The Way Into the Kingdom of Heaven

by Saint Innocent of Alaska

Introduction

We were created to live on earth unlike animals who die = and=20 disappear with time, but with the high purpose to live = with God=20 - not for a hundred years or so - but for = eternity!

Every individual instinctively strives for happiness. = This desire=20 has been implanted in our nature by the Creator Himself, and = therefore it is not sinful. But it is important to = understand that=20 in this temporary life it is impossible to find full = happiness,=20 because that comes from God and cannot be attained without = Him. Only=20 He, who is the ultimate Good and the source of all good, can = quench=20 our thirst for happiness.

Material things can never wholly satisfy us. Indeed, we = know from=20 experience that every item we have desired has pleased us = only for a=20 short while. Then it became boring, and we started to desire = something else. This process of satisfaction and boredom = then=20 repeated itself many times. The most striking example of=20 unquenchable thirst for happiness was Solomon, the famous = King of=20 Israel, who lived around 1000 B.C. He was so rich that all = the=20 household utensils in his palaces were made of pure gold. He = was so=20 wise that kings and famous people from far away lands came = to hear=20 him. He was so famous that his foes trembled at the mere = mention of=20 his name. He could easily satisfy any of his wishes, and it = seemed=20 that there was no pleasure that he did not possess or could = not=20 obtain. But with all of this, Solomon could not find total = happiness=20 to the end of his life. He described his many years of = searching for=20 happiness and his continual disappointments in the book of=20 Ecclesiastes, which he began with the following phrase: = Vanity=20 of vanities, all is vanity (Ecc. 1:2).

Innumerable other wise people who were also successful in = life=20 came to the same conclusion. It seems that in the depth of = our=20 subconscious something reminds us that we are just wanderers = on this=20 earth and that our true happiness is not here but there, in = that=20 other and better world known as Paradise or the Heavenly = Kingdom.=20 Let man own the whole world and everything that is in it, = yet all=20 this will interest him for no more than a short period, = while the=20 immortal soul, thirsting for personal communication with = God, will=20 remain unsatisfied.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to this earth in order = to=20 return to us our lost capacity to spend eternity in the = blissful=20 presence of God. He revealed to people that all their evil = lies in=20 sin and that no one through their own efforts can overcome = the evil=20 within themselves and attain communion with God. Sin, = ingrained in=20 our nature since the fall, stands between us and God like a = high=20 wall. If the Son of God had not descended to us through His = mercy=20 for us, had not taken on our human nature, and had not by = His death=20 conquered sin, all mankind would have perished for ever! = Now, thanks=20 to Him, those who wish to cleanse themselves from evil can = do so and=20 return to God and obtain eternal bliss in the Kingdom of = Heaven.

Now we will discuss in detail how you can achieve this = aim. We=20 will examine:

Which benefits were granted to us by Our Lord Jesus = Christ.

How Jesus Christ lived on earth and suffered for = us.

Which path leads to the Kingdom of Heaven.

How Jesus Christ helps us to walk along the path of=20 salvation.

The Benefits the Lord Jesus Christ Has Granted Us

In order to evaluate the benefits given us by our Lord = Jesus=20 Christ, let us first remember what blessings the first man = Adam had=20 while he was sinless, and what sorrows befell him and all of = mankind=20 after his fall into sin.

The first man, having been created in the image and = likeness of=20 his Creator, had the most vital and close relationship with = Him and=20 therefore enjoyed total happiness. God, having created Adam = in His=20 image and likeness, endowed him with many of His qualities. = The most=20 important of these was immortality. God, being all-just, = created=20 Adam sinless and pure. Being all-blessed, He created Adam = blessed=20 also, and this blessedness or beatitude was meant to = increase in him=20 day by day.

As the book of Genesis states, Adam lived in the most = beautiful=20 garden (named Eden or Paradise), planted by God, and there = he=20 enjoyed all the blessings of life. He knew no sickness nor=20 suffering. He feared nothing, and all beasts submitted to = him as=20 their master. Adam suffered neither cold nor heat. Although = he=20 toiled by caring for the garden of Eden, he did so with = pleasure.=20 His soul was filled with awareness of the Divine presence, = and he=20 loved his Creator with his whole heart. Adam was always calm = and=20 happy and knew no unpleasantness, sorrow, or concern. All = his=20 desires were pure, righteous, and orderly; his memory, = intellect,=20 and all other faculties were in harmony and were constantly = being=20 perfected. Being pure and innocent, he was always with God = and=20 conversed with Him as with his Father, and in return God = loved him=20 as His own beloved son. In brief, Adam was in Paradise, and = Paradise=20 was within him.

If Adam had not sinned, he would have remained forever = blessed,=20 and all his descendants would have enjoyed blessedness. It = was for=20 this very purpose that God had created man. But Adam, having = succumbed to the tempter-devil, transgressed against the law = of the=20 Maker and took pleasure in the taste of the forbidden fruit. = When=20 God appeared to Adam right after he had sinned, Adam, = instead of=20 repenting and promising obedience henceforth, began to = justify=20 himself and to blame his wife. Eve in turn blamed the = serpent for=20 everything. And so it was that sin became a part of human = nature,=20 deeply injuring it because of the lack of repentance of Adam = and=20 Eve. The existing communion with the Maker was cut and the=20 blessedness lost. Having lost Paradise within himself, Adam = became=20 unworthy of the external Paradise and was therefore banished = from=20 it.

