the northern fires with over 100 still missing. What words can we offer as comfort to the families who have experienced such loss?

St. Paul’s words expresses what we may feel in times of great tragedy, “We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, of the affliction we experienced in Asia; for we were so utterly, unbearably crushed that we despaired of life itself” (2 Corinthians 1:8). Yet, he offers us hope, “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10).

Ironically, it is during times of peril when heroes rise up. Heroes are not crushed. Rather than being driven to despair, they are driven to action. They save lives. We witness such courage time and time again. Heroes jump into the line of fire to save those in still in danger. Firefighters, who themselves had lost their homes, continued working to save the homes of others, neighbor helping neighbor, victims saving victims. Thousands have heard God’s call and have offered donations and have even offered their homes for those who have lost theirs. God raises up His army to bring light into a dark world.

In 2 Corinthians 1:4-5, St. Paul explains that those who suffer are comforted by God, so that in turn, they are equipped with the empathy necessary to comfort others. These saints become our examples. I, for one, am in awe at the strength and courage of such heroes and saints. They are humbled by their experience, but their humility is what gives them strength. They do not think of themselves, but rather their first thoughts are to come to the aid of others. They are selfless. They rise out of the ashes of destruction and become beacons of light.

I was struck by the words posted by the Thousand Oaks shooter during the incident, “Yeah... I'm insane, but the only thing you people do after these shootings is 'hopes and prayers'... or 'keep you in my thoughts'... every time... and wonder why these keep happening...” These are words from the devil himself. This man was not insane. He was filled with evil and hatred. He spewed words to create despair and to deny the power of prayer. These words are straight from the pits of hell, intended to deceive. The only thing that has the power to defeat evil is God’s love and the prayers of those who love Him.

God always shows up in times of tragedy. People cry out to Him in prayer, and He sends His army of believers. Strangely, it is during these times, when our true nature manifests. God created us to love, and it is love that comes to the rescue. Some believe we are basically evil creatures, and it may seem that way when we see such evil in the world, but our true nature comes to the forefront when disaster strikes. Our true humanity is revealed through our love for one another, even toward those who are strangers to us. Our hearts are touched by the suffering of our fellow human beings. We see tragedy unfolding in the news daily, and we are brought to tears. We weep and wish we could do something to stop all the evil.

St. Paul, who knew suffering throughout his ministry, reminds us, “we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16). He reminds us that our afflictions are momentary compared to the eternity we will spend in “glory beyond measure.” He reminds us to live with our hope in Christ, who sends others to comfort us and ultimately saves us. Christ reminds us that He has prepared a place for us and He “will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 4:3) and He “shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new” (Revelation 21:4-5).

In the meantime, God send us to support and comfort one another. The love, kindness and compassion that we offer to the next person we see suffering and in despair may save lives. It may be that very person in despair, who may have been thinking about causing harm and destruction to others. We do not always know how the love of God we share with our neighbors will affect their lives.

May God bless you and keep you safe! 

© 2018  Helen Kamenos  All rights reserved

http://www.helenkamenos.com/

Eat My Flesh and Drink My Blood

“Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them” (John 6:56).

The above passage from scripture is not well known. However, in John 6:53-58, Jesus repeated these words five times! He was definitely emphasizing the importance of this teaching. Christ’s followers complained that “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” (John 6:61). Although He explained that these words described a spiritual truth, many of His supporters unable to comprehend, stopped following Him. These words would not be understood, until after Christ’s resurrection, and after the church was established by the twelve Apostles.

Jesus was referring to the Holy Eucharist or Holy Communion. He instituted this practice of receiving the body and blood of Christ with His disciples at the Last Supper. “And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood” (Luke 22:19-20). We also learn that the Holy Eucharist was celebrated on Sundays, when Paul states that a group of Christ’s followers met “on the first day of the week” (Acts 20:7) to break bread. It was on the first day of the week that Christ rose from the dead, so therefore, we celebrate the resurrection by partaking of the Eucharist. In I Corinthians 11, Paul states that the Lord handed down the celebration of Holy Communion to him, and he taught the early church members.

