IF YOU HAVE NOT SENT IN YOUR 2018 STEWARDSHIP PLEASE DO THAT TODAY.
WE HAVE ALSO SUBMITTED TO THE PERMIT OFFICE OUR REQUEST FOR THIS YEAR'S FESTIVAL. THE DATE IS OCTOBER 13, PLEASE PRAY THEY GRANT IT TO US!
WE ARE LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS TO HELP WITH THE FESTIVAL, AND TO BECOME MEMBERS OF OUR PARISH COUNCIL. PLEASE THINK ABOUT HELPING ST. JOHN IN A DEEPER AND MORE GIVING WAY!
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THE ACQUISITION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
There have been many Orthodox elders who dwelled in solitude in far off deserts and in mountain caves in order to leave this Fallen World behind and become closure to God. They did this with all good intensions hoping to grow in the spirit and to see the world that is waiting for those who practice the virtues. One such man is St. Seraphim of Sarov. He spent many years practicing monasticism as a hermit. He received many heavenly blessings for his effort. He had the ability to interact with wild animals without any fear. All the miracles that God permitted him to do were because of his prayer life and were an outcome of the acquisition of the Holy Spirit. The following is a dialogue that this holy man has with a friend. Pray that we too can at some point in our life emulate this great saint of our Church. Enjoy!
"'My Joy, I beg you, acquire the Spirit of Peace,' said Father Seraphim to the monk, and at once he began to explain what it means to acquire the Spirit of Peace. 'That means to bring oneself to such a state that our spirit will not be disturbed by anything. One must be like a dead man or absolutely deaf or blind during any sorrow, calumny, accusation and persecutions, which inevitably come to all those who wish to follow the saving path of Christ. For one must go through many sorrows to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. This is the way all righteous men were saved and inherited the Heavenly Kingdom. And before this all the glory of this world is nothing; all the enjoyments of this world are not even a shadow of that which is prepared in the heavenly abodes for those who love God: there, is eternal joy and triumph. So that our spirit will have freedom to uplift itself there and be nourished from sweetest conversation with the Lord, one must humble oneself with constant vigils, prayer, and remembrance of the Lord.'
'And I, humble Seraphim.' said the Starets, 'for this reason go through the Gospel daily. On Monday I read St. Matthew, from beginning to end; on Tuesday, St. Mark; on Wednesday, St. Luke; on Thursday, St. John; the other days I divide between the Acts of the Apostles and the Epistles of the Apostles. And I do not for a single day neglect to read the daily Epistle and Gospel, and also the readings to the saints. Through this not only my soul, but even my body rejoices and is vivified, because I converse with the Lord, I hold in my mind His Life and Suffering, and day and night I glorify and give thanks to my Redeemer for all His mercies that are shed upon mankind and upon me, the unworthy one.'
Then, the indescribable joy, he uttered: 'Here, I'll tell you about humble Seraphim! I took a special liking to the words of my Lord Jesus Christ: In My Father's house are many mansions (that is, for those who serve Him and glorify His Holy Name). On these words I, humble Seraphim, paused and wished to see these heavenly abodes, and I prayed my Lord Jesus Christ to show them to me; and the Lord did not deprive me, the humble one, of His mercy. He fulfilled my desire and request; and so I was transported to these heavenly abodes, only I do not know whether in the body or without the body, God knows; it is inconceivable. And about that joy and heavenly sweetness of which I there partook, it is impossible to tell you.'
With these words Father Seraphim became silent . . . He stooped his head, quietly patting his heart with his hand; his face began gradually to change and finally became so glowing that it was impossible to look at him. During his sacred silence he was as if contemplating something with humility.
Then Father Seraphim once more began to talk. 'Oh, if only you could know,' said the Starets to the monk, 'what joy, what sweetness await the souls of the righteous in heaven, then you would be determined in this temporal life to endure any sorrow, persecution, and calumny with gratitude. If this very cell of ours' (at this he pointed to his cell) 'were full of worms, and if these worms were to eat our flesh throughout our whole temporal life, then with utmost desire we should consent to it, only not to be deprived of that heavenly joy which God has prepared for those who love Him. There, there is no sickness, no sorrow, no lamentation; there is sweetness and rejoicing unutterable; there the righteous will shine like the sun. But if the holy Apostle Paul himself (II Cor. 12:2-4) could not explain that heavenly glory and joy, then what other human tongue could describe the beauty of the high dwelling in which the souls of the righteous shall dwell? At the conclusion of this talk the Starets spoke about how it is necessary to take attentive care of one's salvation--now, before the favorable time for this has passed.'"
Finally, what words of wisdom from this humble and holy man named Father Seraphim. He not only understood what is takes to acquire the Holy Spirit, but he actively practiced the blessing that come from it. His final words to all of us are the cornerstone of a Christian life and the blessings that others will receive because of your efforts to maintain a blessed Christian life. "'Acquire a peaceful spirit, and around you thousands will be saved.' No matter who came to him, the Starets bowed to the ground before all, and, in blessing, kissed their hands. He did not need the visitors to tell about themselves, as he could see what each had on their soul. He also said, 'Cheerfulness is not a sin. It drives away weariness, for from weariness there is sometimes dejection, and there is nothing worse than that.'" AMEN!