After the fall into sin, Adam's soul darkened: his = thoughts and=20 desires became muddled, and his imagination and memory began = to=20 cloud. Instead of peace and joy he met sorrow, agitation, = ruination,=20 misery, and woe. He experienced hard labor, poverty, hunger, = and=20 thirst. And after years of unsurpassed sorrows, sickly old = age began=20 to oppress him, and death neared. Worst of all, the devil, = the=20 perpetrator of every evil, obtained through sin the ability = to=20 influence Adam and to further alienate him from God.

The whole of nature, which had previously served Adam as = a means=20 to happiness, had now become hostile to him. From then on = Adam and=20 all his descendants began to suffer from cold and heat and = to=20 experience hunger and the effect of changes in climate and=20 environmental conditions. Animals became unfriendly toward = people=20 and looked upon them as enemy or prey. Adam's descendants = began to=20 suffer from different diseases, which gradually became more = varied=20 and severe. Men forgot that they were brothers and began to = fight=20 with each other, to hate, to deceive, to attack and to kill = each=20 other. And finally, after all kinds of hard labors and = tribulations,=20 they were doomed to die, and, as sinners, to go to Hades and = experience eternal punishment there.

No man, even the most talented and powerful, nor all of = mankind=20 in unison, could ever restore what Adam lost when he sinned = in Eden.=20 What would have happened to us and to all of mankind if = Jesus Christ=20 in His mercy had not come to redeem us?

But we should all thank our Heavenly Father for taking = pity on=20 us. He loves us far more than we are capable of loving = ourselves.=20 And because of His infinite love, He has sent His = only-begotten Son,=20 our Lord Jesus Christ, to rid us from our sins and from the = snare of=20 the devil and to lead us into the eternal Kingdom of = Heaven.

Through His teachings Jesus Christ scattered the darkness = of=20 ignorance and all possible error and enlightened the world = with the=20 light of the true faith. Now anyone who desires it can come = to know=20 the will of God and attain eternal life.

By His way of life Christ showed us how to live to attain = salvation. And He also assists us constantly in everything = good. By=20 His most precious blood Jesus washed away our sins and made = of us=20 children of God, who were slaves of passions and the devil. = Those=20 torments we, as transgressors of the will of God, would have = had to=20 suffer, He bore for us. By His death He crushed the power of = the=20 devil, destroyed the power of hell, and delivered us from = death. By=20 His resurrection He gave us life and opened the gates of = Paradise to=20 all. Therefore, death is no longer an irreversible tragedy = but a=20 passage from this temporary world of vanity and sorrows to = the world=20 of bright and joyous life. By His ascension into heaven = Christ=20 glorified our nature, enabling us to share eternal bliss = with the=20 angels and all the heavenly creatures.

It is impossible fully to comprehend and to describe all = the=20 benefits that the Lord has prepared for us. Let us just say = that all=20 who choose to believe in Him and to live a Christian life = will=20 become sons of God, will attain Paradise, where the = angels=20 and the just reside, and will see God face to face. They = will=20 rejoice with a pure and eternal joy, knowing no weariness, = sadness,=20 or troubles.

It is so wonderful that Jesus Christ gives these benefits = not to=20 a chosen few but to each and every person who desires to = receive=20 them! The path to salvation has been shown and arranged; it = has been=20 made as smooth and level as possible. Besides this, Jesus = Himself=20 constantly helps us along the way, so to speak, leading us = by the=20 hand. It only remains for us not to oppose Him, not to be = obstinate,=20 but to surrender ourselves to His will. So you can see how = much=20 Jesus Christ loves us and what great blessings He is = bestowing upon=20 us!

Let us consider for a moment what would happen if Jesus = were to=20 appear before us now and ask: "My children! Do you love Me = for all=20 that I have done for you and do you value those blessings = that I=20 bestow upon you?" Who among us would not answer Him: "Yes, = Lord! I=20 love You and am grateful to You!"

If, then, we truly love Jesus Christ with our hearts and = not just=20 with our words, and if we are grateful to Him, are we then = not bound=20 to carry out what He wills for us to do? When a person truly = loves=20 his benefactor, he expresses his gratitude by doing what = pleases his=20 benefactor.

How Jesus Christ Lived and Suffered for Us

The basis of life is love: Love the Lord your = God with=20 all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and = with all=20 your strength, and love your neighbor as yourself = (Mk.=20 12:30-31). Because of our sinfulness, none of us is = capable=20 of loving God and our neighbors in such a complete and = perfect=20 manner. Only Jesus Christ truly loved everyone, even His=20 enemies.