The Eucharist replaced the sacrifice of animals, which God instituted from the very beginning with Cain and Abel (Genesis 4). It was Abel’s sacrifice of a lamb that God found pleasing, which angered Cain so greatly that he murdered his brother. God told Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, and just as Abraham was prepared to bring down the knife, an angel stopped him, and God provided the ram for the sacrifice (Genesis 22). The Jewish priests sacrificed animals in the Temple regularly, especially on the feast days. Sacrifices were only permitted to take place in the Temple at Jerusalem because God dwelled in the Holy of Holies within the Temple. The priests would offer up sacrifices brought by the people. Christ’s sacrifice on the cross replaced the Temple sacrifices because He was the perfect lamb. No longer were other sacrifices acceptable to God. In 70 A.D. the Temple was destroyed, and the Jews have not been permitted to offer sacrifices since then. The presence of God was no longer to be found in the Temple. Since Pentecost, God dwells within believers through the Holy Spirit.

The Greek noun εὐχαριστία (eucharistia), means "thanksgiving", while the word Communion comes from the passage in 1 Corinthians 10:16, “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ.” These words describe a spiritual reality. When we receive the body and blood of Christ with thanksgiving, we receive Christ Himself and become spiritually united with Him and our fellow believers. Therefore, we become one body in Christ with many members. “For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another” (Romans 12:4-5). In other words, the church is one group in agreement with Christ, but there are many members of our group. Just as a body has eyes, ears, and hands, we are one body working together for God.

Among the various Christian denominations, there are only a few who celebrate the Eucharist every Sunday, including the Eastern Orthodox and the Roman Catholics. Many Christians do not place the emphasis on Holy Communion that Christ did. Jesus declared, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you” (John 6:53). According to Jesus, receiving the Holy Eucharist is imperative and essential to our lives as Christians. Christ established Holy Communion at the Last Supper. The Apostles and early church celebrated the Holy Eucharist weekly.

Many do not fully comprehend the spiritual reality and power of the Holy Eucharist. Paul explains what happened to those who received Communion without properly asking for forgiveness: “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord…For this reason many of you are weak and ill, and some have died” (1 Corinthians 11:27-30). Paul warns us that we must properly judge ourselves and repent for our sins before receiving the body and blood of Christ. Some even died when they received the Holy Eucharist unworthily. Mystically, the Eucharist is the body and blood of Christ.

After properly repenting for our sins and receiving the Eucharist, the Holy Spirit forgives our sins and seals us. “It is God who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us, 22 by putting his seal on us and giving us his Spirit in our hearts as a first installment” (1 Corinthians 1:21-22). In ancient times, a wax seal was used by kings to authenticate their communications. The seal of the Eucharist is God’s signature on us confirming His new covenant, our contractual agreement. We acknowledge that agreement with God each time we receive Communion, and in return, God fills us with the Holy Spirit. It is the seal of the Holy Spirit, which lets the devil know that we belong to Christ.

Many Christians believe that they can pray at home and develop their relationship with Christ on their own. They do not feel it necessary to attend church on a regular basis, and in some cases, they do not feel it necessary to attend church at all. However, we cannot participate in the Holy Gifts without attending church. Christ’s church requires community. It requires we not only participate in Holy Communion with one another, but it also requires that we share our own personal gifts with one another. Each of us has been given gifts by God to build up the church, but if we do not come together as a church, all of us suffer from the loss. Our faith may not be as strong as it might be when we are able to encourage one another. We are not available to one another when we need comforting or guidance. Our gifts bear little or no fruit in the church of Christ. We cannot be His eyes, ears, or hands. It is the fruits of our gifts that build one another’s faith. It is those times when God sends us just the right words from a fellow believer that helps us experience the love of God. It is those times when God sends us to give the right encouraging words to a fellow believer that makes Him real in our lives.

In today’s world, more important than anything, our children need the community of the church. They need to learn about God and build their faith. There is so much depression, anxiety and hopelessness among our young people today. They need to know the love, faith and hope of Jesus. Children need to grow up in their churches, experiencing God and the power of His Holy Communion, which unites us with one another and with Christ. Parents take your children to church and participate in the Eucharist regularly.

“See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is” (1 John 3:1-2).

