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Published by the
Orthodox Christian Network, September
2, 2005
O ABSALOM, MY SON
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In
studying the Old Testament, one reads many
stories of heroism, courage, and honor, but one
also reads of murder, rape and revenge. One of
the most moving stories is the story of King
David and his son, Absalom. While we could deal
with the story in depth, suffice it to say that
the brilliant and gifted son of King David dies,
and the king, when he learns of the death of his
son, gives us one of the most moving spectacles
of a father mourning the death of his child when
he cries out “O my son Absalom—my son, my son
Absalom—if only I had died in your place! O
Absalom my son, my son!” (2 Samuel 18:33)
I recently commented to a friend that there
really is no pain like that a parent feels when
he sees his child suffering. And there really is
no way to describe it to someone else unless
that person has faced the same pain. There’s
something about experiencing the sorrow of the
suffering or even death of a child that tests
and strengthens our most deeply held faith.
Our faith declares that suffering can be an aid
to becoming a mature believer, but it isn’t the
suffering itself that is the difference. It is
how one handles suffering and pain that
transforms the sad event into a stepping stone
of faith and love. I’ve seen as many people
react badly to suffering, and agonized myself as
they descend into bitterness and despair, to a
loss of faith and even into madness.
So, what makes the difference? There are at
least three principles that will help us
transform tragedy into triumph if only we will
have the courage to believe the Truth taught by
our Church.
First is the Power of Perspective.
There’s a great old saying that “it doesn’t rain
everyday.” One of the greatest temptations in
the midst of tragedy and pain is to get
spiritual “tunnel vision.” The only thing
your heart sees is the pain or the tragedy or
the sad event, but this “tunnel vision” is
false. Very rarely is our life totally defined
by sadness. Even during the most difficult times
in our lives, good things happen and joy still
finds its way into our lives.
By understanding the power of perspective, we
will be able to break out of the “tunnel vision”
of seeing only the pain, to also see the joy
that is all around us. St. Paul understood this
when he said, “If in this life only we have
hope in Christ, we are of all men the most
pitiable. But now Christ is risen from the dead,
and has become the firstfruits of those who have
fallen asleep.” (I Corinthians 15:19,20)
Second is the Presence of the Paraclete.
In St. John’s Gospel Jesus promises: “And I
will ask the Father, and he will give you
another Counselor to be with you forever—the
Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him,
because it neither sees him nor knows him. But
you know him, for he lives with you and will be
in you.” (John 14:16,17) Jesus promises that
He will send His disciples the “Counselor,” or
in some other translations, the “Comforter,”
meaning the Holy Spirit. The Greek word here is
parakletos and is used in St. John’s
gospel to refer to the ministry of the Holy
Spirit.
It is the presence of the Holy Spirit in the
life of a believer that provides us with an
inexhaustible Source of strength and peace in
the face of sad times and difficult
circumstances. This resource, given to us by
God’s grace, is available to every believer in
the wisdom of the prayers of the Church and the
divine
mysteries of the faith, as well as within the
soul of every believer who calls on God in times
of pain and loss.
Finally is the Promise of Peace. Jesus
told His disciples, “Peace I leave with you,
My peace I give to you; not as the world gives
do I give to you. Let not your heart be
troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John
14:27) We are Children of the Promise, the
promise that not even death can separate us from
each other in Christ. Because He has overcome
death, and has now granted to all who would
receive it the promise of eternal life and
salvation, we live in the peace that Jesus has
given to those who love Him, the assurance of
oneness with God through Christ and His Body,
the Church. This peace will confuse those who
don’t possess it. They will ask you how you can
face such tragedy and sorrow with such grace and
peace, and you can say to them, “It is the gift
of my dearest Friend.”
This week we will visit with Fr. Don and
Khouriyeh Maggie Hock. This precious couple
knows first-hand about tragedy and loss. They
will share with us just how their faith helped
them when one of their children died. Don’t miss
the inspirational story of this faithful couple
on the next Come Receive The Light.
Until next week.
Yours for the spread of Orthodoxy,
Fr. Chris Metropulos
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