His infinite love was evidenced in His every word and = deed. Being=20 the only-begotten Son of God and God Himself, Jesus Christ = in His=20 pity for us came down from Heaven and was incarnate, = becoming in=20 everything the same as us, except in sin. Being the = Sovereign=20 Heavenly King, before Whom all Angels and creatures tremble, = He=20 deigned to take on the image of an ordinary person, to = restore our=20 corrupted nature. While possessing all the treasures of the = world,=20 He agreed to be born in poverty, lying in a manger in a dark = cave.

Being the supreme Lawgiver, Jesus Christ during His = earthly life=20 humbly submitted to all the decrees and commandments of the = Jewish=20 religious law. Thus, on the eighth day after His birth, He = submitted=20 to circumcision, and on the fortieth day His Mother brought = Him into=20 the temple and there paid the redemption fee for Him, the = Ruler of=20 the Universe. As was fitting for a boy and then later a = youth, He=20 always obeyed His earthly Mother and helped His foster = father, the=20 elderly Joseph. Once mature, He treated the Jewish elders = and=20 leaders with respect, as well as the Roman governors, and = paid the=20 required taxes. He willingly lived in poverty and often, = while=20 travelling to preach, had no place to rest His head. Christ, = to Whom=20 all nature submits, Himself served people and even washed = the feet=20 of His disciples, who were uneducated fishermen.

Jesus Christ constantly prayed to His Heavenly Father, = even at=20 night when the others were asleep. On Sabbath days at a = synagogue,=20 He took part in the communal prayers and the reading of the=20 Scriptures, and on the major feast days He made pilgrimages = to the=20 temple at Jerusalem.

With all His love and diligence Jesus fulfilled that = commission=20 for which His Heavenly Father sent Him, directing everything = toward=20 His Father's glory. He felt pity for all people, especially = for the=20 poor and underprivileged, wished well to everyone, and was = willing=20 to bear anything in order to ease their suffering. He bore = all=20 conceivable affronts and insults from the ungrateful crowd = with the=20 greatest meekness, and did not vent His anger on those who = slandered=20 Him and plotted intrigues against Him. Some who bore Christ = ill-will=20 called Him a sinner and lawbreaker; others called Him a = carpenter's=20 son and a shallow person; still others said He was a friend = of=20 drunkards and sinners. On several occasions Christ's enemies = attempted to stone Him or toss Him from a mountaintop. = Jewish=20 scribes called His divine teachings deceitful; and when He = healed=20 the sick, raised the dead, or exorcised demons, they = explained away=20 these miracles as the deeds of an evil spirit. Some even = openly=20 called Him possessed. The Lord Jesus, being Almighty God, = could have=20 destroyed them all with one word. Instead, He pitied them as = spiritually blind and prayed for their welfare and for their = salvation.

In brief, from His early youth till His very death, Jesus = Christ=20 constantly did good to all people, even when, instead of = being=20 grateful to Him, they caused Him anguish and pain. He was = especially=20 hated by the Jewish elders, high priests, and scribes - = whose=20 mission it was to teach the people goodness and to lead them = toward=20 faith. They worked with all their might to keep the people = from=20 believing in Jesus as the God-sent Messiah, distorting the = meaning=20 of the prophecies that predicted His coming. They = contradicted all=20 that He said or did. Jesus did not grieve so much that the = Jewish=20 leaders fought against Him as He did from the fact that they = were=20 rushing blindly toward doom, taking the simple people along = with=20 them.

Not long before His death, Jesus worked His greatest = miracle: He=20 resurrected Lazarus, who had already been in the grave for = four days=20 and whose body had started to decompose. This miracle took = place in=20 the presence of a great crowd and made an overwhelming = impression on=20 them all. After this miracle, many of the unbelieving Jews = started=20 to believe in Jesus as the Messiah. But the high priests and = the=20 scribes, being envious of His fame, hastily gathered and = decided to=20 put Christ to death without delay, together with Lazarus = whom He had=20 resurrected.

Knowing that the days of His earthly life were drawing to = an end,=20 Christ gathered his disciples in a room near Mount Zion for = the=20 mystical last supper. Here He instituted the Mystery of Holy = Communion and gave His last commandments to the disciples. = After=20 that He went to the garden of Gethsemane, where He = experienced His=20 most agonizing inner sufferings. The anguish was so great = that=20 during prayer the sweat on His face became a sweat of blood. = At that=20 moment the soul of the Savior was immersed into a terrible = darkness=20 and horror at the unbearable sins which He was taking upon = Himself.=20 Jesus knew that he had to wash away with His most Holy blood = all the=20 countless transgressions of billions of people, beginning = with Adam=20 and including all future generations. Overwhelmed by the = oppression=20 of the world's evil, Jesus Christ exclaimed: "My soul is = exceedingly sorrowful, even to death" (Matt. = 26:38).