Happy Thanksgiving!      

 

© 2018  Helen Kamenos  All rights reserved

http://www.helenkamenos.com/

Scandal in the Church

I weep! I am grieved by the suffering of our Christian brothers and sisters due to the scandals of the Catholic Church. I pray that we all keep our hearts and minds on Christ and not on the human beings who have been disgraceful ambassadors of Christ. This attack on the church affects all Christians, not just Catholics. I empathize with our Catholic brothers and sisters who must endure the criticism of their faith due to the horrific acts perpetrated on innocent children. This is unconscionable. Christ has, once again, been crucified by these men. He who loves us beyond what we can imagine, has once again, been nailed to the cross by those who have betrayed Him.

Christian brothers and sisters do not despair! He, who has already been victorious over sin, continues to reign. We are not followers of men, but instead, we are followers of Christ, our Savior. Our faith is established in Him and no one else. Let us all go to Him in prayer. Let us ask for the healing of our own sins and the healing of His church. The evil one seeks to divide us and persecute us. Will we allow Satan to separate us from Christ’s church? The true Church crosses denominational boundaries. It is founded by Christ Himself. Jesus declared that “the gates of Hades will not prevail against it (the church)” (Matthew 16:18). The Church is not a building or a collection of bishops, priests, ministers or pastors. The Church is the body of individual disciples of Christ, who practice His two great commandments to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” and “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-38).

John puts it plainly: “Whoever says, “I have come to know him,” but does not obey his commandments, is a liar, and in such a person the truth does not exist; but whoever obeys his word, truly in this person the love of God has reached perfection” (1 John 2:4-5). It is the love of God that identifies us as genuine Christians. Therefore, as difficult as it is and as angry as we may feel at the blatant betrayal of all those involved in this scandal and its cover-up, we should pray for the souls of those who knew Christ yet turned away from Him. For them, it would have been better if they had never professed Christ than, as Peter describes it, “It has happened to them according to the true proverb, ‘The dog turns back to its own vomit’” (2 Peter 2:22). The shepherds of the church, those who are in a position to teach the word of God, are responsible for their sheep. If bishops, priests, deacons, ministers, pastors, or any having the responsibility of shepherding Christ’s flock have caused His sheep pain and suffering or caused them to go astray or waiver in their faith, God will hold them personally accountable.

In 1 Timothy 5, Paul counsels Timothy who has been given the responsibility of the church in Ephesus, how to handle the sins of elders or those in positions of authority:

¹⁹ Never accept any accusation against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. ²⁰ As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest also may stand in fear. ²¹ In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels, I warn you to keep these instructions without prejudice, doing nothing on the basis of partiality.

Those who have perpetrated crimes against children should be reported to the appropriate criminal authorities, so that they may be condemned (rebuked) in the presence of all. They must also suffer the consequences of their criminal acts. As Paul states, there should be no favoritism (partiality) for any elder or representative of the Church. I am confident that Christ will ensure that His Church will value the wisdom in this advice, especially in the cases of such heinous criminal acts.  

           I shed heartfelt tears for those Catholics who are hurting for their church. I, too, am hurting for Christ’s Church. As the Nicene Creed states, I believe in “One, Holy, Catholic (meaning universal), and Apostolic Church.” Once again, it is being persecuted, but it is so much more painful when it comes from within the Church itself. Betrayal is so much more heart-rending. However, we must always remember that we are not followers of men. We are followers of Christ. He needs us now more than ever. Christ teaches us to rise above evil by living our lives as lights to the world. It is the light of His love that people need to see from us. It is our unity as the Body of Christ that will strengthen us.  It is the courage of our convictions and our perseverance through tragedy that will glorify God. Let us pray for the victims who suffer even now. Let us pray that Christ keep and protect each and every one of us from temptation and sin. Let us pray for all our brothers and sisters in Christ. 

© 2018  Helen Kamenos  All rights reserved

http://www.helenkamenos.com/

Open Doors

Every day, we are faced with decisions to make. Some may be significant milestones in our lives and others are just ordinary daily decisions. Some decisions are difficult to make, and others may require little thought on our part. Often, it is God who places choices in our path. “Look, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut” (Revelation 3:8). The key is to “look” for those open doors, especially if we struggle to choose between what is the right thing to do and what is not.

