The Fruit of Love

 The Fruit of Love

Forgiveness is the fruit of love

Our Lord Jesus Christ, while hanging on the cross, asked the Father to forgive his murderers because they did not know what they were doing (Luke 23:34). This was the fruit of love. If we immerse ourselves in God's love and actively strive and force ourselves to try and love everyone, we will be on the path to acquiring the heart of God, where love will permeate every aspect of our life. 

The Lord told us we must even love our enemies, a feat that is impossible without the grace of God empowering us.

In these difficult times, what with the divisions taking place in our nation, and even the stresses that have divided the various parts of our Orthodox Church in this country, there has perhaps never been a time when our call to forgive others has been more needed. Even the Roman Catholic Church is experiencing divisions that seem to point to a massive assault upon the very foundations of the Christian faith.

We must, therefore, embrace prayer more than ever before. Our nation, and her political leadership, need our prayers. Our bishops and clergy need our prayers. However, first and foremost each one of us is in great need of prayers from others and must pray for others. As Believers, we must not allow ourselves to turn away in despair, as though the darkness that seems to have descended upon our nation, and our churches, is somehow inevitable. As Christians, we must remember the power of prayer and repentance. Our common cry before the Lord must be that He turn His wrathful gaze away from our sins, and come to the aid of His people.

 

With love in Christ,

Abbot Tryphon