No one can truly comprehend what the pure soul of the = God-man=20 experienced in the garden of Gethsemane. You can imagine, = however,=20 that all the loathsome sins of mankind were revealed to Him = in all=20 their ugliness and that the pure soul of the God-man was = shocked and=20 depressed by this terrible sight. Christ knew that His great = sufferings and boundless love would be appreciated by only a = few,=20 that the majority of the people would turn away from Him = with=20 indifference, and that some would reject His teachings and = would=20 cruelly persecute those who believed in Him. He foresaw that = among=20 His followers there would be many hypocrites who would turn = faith=20 into a means for profit and that there would be false = teachers and=20 false prophets who would distort His teachings and who, = because of=20 pride and greed, would entice the faithful into harmful = sects. He=20 foresaw that false pastors would appear, who, because of = ambition,=20 would create schisms in the Church. Christ knew not only = that many=20 Christians would fail to love God and live righteously but = also that=20 they would give themselves to heinous crimes and vices, so = that by=20 their sins they would even surpass pagans, and as a result = the=20 Christian faith would be scandalized.

In these most trying sufferings, while justice and = loyalty to His=20 Father demanded from Christ that He destroy mankind as = ungrateful=20 and criminal, the feelings of pity and sorrow ultimately = stirred Him=20 to accept all sufferings and death itself to save us sinners = from=20 the power of the devil and from eternal damnation.

While Jesus was still praying, a mob with torches and = clubs,=20 along with some soldiers who were sent by the Jewish elders, = came=20 into the garden. They bound Him and dragged Him, as they = would an=20 evildoer, to the high priest for trial. The Apostles, whom = He loved=20 so much and brought so close to Himself, faintheartedly left = Him and=20 fled. Then the leaders and all the Sanhedrin quickly = assembled at=20 the home of the high priest, where they brought a multitude = of the=20 most ridiculous accusations against Christ. None of these, = however,=20 was enough to warrant a sentence of death. The high priest = demanded=20 that Jesus, while He was under oath, state whether or not He = was the=20 promised Messiah, the Son of God. After He affirmed that He = was, the=20 Sanhedrin accused Him of blasphemy and sentenced Him to = death. After=20 this, the members of the council, unable to hold back their = hatred=20 of Jesus any longer, surrounded Him and subjected Him to = beatings=20 and all kinds of insults.

The Romans, however, had deprived the Sanhedrin of the = power to=20 execute anyone. So, the next morning, on Friday, the day = before the=20 Passover, the Jewish leaders brought Jesus Christ to a new = trial=20 before the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, hoping that Pilate = would=20 affirm their decision. Pilate, realizing that they were = accusing=20 Christ out of envy, wanted to let Him go. But the high = priests and=20 elders threatened that they would complain about him to the = Roman=20 emperor. Not wishing to jeopardize his career, Pilate = decided to=20 address the people who had gathered there. Reminding the = people of=20 the custom to free some prisoner on the eve of the Passover = holiday,=20 Pilate asked them which of the two they would want him to = set free:=20 Barabbas or Christ (Barabbas was a robber who had been = imprisoned=20 for some crime). While the mob of people were talking among=20 themselves, the Jewish leaders convinced them to ask for = Barabbas'=20 release and to demand that Christ be crucified on the = cross.

The people forgot the innumerable good deeds of Christ: = from how=20 many of them He had exorcised demons, how many He had healed = of=20 leprosy, blindness, weakness and other incurable diseases, = how many=20 He had turned from debauchery to the path of goodness, and = to how=20 many of the despairing He had returned hope.

The Roman soldiers submitted the Lord to scourging and = cursing.=20 Finally they placed on Him a purple cloak and on His head a = crown of=20 thorns. Pilate then brought out the wounded Christ, hoping = the=20 people would feel pity and ask for His release. Instead they = began=20 to shout, "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" On hearing this, = Pilate=20 decided to give up. He halfheartedly washed his hands as a = sign of=20 non-participation in the conviction of an innocent man, = ordered the=20 release of Barabbas, and handed Christ over to the Jewish = leaders=20 for them to dispose of.

The soldiers gave Christ the wooden cross on which He was = to be=20 crucified and ordered Him to carry it to the execution site, = known=20 as Golgotha (meaning "place of the skull"). There they = removed His=20 outer clothing and nailed Him to the cross. Two robbers, one = on=20 either side, were crucified with Him. Thus, in the most = humiliating=20 circumstances, as if He were a great criminal, they executed = the One=20 Who with the divine light dispelled the darkness of = fallacies and=20 Who with His boundless love defeated hate! Dear God! How = cruel and=20 blind people can be!

But those who hated Christ could not satisfy their = hatred. Even=20 on the dying Sufferer they piled more curses and with sneers = demanded a miracle. When He asked for water to quench His = thirst,=20 they gave Him vinegar. And thus, deserted by all, wounded, = bleeding=20 and suffocating, fatigued by an unbearable thirst, He, the = one who=20 once breathed life into the first man, died the cruelest of = deaths!=20 Even soulless nature recoiled at this crime: the sun = darkened and=20 the earth quaked.

For whom, then, did the Savior of the world suffer? He = suffered=20 for all mankind, for enemies and tormentors, for those who, = having=20 received many benefits from Him, failed to thank Him. He = suffered=20 for each and every one of us, stubborn sinners, who daily = sadden Him=20 with our indifference, ingratitude, hatred, lies, and wicked = deeds,=20 and who, by these innumerable sins, crucify Him again and = again.