Often, God places open doors in our path in life, which eventually lead to greater faith in our lives, particularly when we experience tribulations. However, we frequently neglect to involve God in our decisions. “If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you” (James 1:5). Wisdom is always necessary in making decisions in our lives, especially important ones. God can give us insights, which we may not have considered. In addition, we should always wish to do God’s will, which always benefits us. God blesses those who do His will. “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19). Our lives are filled with choices that lead to blessings or curses, depending on whether we obey the will of God. God does not curse us, but if we make poor choices, we often suffer from the consequences of our decisions.

When we are conflicted in making a decision, God will reveal His will to us. “And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21). How can we know? How can we hear God’s voice? When we resist God’s will, we will remain conflicted, but when we choose God’s will, “the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy” (James 3:17). A feeling of peace is a sure sign that we are making the right decision.

If we continue to struggle over our decision or if God places the same open door in our path more than once, we should then consider our motivations for our choices. “All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit (heart)” (Proverbs 16:2). Are we being selfish? Are we resisting an opportunity for God to work through us? God’s will is always focused on our salvation or the salvation of others. If God opens a door for us, it is because He loves us. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Doors can also be opened by the evil one. We need to recognize temptations when we encounter them. Generally, it is not too difficult to discern temptations, but it is sometimes difficult to recognize openings for us to grow in our faith or to help others grow in their faith. Many times, it is an opportunity to act in love. These can be missed opportunities, if we do not act at all. “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17).

Examples of open doors may include a change in jobs or residence. God may want to place you in a new environment, where you may bear more fruit or where you may grow in the Christian life. God may introduce you to a person who needs your wisdom or whose wisdom may benefit you. Perhaps a starving homeless person is sitting in front of the store you are about to enter. Perhaps a friend or loved one has taken ill, or maybe a friend is suffering due to a relationship problem. Maybe, you are experiencing hardship, where the wisdom of an outsider may help you put things into perspective. God may open a door for you to reconcile with a family member by asking for forgiveness or by offering forgiveness.

God’s purposes usually involve spiritual growth for us or for others. God is only concerned with our salvation. When those open doors present themselves, consider that God is opening that door, so that we can move closer to Him, closer to His love. When we walk through those open doors, we often discover how much we have been blessed by the experience. Our faith increases because we have encountered God. Our relationship to him becomes more intimate. We are able to trust in our Lord and future hardships become smaller bumps in our road through life. He gives us the strength and courage to persevere. No mountain is too great for God. Usually, deep down in our hearts, we know when the open door leads to our Lord. They are not coincidences. They are part of His plan for our lives. Look for those open doors God places in your path. “Those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.” (Psalms 9:10). May God bless you and keep you! May you grow in His wisdom and may you enter through those open doors with confidence and with hope!                  

© 2018  Helen Kamenos  All rights reserved

http://www.helenkamenos.com/

Suicide and Despair

Lately, there seems to be a rash of suicides that has shocked our country. Well-known celebrities, who seem to have the world at their feet have experienced depression and despair and have taken their own lives. Some we have lost include Robin Williams, Kate Spade, Jonathan Brandis, Kurt Cobain, Alexander McQueen, Don Cornelius, Simone Battle, Owen Wilson, and Lee Thompson Young. Then there are those who accidently killed themselves through alcohol and drug abuse, such as Amy Winehouse, Whitney Houston and her daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown, Prince, Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison and the list goes on. In addition, there is an increasing trend of mass shootings ending in suicide across the country.  

The map below shows the 2016 results of a report compiled by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention¹. The statistics are alarming. According to the report, 45,000 lives were lost to suicide in 2016, more than twice the number of homicides. Among ages 15-34, suicide is the second-leading cause of death². Much of the problem is due to alcohol and drug abuse. “The CDC has calculated that suicides from opioid overdoses nearly doubled between 1999 and 2014².”

As an educator for 23 years and more currently a counselor at a school for at-risk students, I have increasingly been involved with students who have considered killing themselves. Last year our district formally introduced a “safety plan” to address the increasing cases of depression and thoughts of suicide among our youth. We hear these incidents more frequently in the news daily. I have stopped watching the news. It greatly saddens me to hear stories of depression and despair and wasted lives.

