You will recall that Adam, after the Fall of our first parents, was condemned to laboring to make the ground bring forth the food we need in order to live, eating his bread by the sweat of his brow; while Eve’s labor was also transformed, so that the act of giving birth would be painful and difficult. One of the consequences of the Fall is that we must work to obtain the things we need.
This is not news to the Orthodox Christian – at least, it shouldn’t be! We know that we must work: above all, to labor for the salvation of our souls. This includes, of course, the work we must do to obtain what is needed to keep us alive: food, clothing, shelter, and so on. There are, of course, dangers on that path: we might, if we are not careful, get so caught up in the pursuit of the things needed for our earthly life that we forget that the earthly life is temporary; and that we should really focus our attention on acquiring what we need for the life in eternity, the life that does not end. Among other reasons, this is why we need to hear, on a regular basis, that we must always be careful to devote ourselves to the work that benefits us for life without end: prayer, and fasting, and giving of alms, and struggling against our sinful passions.
In the Epistle reading today, St. Paul speaks to the Church, and outlines another dimension of the work we must do: to preserve and protect the Truth given to us by and in the Church. He warns us that the Church will be attacked by “wolves” – those from without who will seek to destroy the Church. He also warns about the arising of false teachers within the Church, leading astray many with perverse doctrines and practices. This means that part of our labors must include knowing the true teachings of the Church; and being on guard to watch for attempts to deviate from the Path that we have been given. How will you know that what is being taught is false if you have never bothered to study the truth? And there is always something more for us to learn; so, this task of ours never really comes to an end. It is because of this task, the declaration of the truth against false teachings that would lead the faithful into pagan lives, that the 318 Fathers of the Church met at the Council of Nicaea in 325, to speak out against the heresy taught by Arius, a priest of the Church. The Symbol of Faith we recite each Sunday has its beginning in the proclamations of that Council; and it is part of our task to know the truth contained therein, and to follow and practice that way of life. We celebrate them on this day; but the best way to remember them and give thanks for their labors is to be faithful in living the life and faith we share in common with them.
Among the ends for keeping the Orthodox way of life is that of being “one”; which is a part of the High Priestly prayer offered for us by our Lord Jesus Christ, heard, in part, in the Gospel reading today. He prays to His Father that we might be one, as our Lord Jesus Christ and His Father are one. As we strive to live the life of Christ implanted in us by our baptism, empowered by the Holy Spirit, sustained by partaking of Holy Communion, and expressed in prayer and fasting and giving and struggle, and above all by loving and caring for each other – all of which qualify as work! – we are helping ourselves and each other to live as one. Not only that: we become an example to those outside, who do not, now, know the truth; who have not yet found the path that leads from earth to heaven. As we work to live the way we should, we are a witness and example to them; and those who are seeking will follow, and so find salvation for their souls. This witness and example are part of our work, a part of the labors appointed for us: to build the Church, the Body of Christ.
Brothers and sisters: we have work to do! We have a Church to build. It’s more than the building (although we have that important responsibility as well); it is gathering the people who will meet in and fill the building; the people who build the Body of Christ. Let us rouse ourselves from our slumbers, and leave behind being lazy, and get to work, saving our souls, in order to be witnesses of Christ, to the glory of God, and the salvation of the world.
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