In order to appreciate more fully the boundless love of = Jesus=20 Christ and the extent of His sacrifice, let us remind = ourselves how=20 great He is and how insignificant we are. Indeed, Christ is = the true=20 God, equal to the Father and the Holy Spirit. He resides in = an=20 unreachable world, this all powerful Creator of the = universe, this=20 immortal King before whom bow countless hosts of angels. He = is the=20 undying fountain of life, the Lord of all that is visible = and=20 invisible, the formidable Judge of the living and the dead. = This=20 same Jesus suffered for us sinful and worthless creatures. = Who can=20 comprehend this mystery of Godly Love?

The Path into the Kingdom of Heaven

The road into the Kingdom of Heaven was made by the Lord = Jesus=20 Christ, and He was the first one who travelled it. The Bible = teaches=20 that only he who follows Jesus can reach His Kingdom. But = how can=20 one follow Him? Hear what our Savior says about this: = Whoever=20 desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up = his=20 cross, and follow Me (Mark 8:34).

The words whoever desires mean that Christ does = not=20 compel anyone to follow Him. He has no need of the unwilling = ones,=20 but He desires that each person freely follow Him.=20 Consequently, only those who willingly choose the Savior's = path=20 reach the Kingdom of Heaven.

Christian! Your salvation or perdition is entirely in = your own=20 hands. In His unspeakable wisdom and love, the Lord has = given you=20 freedom to chose what you wish, and He does not force you to = do=20 anything against your will. Therefore, if you truly wish to = follow=20 Jesus Christ, He will show you the way into the Kingdom of = Heaven=20 and will help you along each step. If you do not wish to = follow Him,=20 it is your decision. But take care not to disdain the grace = of God!=20 Pitying you, Jesus Christ knocks for a long time at the door = of your=20 heart, waiting for your decision to save yourself. But woe = to you if=20 He, tiring of waiting, turns His face away from you, as a = hopeless=20 son or daughter of perdition. Then no one, neither the most = powerful=20 and influential person, nor all the angels in heaven, will = be able=20 to help you!

That is why it is extremely important to nourish in = ourselves the=20 desire and resolve to follow the path of salvation. To make = this=20 desire grow in us and strengthen our resolve, we must learn = where=20 the path Christ showed us leads and how to follow it. These=20 questions are of such extreme importance we will discuss = them in=20 detail.

1. First of all, a Christian must thoroughly study the = foundations of the Christian faith. To that end, you = must read=20 and reread the Holy Scriptures on a regular basis, = especially the=20 books of the New Testament. You must not only learn their = contents=20 but also develop an interest in their origin, who wrote them = and=20 when, how they were preserved and have been handed down to = us, and=20 why they are called Divine and Sacred. You must study the = Holy Books=20 with simplicity of heart, without prejudice or excessive=20 inquisitiveness, not trying to discover hidden mysteries but = trying=20 to learn that which leads us to self-improvement. Certainly = all that=20 is necessary for us to know for our salvation is revealed = quite=20 clearly and in detail in the Scriptures.

It is important also to study our God-given faith in = detail,=20 since he who is indifferent toward truth is in danger of = becoming=20 easy prey for false teachers. It is so sad that many = Orthodox=20 Christians perish simply because of their disregard for = Christ's=20 teachings. Having access to the light, they wander in the = dark.

The studying of the faith should conform to your = aptitudes and=20 knowledge. For instance, for the serious student, in = addition to=20 studying the Scriptures, it is also useful to become = familiar with=20 the works of the Church Fathers and with the historical and=20 theological books written by other Orthodox authors. These = books=20 will help you to comprehend your faith more deeply, which in = turn=20 will give you an opportunity to strengthen others in the = Orthodox=20 faith, to whom these books are unavailable.

2. When you become convinced that our Orthodox faith is = based on=20 Holy Scriptures and is not invented by people and that the = Holy=20 Scriptures contain the true word of God, revealed by the = Holy Spirit=20 through prophets and apostles - accept it with all = your=20 trusting heart. Believe the Holy Scriptures without doubt or = philosophizing, pushing aside all heretical explanations. If = you=20 humbly accept Christ's truth, then your faith will become = strong and=20 will lead you to salvation.

3. Finally, try to nourish a diligence in = yourself=20 to follow that which is taught by the Holy Scriptures. But = if you do=20 not have such diligence, fall down before the Savior and = with a=20 sincere prayer ask Him to send you a zealous wish to live = according=20 to His commandments. Then, when the grace of God starts = leading you=20 toward salvation, follow it, valiantly repelling the snares = of the=20 devil, who will attempt to detract you from Christ's = path.

To illustrate what was just said about the path into the = Kingdom=20 of Heaven, let's assume that unexpectedly you became the = sole heir=20 of a rich relative. This relative, before dying, willed his=20 magnificent mansion on the top of a picturesque mountain to = you.=20 Loving solitude, he had not built any roads but reached his = mansion=20 by a trail. In order to help you take possession of the = property, he=20 left you a map of the mountain, indicating the correct trail = on it.=20 The mountain has many other trails, none of which reached = the=20 mansion; some lead to a dead end, and others to a steep = cliff.=20 Therefore, in order to reach your mansion, you have to take = the=20 trail indicated by your loving relative.