There is a war intensifying in our world that is being overlooked. Satan has declared all out war, especially on our youth, that goes unnoticed. In Revelation 12, a war in heaven is described when the Archangel Michael victoriously led his angels against Satan and cast him out of heaven and into the earth. The Kingdom of Heaven rejoiced because the “accuser” has been conquered. He was conquered by the blood of Christ, who is able to save us and redeem us from Satan. However, a warning is given: “Woe to the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you with great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!” (Revelation 12:12). The battle is escalating, and we can see it in the news daily.  

Our society at large sees these social problems of suicides, mass shootings, and violence as an increase in mental health issues. Let us not deceive ourselves. This is a war between good and evil, an all-out confrontation between God and an angry Satan, who knows he does not have much time left. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10). This war is between love and hatred. The devil intends to steal as many as he can from the loving arms of God. The devil uses our selfishness to drive others out of our lives. He uses loneliness to isolate us from God and those who love us. He uses depression to stir hatred of ourselves.  He uses drugs and alcohol to destroy any love left in us. Satan drives us to despair. This war affects our young people the most, and they have no defense. There is no defense in a Godless world. Those who have succumbed to suicide and violence live in a Godless world of their own making.

More and more each day, God is being removed from our society. He was removed from our schools when prayer was prohibited and from public places when the commandments were removed from the Oklahoma State Capitol. God was removed from our speech, when it became inappropriate to say we were on Christmas or Easter vacation. Now we take winter and spring breaks. Christians who believe that homosexuality is wrong have been labeled “haters,” and those who profess their Christian beliefs are mocked and ridiculed as narrow-minded and naïve. The German supermarket Lidl and Nestlé have removed the cross from the image of the Anastasis Church in Santorini on their labels so as “not to hurt sensibility of other religions.³”

Only the love of God can conquer evil. Depression causes us to fall into a state of self-preoccupation. It isolates us from others, especially from those we love and love us. It is a form of selfishness, which can lead to despair and hopelessness. Depression can only be staved off by coming out of the cycle of self-preoccupation by showing love to others. When we give love, we are giving our life purpose and meaning. Christ taught, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). The Greek word for blessed translated means “happy, having a peaceful soul.” Thus, acting in love and giving love is what makes us happy in life. The only hope we have is in Christ, who brings light into the darkness of our world and who gives us the ability to love others as He loves us. “But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). A godless world has no hope, since there is no heaven or eternal life. A godless world does not know the love of God.

As the world darkens around us, it is up to Christians to be lights of the world through our love and good works. “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16). We are Christ’s ambassadors to the world. When God places opportunities in our paths, we must take up His banner and “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness.  Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called” (1 Timothy 6:12-13).

For those who do not yet know the love of Christ, simply ask Christ to reveal Himself to you. Repent of your sins, of those times you did not show love toward others. Christ will respond, and you will have an opportunity to know Him personally. Ask Him to lead you to a church where you will grow as a Christian and thrive. Ask Christ to reveal His love to you. You will be blown away!  

If you know anyone who suffers from depression or has expressed thoughts of suicide, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline phone number at 1-800-273-8255.

¹  https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/suicide/

²  https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2018/06/07/u-s-suicide-rates-rise-sharply-across-the-country-new-report-shows/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.e84131eabcba

³  https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/10/15/nestle-removes-christian-cross-greek-yogurt-packaging/

© 2018  Helen Kamenos  All rights reserved

http://www.helenkamenos.com/

Descent into Hades

Crucifixion was meant to publicly shame criminals and political agitators. Jesus Christ, being the only human who never sinned, was neither a criminal nor a political dissenter. The perfectly innocent Jesus was crucified between two thieves. Even while on the cross Christ had mercy on His executioners and all those who conspired against Him and mocked Him. As He hung on the cross, agonizing in excruciating pain, He exclaimed “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). One of the criminals also being crucified began ridiculing Jesus saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God…we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He (Christ) replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:39-43). At that moment, the repentant thief crucified with Jesus was promised eternal life in Paradise. This thief heard Christ forgive His murderers and recognized His innocence and goodness. He feared God and acknowledged that he deserved his punishment. He repented of his sin.  

