The Virtues of Patience Humility

About the Virtues of #Patience, #Humility, and #Contentment In the depths of humanity's fallen state, when death entered the world, it did so through three grievous crimes: impatience, pride, and greed. Yet, through the grace of Christ, death was conquered by three great virtues, which we shall explore in depth. Drawing from the wisdom of the Orthodox tradition, we shall delve into the significance of patience, humility, and contentment, and their transformative power in the life of a believer. Part 1: Impatience - Overcoming the Sinful Nature Impatience, born from a restless spirit, is a formidable obstacle in the path of righteousness. As we reflect upon the events in the Garden of Eden, we witness the devastating consequences of haste. The serpent, the preacher of sin, whispered to Eve, stirring unease within her heart. Restlessness clouded her judgment, and she failed to investigate the serpent's deceitful words. Subsequently, Adam, who should have stood firm, was also swayed by impatience, leading both of them towards a tragic downfall. Part 2: Humility - Embracing Obedience and Discernment Pride, the first sin, is a perilous temptation that ensnares even the noblest of creatures. It is the root of disobedience and rebellion against God's established order. In the Garden of Eden, this sin manifested itself when Adam and Eve disregarded the fear of God and broke His commandment. The devil himself, consumed by pride, had no opportunity for repentance, succumbing to eternal damnation. To counteract this destructive pride, we must embrace humility and obedience. Our Lord Jesus Christ, the epitome of humility, willingly submitted Himself to the cross, even unto death, to redeem us from the consequences of our disobedience. He obediently accepted the weight of our sins, showcasing that obedience is the path to true life. Just as a child obeys their parent, even to the point of sacrifice, Christ demonstrated obedience to remove the death sentence imposed upon us by our disobedience. In imitating Christ's obedience, we restore the image of God within us and find our way back to eternal communion with Him. Part 3: Contentment - Overcoming Greed and Embracing Generosity Greed, the insidious desire for more, separates us from the company of God and His heavenly angels. It distorts our perception, causing us to covet what is forbidden or unnecessary. In the Garden, Adam and Eve beheld the tree and its fruit, considering it beautiful and desirable only after the serpent planted the seed of greed within them. Greed leads us down a treacherous path, where the devil entices us with false promises and desires. When we fail to find contentment in the grace bestowed upon us, death lurks nearby, ready to claim our lives. Yet, our Lord Jesus Christ, the Second Adam, offers a powerful antidote. He, who did not even desire His own life, willingly sacrificed Himself for others. Even in death, He gave generously, making amends for the wrongs committed by greed. Our first father rushed to acquire what he lacked, driven by covetousness, while our second father willingly gave His own wealth, even His flesh and blood, for our salvation. Through Christ, we learn to replace greed with generosity, finding fulfillment in selflessness and gratitude. About the #Holy #Trinity Beloved members of John's Repentance service, today (Technically yesterday) is the monthly feast the Holy Trinity. Hence we send you this writing so you may read and partake form the Trinity's blessings. The Holy Trinity - a profound mystery, one that confounds the human mind and yet, stands as a beacon of divine revelation. The Trinity, the triune God, is a singular essence manifested in three persons - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This, however, should not be confined within the human concept of numbers. The unity is not merely numerical, but a unity of divine essence, an unity of character. The three, then, surpasses the boundaries of numerics to suggest a unique trinity, a unique interconnectedness and interdependence. God is beyond the comprehension of human mind, beyond the law of numbers. Thus, it is imperative that God Himself reveals the mystery of the Holy Trinity to His creation. The grand revelation - the incarnation of God - stands as a testament to this mystery. It is through the Son of God, Christ, becoming flesh that the eternal Fatherhood and Sonship become recognizable. It is during the baptism of Christ by John the Baptist that the world comes to acknowledge Christ as the eternal Son of God the Father. The teachings of Christ post His baptism unraveled the divine nature of God the Father. These teachings, in combination with the moral life led by Christ, exhibited the coequality of the Holy Spirit with the Father and the Son. This divine revelation, in the body of Christ, was then passed on to the church, His body on earth. Christ informed us about God the Father, and the church, in her liturgical prayers, affirms this revelation. The Holy Spirit, a purifying and glorifying life, is the life of the Father and the Son. He is the God who lives within the Father and the Son. During the baptism of Christ, He descended in the form of a dove, teaching us to be baptized in the Holy Spirit as per the Gospel of Matthew (28:19). The apostle St. John begins his Gospel by affirming the eternal existence of the Word, indicating its unity with the Father and the Holy Spirit - the divine Trinity. He asserts that the Word was first, suggesting the preeminence of the Word, thereby allowing the fathers of the church to interpret the Old Testament through the lens of the New Testament. As such, the Old Testament is understood as foretelling the New Testament - the incarnation of the Son, who revealed to us His Father, and the Trinity. When Christ queried His disciples about His identity, Saint Peter responded, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew 16:16). Christ then affirms that this knowledge comes from His Father, and blessed Peter for his testimony. This affirmation from Peter not only confirmed the identity of Christ, but also subtly illuminated the mystery of the Holy Trinity. Peter's words imply that Christ is the living Son of God, sustained by the life of the Holy Spirit - thereby acknowledging the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The essence of this revelation goes further to highlight the mystery of the Incarnation. Christ, who came in the flesh, was the awaited Messiah as prophesied by the prophets. Thus, St. Peter, through divine revelation, testified to the mystery of the Trinity and the Incarnation in one breath. This revelation of the unity and trinity of God is evident in His creation and His salvation of the world. The Old Testament foretells God's plan for the salvation of the world, and the Gospel of John reveals the Trinity's involvement in the creation and salvation of the world. It is the same Trinity, who created the world from non-existence, that also saves the world with their unified power when it falls due to wrongdoing. Thus, we come to understand the divine interaction between the Creator and the creation as revealed in the Scriptures. The Trinity's nature, revealed in the eternal life, is also manifest in the salvation of this world. (Corninies) 👇