Prudence would suggest that, before undertaking such a = trip, you=20 should carefully study the map of the mountain, obtaining = all the=20 necessary supplies for the climb and being prepared to spend = the=20 night on the mountain, if necessary. It would be good to ask = a=20 ranger about landmarks on the mountain and how best to avoid = losing=20 your way or straying from the correct trail. Certainly, = being a=20 person with common sense, you would make all necessary = preparations=20 before setting off on this new trail.

Similarly, to reach the Kingdom of Heaven, we should = determine=20 which path leads to it, how not to falter, what we must = beware of,=20 etc. Our map is the Holy Scriptures and other Orthodox = books; the=20 rangers are the pastors of the Church, whose duty it is to = help the=20 faithful on their way toward Paradise. The provisions are = the=20 Mysteries (Sacraments) of the Church, which reinforce our = spiritual=20 strength. Sometimes the path leading to Paradise may become = narrow,=20 steep and overgrown with bushes, whereas other paths may = seem wider=20 and easier to travel. It is very important not to stray from = the=20 correct path. The Lord Jesus Christ and His Apostles = repeatedly=20 warned that there is but one path that leads to the = Kingdom=20 of Heaven, the one given in the Gospel. All others, = especially the=20 wide and comfortable ones, lead to perdition.

Let us now examine more closely the path indicated to us = by our=20 Lord Jesus Christ. He said: Whoever desires to come = after Me=20 must:

Deny himself

Take up his cross

Follow Me

Thus, a follower of Christ must begin by denying = himself.=20 This means that you must disown all bad habits, free your = heart from=20 sinful bonds (like hunger for money, luxury, fame, power = over=20 others, etc.), squelch impure thoughts, harbor no lustful = desires,=20 distance yourself from situations leading to sin, and, in = general,=20 do nothing because of stubbornness or ego but do all for the = love of=20 God and with the desire to contribute to the glory of His = Holy Name.=20 In other words, to deny yourself is to be dead = indeed=20 to sin but alive to God, as St. Paul has explained in = Rom.=20 6:11.

Then, it is necessary for a disciple and follower of = Christ to=20 take up his cross. The cross means the various=20 difficulties and sorrows associated with a Christian life. = Crosses=20 may be external as well as internal. To take = up your=20 cross means to tolerate everything without complaining, = regardless=20 of how unpleasant things might become. For example, if = someone has=20 insulted you or laughed at you or provoked you, bear it all = without=20 anger or resentment. Similarly, if you helped someone and = he,=20 instead of showing gratitude, made up deceitful tales about = you or=20 if you wanted to do something good but were unable to = accomplish it,=20 bear it without despondency. Did some misfortune befall you? = Did=20 someone in your family become ill, or despite all your = efforts and=20 tireless labor did you repeatedly suffer failure? Has some = other=20 thing or person oppressed you? Bear all with patience in the = name of=20 Jesus Christ. Do not consider yourself punished unjustly, = but accept=20 everything as your cross.

To bear your cross means not only to accept = patiently=20 all difficulties that befall you but also to strive for = spiritual=20 perfection, as the Scriptures teach us. For example, we = must do=20 good to others: work for the prosperity of your parish, = visit the=20 sick and imprisoned, help the needy, collect money for the = poor, and=20 assist in spreading spiritual enlightenment. In other words, = we must=20 seek out tasks which will lead to the salvation and welfare = of those=20 around us and then, with perseverance and meekness, strive = in that=20 direction by our actions, words, prayer, and advice.

Should the prideful thought arise that you are better or = smarter=20 than others, quickly cast it aside because it will undermine = all=20 your good efforts. Blessed is he who carries his cross with = prudence=20 and humility, because God will never allow such a person to = perish=20 but will guide and strengthen him with His Holy Spirit.

In following Jesus Christ, it is not enough to carry only = an=20 outward cross. Indeed, external crosses are borne not only = by=20 Christians but by everyone; there exists no person free from = one or=20 more sorrows. He who wishes to become a true disciple of = Christ must=20 also carry his own inner cross.

An inner cross comes more readily than an outer = one. In a=20 state of repentance, you need only direct your thoughts = inward to=20 study your soul, and instantly a multitude of crosses will = appear.=20 For instance, reflect on how you were created and what is = the=20 purpose of your life. Are you living according to Christ's = teaching,=20 are you accomplishing something good, are you growing = spiritually?=20 Meditate about this in some depth, and soon you will come to = realize=20 that you are failing in many important areas. God created = you so=20 that with all your works, life, and being you should = contribute to=20 the spreading of good and the strengthening of His Kingdom. = You,=20 however, have not only failed in this, but, by your sins, = you have=20 rejected and even insulted Christ. Reflect on what awaits = you beyond=20 the grave and on what side you will find yourself at the = Last=20 Judgment: with the righteous or with the evildoers? And if = you=20 seriously reflect on all this, you will naturally become = distressed=20 and will regret your many words and deeds - and these = painful=20 feelings and the desire for repentance will become your = inner cross.=20 If you continue attentively to study yourself, you will find = many=20 other inner crosses. For instance, hell, which you have so=20 carelessly avoided considering until now, will suddenly = appear to=20 you as a very real threat. Paradise, which the Lord has = prepared for=20 you and which has barely crossed your mind, will vividly = present=20 itself to you as it really is: a place of eternal and pure = joy from=20 which you have deprived yourself by your careless way of = life.