But what happened after Jesus died? Where was He from 3:00 pm Friday afternoon until early that Sunday morning when He rose from the dead? Immediately after Jesus breathed His last, “The earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many” (Matthew 27:51-53). Not many are familiar with this passage, but remarkably, many of the dead were resurrected, and after Christ’s resurrection, they appeared to numerous people in Jerusalem. What happened here and why?

According to Paul in Ephesians 4:9, Christ “descended into the lower parts of the earth.” Peter tells us, Christ “was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit,  in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison” (1 Peter 3:18-19).  Where are the spirits in prison? The place of the dead. The Jews called this place She'ol. It seems to be divided into two areas, Abraham’s Bosom and Hades. There is a story that Jesus told about the poor beggar, Lazarus (not the one raised from the dead) and the rich man. The rich man lived a life of luxury and feasting, while poor Lazarus, covered in sores and starving, only longed to eat the crumbs from the rich man’s table. Both men died, but the rich man went to a place of torment and Lazarus to Abraham’s Bosom. According to Luke16:26, Abraham told the rich man, “between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.” This is the place where Christ descended. This is the great victory, which He triumphantly seized from Satan.

Christ died and immediately His spirit was transported to the place of the dead. According to some early church fathers¹, Jesus tricked the devil because He entered as a human. The place of the dead was Satan’s prison. Now, imagine…Christ arrived in Hades with pierced hands and feet and a wound in His side. What a magnificent sight it must have been! He must have appeared in a glorious light extinguishing the darkness of the underworld. The dead must have been bewildered to see God in their presence, in the place of the dead. Christ, being God, penetrated the devil’s dominion to proclaim the Good News to the lost. He came to call all to receive the reward of eternal life. He came to redeem any who would receive Him. Just like the repentant thief, those penitent spirits were also resurrected on Easter Sunday and accompanied Christ to Paradise. That somber place of death was now filled with joy and celebrating. Innumerable saints from the beginning of time were redeemed and appropriated from the clutches of the evil one. Satan must have been furious to lose so many. The demons must have been filled with terror. Christ broke open the gates of hell and freed those made righteous by the shedding of His blood. No wonder Paul proclaimed with joy (1 Corinthians 15:54-55):

“Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

“Where, O death, is your victory?

Where, O death, is your sting?”

Revelations 12 describes a great battle that broke out in heaven between the angels and the dragon, Satan. The devil and his demons fought against the angels but were defeated “for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God” (Revelation 12:10). Satan was cast down to the earth, along with his demons. He can no longer condemn those who have been saved by the blood of Christ’s sacrifice. They have been thoroughly cleansed of their sins. “Rejoice then, you heavens and those who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you with great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!” (Revelation 12:12). When Christ descended into the underworld, He set free the captives and defeated the devil, revoking his power over man.   

Christ descended into the place of the dead and saved those in bondage. He rose from the dead releasing all those who received Him. Heaven must have been astir with all its new inhabitants, rejoicing and praising God for such an overwhelming victory! Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Jacob’s son Joseph and his eleven brothers, David and Solomon, Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel and all the prophets must have been elated to finally be with their Lord. All the Gentiles who did not know God during their lifetime were also able to choose to receive Christ. Jesus brought the Good News to all who would receive Him.

Christ’s Resurrection Day, Easter or Pascha, was a grand reunion of all those from the beginning of time, who chose to love God but were imprisoned by sin and death. We, too, have been freed from death. Christ redeemed us. Now, all who love Christ are permitted into heaven, into the presence of God. This is the significance of Easter. We rejoice because all from Adam until the last day can receive eternal life in the loving presence of God. It is a decision we make of our own free will. Rejoice! For Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!       

¹ Bishop Hilarion Alfeyev, “Christ the Conqueror of Hell,” lecture given on November 5, 2002, retrieved from  http://orthodoxeurope.org/page/11/1/5.aspx

© 2017  Helen Kamenos  All rights reserved

http://www.helenkamenos.com/