January 3, 2018

Pre-feast of Theophany; the Holy Prophet Malachi (5th c. BC); the Holy Martyr Gordius (313-24)

Read
James 1:1-18; Mark 10:11-16


Christ is born! Glorify Him!

The greatest gift the Lord imparts on a husband and wife is a blessing of a child. The love within the marriage shows forth that the greatest force in existence is not, the atomic bomb, but rather the self-sacrificial love, which manifests as a life creating force. The Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit reveal to us that this total and pure love is something that cannot be contained, but rather overflows outside of the relationship in which it exists. Love is meant to be given and in this exchange it produces life. God’s overabundant love continually overflows and this is the reason I exist. God is love and life, and these two cannot be separated. Our existence depends on God’s continual outpouring of love. It would be unthinkable if God decided that His love will be self-contained and sterile. We would instantly cease to exist—thank God that this goes against His very own nature.

We, who are created in God’s image and likeness, not only find personal fulfillment in living a life of love that is continually open to life, but through this we also receive salvation: “Let the children come to me, do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” To become a child we must value children, defend children, care for children and love children. When we do this we not only value children, but the foundational virtue of self-giving love on which our entire existence stands.