If, in spite of the inner turmoil brought about by such=20 reflections, you firmly resolve to repent and amend your = ways and,=20 if, instead of consoling yourself with earthly enjoyments, = you=20 diligently pray to the Lord to save you and you decide to = surrender=20 yourself totally to His will, then the Lord will reveal to = you more=20 clearly the state of your soul so that you may be totally = healed.=20 Our problem is that the actual condition of our spiritual = sickness=20 is hidden from us under a thick mantle of self-love and = passions.=20 Only occasionally, thanks to our conscience, do we get a = glimpse of=20 our major and most obvious spiritual wounds.

Usually the devil, knowing how good it is for us to = recognize our=20 moral illness, uses all his wiles to prevent us from doing = so and=20 tells us that all is well and there is no need to worry. But = when he=20 sees that we are really serious about becoming true = Christians and=20 with God's help are on the way to restoring our spiritual = health,=20 then the devil uses craftier means: he presents to us our = internal=20 illnesses in such a hopeless condition that we become = bewildered and=20 despair of our salvation. If the Lord permitted the devil to = use=20 this trick on all of us, few of us would find the strength = to=20 continue the struggle. However, the Lord, as a knowledgeable = physician, protects as from despair. He heals our spiritual = ulcers=20 and encourages us as we heal.

Therefore, as the Lord restores your spiritual sight, you = will=20 begin to comprehend more clearly that your heart is corrupt = and that=20 your passions obstruct your path to God. You will begin to=20 understand also that the little good you have to your credit = so far=20 is damaged by your selfishness and conceit. Then you will = certainly=20 grieve, and you will become frightened and saddened: = frightened=20 because you are in danger of perishing forever, saddened = because you=20 have declined for so long to listen to the gentle voice of = God who=20 was calling you to salvation, and saddened because you have=20 accomplished so little good.

Although these inner crosses present themselves as = burdensome, do=20 not despair and do not think that the Lord has abandoned = you. No! He=20 is always with you and invisibly sustains you, even when you = forget=20 Him. He will not burden you with trials beyond your = capacity. Fear=20 nothing, but with total humbleness and devotion bear your = cross and=20 pray. He is the gentlest of fathers that could be wished = for. If on=20 occasion He allows His faithful servants to be tempted, it = is only=20 to remind them of their feebleness and to completely cleanse = their=20 hearts from pride. In our hearts is where He intends to = reside with=20 His Son and His Holy Spirit.

In time of sorrow do not seek comfort from people. Most = people=20 are not experienced in affairs of salvation and are poor = advisors.=20 Make the Lord your only helpmate, comforter, and = tutor, and=20 from Him alone ask help. The man to whom the Lord sends = afflictions=20 is blessed a hundredfold, because it is afflictions that = cure our=20 souls. In enduring sorrows, a Christian is likened to Jesus = Christ,=20 who suffered for us. We should consider sorrows a gift from = the Lord=20 and a sign of His care for our salvation.

If you bear your cross with perseverance and seek comfort = only=20 from Him, then He, through His mercy, will not abandon you = but will=20 touch your heart and will impart to you the gifts of the = Holy=20 Spirit. It is then that you will feel an indescribable = delight,=20 a wonderful inner peace and joy such as you have never = experienced=20 before, and at the same time you will feel an influx of = spiritual=20 strength; prayer will become easier and your faith stronger. = Then=20 your heart will be kindled with love of God and all people. = All=20 these are gifts of the Holy Spirit.

When the Lord decides to honor you with such gifts, do = not=20 consider them as rewards for your labors, and do not think = that you=20 have attained perfection. Such thoughts come from pride. The = comforts and grace of the Holy Spirit are not rewards but=20 gifts of divine mercy. Occasionally the Lord allows = us to get=20 a foretaste of future blessings so that we will put forth a = greater=20 effort in seeking His eternal Kingdom.

Finally, a disciple of Christ must follow = Him.=20 This means that in all deeds and actions we must try to be = like our=20 Lord Jesus Christ in His virtues. We must strive to live and = act as=20 He lived and acted. For example, Jesus Christ always thanked = His=20 Heavenly Father and constantly prayed to Him. Thus we also = should=20 constantly thank God and pray to Him in all circumstances, = whether=20 successful or difficult.

Jesus Christ revered His Mother and submitted to lawful=20 authority. Thus we also should revere our parents and = educators; we=20 too should respect those in positions of responsibility - = provided=20 their requests are not in conflict with God's = commandments.

Jesus Christ fervently and with love performed the task = for which=20 His Father sent Him. We should also conscientiously and = zealously=20 perform the duties which are laid upon us by God and civil=20 authorities.

Jesus Christ loved everyone and did good to all. So = should we=20 love our neighbor and do good to as many people as possible. = Jesus=20 Christ did everything possible for the salvation of mankind. = So must=20 we do good to others, not sparing our own well-being and = time.

