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AMERICAN SRBOBRAN • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2018 15

Our Relationship with Jesus Christ

by Father Rodney Torbic tions. Many individuals in the world blas- Holy Mysteries, in Baptism, Chrismation, The Lord’s Prayer and our thoughts re-
pheme and do not proclaim Jesus Christ Confession and Communion, Marriage garding Jesus Christ, all deserve careful
This is the time to consider Jesus Christ with great glory. At times, the conclusion and Ordination, in Holy Unction….these attention.
and our relationship with Him. Jesus can be drawn a war is being waged to are times when changes noticeably oc- In the Creed, we refer to the judgment
Christ is ever present with us. At times denounce and subdue any references to cur in human beings. Participation in the that will take place when Christ returns.
we will clearly sense His presence. At Jesus Christ in public places. Holy Mysteries is a turning point of life. The Gospel of St. Matthew in the Twenty
other times, we will feel distant and have We must be certain of our faith. Our There is a subtlety to Jesus Christ. He Fifth Chapter is an additional point of ref-
thoughts dwelling other than on Christ. It perspective must be clear. Through acts in ways which defy total comprehen- erence to the Last Judgment.
is important that we always repent and prayer, continual prayer without ceasing, sion and challenges the best of minds. Our relationship to Jesus Christ is
return to Jesus Christ. we can come to know Christ as we have Jesus Christ became man without giv- not to be stagnant. We should look to
Our relationship with Jesus Christ is never known Him. The barriers to our re- ing up His divinity. He entered the world St. Apostle Paul who said Jesus Christ
more than intellectual. It is intensely and lationship with Jesus Christ exist within through humble surroundings. We have would be magnified in his body whether
uniquely personal. Though all Christians us. no record of His being educated in insti- by life or by death. For St. Paul, to live is
are united with and identify with Christ, Each of us exerts control over our per- tutions of higher learning but His teach- Christ and to die is gain.(Phil. 1:26-27).
each person feels a special relationship sonal prayer life. Each of us exerts con- ings interest the world’s best scholars. Everyday is a new opportunity to renew
with Christ, a one to One relationship. trol over our use of time. Our thoughts Records exist of healing by Jesus our relationship with Jesus Christ. Every
A special bond exists among Chris- are subject to personal control. We must Christ. These miracles are sources of moment is an opportunity to say: “Lord
tians which they share with each other be sensitive to the word “discipline” and hope and inspiration for the sick and suf- Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on
and with Christ. This bond transcends how it emanates from the word “disciple”. fering of the world. They are objects of me a sinner.”
language and territory to link together in To be disciples of Christ, He must ever scholarly research and close scrutiny. Throughout our lives, Jesus Christ is
spirit and love, people who have never be present in our prayers, thoughts and More importantly, the miracles of Christ ever-present. He is wherever we may
met personally. mind. Jesus Christ must be our consum- serve to manifest the faith of Christians go. If we travel to another country, He is
The physical birth of Jesus Christ took ing interest. everywhere. Christ offers hope! there. If we work in a factory or hospital or
place centuries ago. As Orthodox Chris- The Orthodox Church is a Trinitarian People of all ages have relationships office, Jesus Christ is present. Airplanes
tians, we celebrate Christ’s nativity each Church. In the Creed, we proclaim our with Jesus Christ. We know from the and rockets do not reach heights which
year as a present day reality. We proclaim belief in One God, the Father Almighty, Gospel of St. Matthew that Jesus want- exceed the grasp and presence of Christ.
with joy each year that “God is with us!” maker of heaven and earth. We proclaim ed the little children to come to Him. We do not have to search to find Christ.
It is likely that we do not spend suffi- our belief in the Son of God, of one es- (MT.19:14). From personal observation, We do not have to travel far. Our chal-
cient time being amazed at the passage sence with the Father. In the Creed, we we can attest that men and women of all lenge is to open our hearts to Him and
of centuries and the enduring presence assert our belief in the Holy Spirit, the ages find a bond with Jesus Christ. to keep them open. Our challenge is to
of Christ. Each year at the Divine Litur- giver of life, who with the Father and Son For many, the relationship with Jesus keep our minds on Christ. We must open
gy on Pascha we read from the Gospel is worshipped and glorified. Our beliefs Christ begins at infant Baptism and grows our eyes and be sensitive to Christ’s
of St. John that Jesus existed at what give rise to our actions and they define us throughout life. Other individuals may ex- presence wherever we are.
is referred to as “the beginning.”(Jn.1:2). as human beings. perience unity with Christ at later stages Now is the time to consider our relation-
St. John states that all things were made We are members of the Holy Orthodox in life. The relationships may mature at ship with Jesus Christ. It is always time to
through Him, and without Him nothing Church. Our religious teachings and ser- different rates and in different ways. With consider our relationship with Him. Time
was made that was made.”(Jn. 1:3). vices proclaim Christ as God and enable certainty, we know the relationships with is measured according to Christ’s birth. It
Jesus Christ is central to our Faith. us to learn more about Him. Through the Christ are not limited by age, sex, race or behooves us to measure each moment
We take our identity from Him. We place Holy Mysteries, we experience Christ in national origin. of time as a golden opportunity to be with
our hope in Him. He is our salvation, the diverse ways in which He wonderfully im- Jesus Christ is identified with the King- Jesus Christ.
source for the remission of sins. pacts our lives. dom of God. In the Creed, we refer to His
As Christians, we live in a busy and The Holy Mysteries are turning points Second Coming. In the Lord’s Prayer, we
diverse world. There are many distrac- in human lives. We meet Christ in the pray, “Thy Kingdom come…” The Creed,

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