To Believe or Not Believe:
That is the Question
What to do about doubt and faith?
In
the Gospel narratives we read that the Holy Apostle Thomas had told his
fellow Apostles that he would not believe the Lord had risen from the
dead unless he put his hand in the
wounds of Christ. But when He actually saw Jesus, he immediately said
"My Lord and my God", instantly believing without having touched his
Lord.
We all struggle at times with faith, yet when we get down to the bottom line, we must chose to want to believe. God's grace abounds when we turn to him, and say "Lord, I believe, help Thou my unbelief (Mark 9:24)." Our willingness to turn to God, voicing our desire to believe, is the beginning of faith. This faith is a gift to us, and our willingness to receive this gift it is the beginning of a life that will be transformed by the Living God, the Father of Lights.
"When all is said and done, at the bottom line faith is a function of will - you must want to believe. The person who does not wish to - even if he sees God, he will not believe." (Elder Pavlos of Saint Katherine's Monastery in the Sinai).
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
We all struggle at times with faith, yet when we get down to the bottom line, we must chose to want to believe. God's grace abounds when we turn to him, and say "Lord, I believe, help Thou my unbelief (Mark 9:24)." Our willingness to turn to God, voicing our desire to believe, is the beginning of faith. This faith is a gift to us, and our willingness to receive this gift it is the beginning of a life that will be transformed by the Living God, the Father of Lights.
"When all is said and done, at the bottom line faith is a function of will - you must want to believe. The person who does not wish to - even if he sees God, he will not believe." (Elder Pavlos of Saint Katherine's Monastery in the Sinai).
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Photo: I took these photos a few days ago, while coming up the long entrance road of the monastery.
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| click on photo to enlarge |
Tuesday June 12, 2012 / May 30, 2012
2nd Week after Pentecost. Tone eight.
Apostles' (Peter & Paul) Fast. Fish Allowed
Apostles' (Peter & Paul) Fast. Fish Allowed
New Hieromartyr Basil priest (1942).
Martyr Natalius.
Martyrs Romanus, Meletius and Euplius.
St. Macrina, grandmother of St. Basil the Great (4th c.).
Venerable James, monk of Galich Monastery (15th c.).
Venerables Isaiah and Nikanor of Arkhangel'sk.
Martyr Barlaam of Caesarea in Cappadocia.
St. Venantius of Gaul (374).
St. Hubert of Maastricht (727) (Neth.).
You can read the life of the saint in green, by click on the name.
Our
thanks and gratitude to all of you who have contributed to the
monastery through your generous contributions. May God richly bless you
for your kindness, and support, of this monastery.
With love and blessings,
Abbot Tryphon
Donations can be made directly to the monastery through PayPal, or you may send donations to:
All-Merciful Saviour Monastery
PO Box 2420
Vashon Island, WA 98070-2420 USA
With love and blessings,
Abbot Tryphon
Donations can be made directly to the monastery through PayPal, or you may send donations to:
All-Merciful Saviour Monastery
PO Box 2420
Vashon Island, WA 98070-2420 USA
Romans 4:4-12
David Celebrates the Same Truth
5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, 6 just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:
7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
And whose sins are covered;
8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.”
And whose sins are covered;
8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.”
Abraham Justified Before Circumcision
9 Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised. 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, 12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised.Matthew 7:15-21
You Will Know Them by Their Fruits
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.I Never Knew You
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
I invite my readers to listen to my Ancient Faith Radio podcasts.
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