Jesus Christ voluntarily suffered and died for us. = Therefore we=20 too must not grumble when some unpleasantness befalls us but = be=20 ready to make sacrifices with humility and devotion to God. = Jesus=20 Christ not only forgave His enemies their ingratitude and = animosity=20 but wished them well. So we also must forgive our enemies, = repaying=20 them with good for their evil while blessing those who = revile=20 us.

Jesus Christ, the king of heaven and earth, lived in = poverty and=20 obtained His daily necessities through His own labor. So we = also=20 must be industrious and content with what God has given us = and not=20 be consumed with desire for riches for their own sake. In = the words=20 of the Savior: It is easier for a camel to go through = the eye of=20 a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God = (Matt.=20 19:24).

Jesus Christ, being meek and humble of heart, never = strove for=20 adulation but directed all toward the glory of His Father. = We also=20 must not parade ourselves or seek recognition. For instance, = do you=20 help your neighbors, do you give alms, do you live more = piously than=20 those around you, are you wiser than your friends, or are = you in=20 some way above others? Do not brag about it. Remember that = all your=20 praiseworthy attributes are not yours but gifts of = God. Yours=20 are the weaknesses, mistakes and sins.

Following Jesus Christ means accepting with = faith and=20 submitting to all that Christ taught without question and = with=20 simplicity of heart. He who accepts Jesus Christ's words = becomes His=20 disciple, but he who fulfills His commandments with complete = devotion becomes His true and devoted follower.

This is the meaning of denying yourself, taking up your = cross,=20 and following Jesus Christ. This is the only straight path = into the=20 Kingdom of Heaven. Christ walked this path and calls us to = follow=20 Him. There never was and never will be any other path to = salvation=20 but this one, shown to us by Jesus! To the beginner this = path may=20 seem too narrow and steep. But it seems this way only = because our=20 understanding of divine blessings and happiness has become=20 distorted. Many of us regard the bitter as sweet and the = sweet as=20 bitter. However, as we come closer to God, much of what = seemed=20 difficult or bitter before will become easy or sweet, and = what=20 seemed to please before will come to seem boring and = harmful.

Of course, there will be trying periods in our life when = the path=20 of ascension toward God will seem exceptionally difficult. = Then we=20 should think that for every step taken there are a thousand = rewards=20 being prepared. Sufferings along this path are momentary, = but the=20 rewards are eternal. Therefore, do not fear the path of = Christ, for=20 a smooth and wide path ends in hell, but a thorny and narrow = one=20 leads to Heaven.

Why did God not make the path to the Kingdom of Heaven = light and=20 pleasant? Only God knows. Who would question His divine = wisdom? He=20 saw that the narrow path is what we need! We who are below = see only=20 bits and pieces, but He, Who is above all creation, sees our = lives=20 from the standpoint of eternity. However, though not = completely=20 understanding the plans of our Creator, let us consider the=20 following:

1. The Kingdom of Heaven is the highest beatitude and=20 inexhaustible wealth. If great efforts are necessary to = obtain=20 meager and temporary earthly advantages, then how can it be = possible=20 to obtain such a great and eternal treasure without any = effort?

2. The Kingdom of Heaven is the most coveted reward. = Where else=20 are rewards given freely and for nothing? If we struggle to = get=20 temporary benefits, so much more should we struggle to = obtain the=20 eternal reward.

3. We must bear our cross because we want to be with = Christ and=20 to participate in His glory. If Jesus Christ, our Master and = Teacher, gained heavenly glory through suffering, would it = not be=20 shameful for us to share His glory when we faintheartedly = shun any=20 trials or sorrows?

4. Besides, lifelong crosses are not the lot of = Christians alone.=20 Everyone carries their own cross, both Christians and=20 non-Christians, believers and pagans. The difference is that = for=20 some, their crosses serve as a means of attaining the = Kingdom of=20 Heaven, while for the others they bring no such value. For = the=20 Christian, the cross gradually becomes lighter and more = joyful,=20 while for the nonbeliever it becomes heavier and more = burdensome.=20 Why is this so? Because where the one carries their cross = with faith=20 and devotion to God, the other carries it with grumbling and = anger.

Therefore, Christian, do not shun your lifelong cross, = but, on=20 the contrary, thank Jesus Christ that He honored you to = follow and=20 imitate Him. If Christ had not suffered and died, then none = of us,=20 no matter how much we suffered and struggled, would enter = the=20 Kingdom of Heaven, for then we would have had to suffer as = slaves,=20 and slaves deserve no rewards. Now, however, we suffer as = sons for=20 our own salvation. O merciful Lord! How great is Thy love = for us.=20 How great are Thy benefits to us. Thou bendest evil itself = for our=20 benefit and salvation!

Christian! Gratitude alone to Jesus Christ, your = benefactor,=20 obliges you to follow Him. Christ came down to earth for = you. Can it=20 be possible that you would prefer some worldly thing to Him? = For you=20 Jesus drank the cup full of suffering; can it be that you = would=20 refuse to suffer a little for Him?

5. Jesus Christ redeemed us by His death, and, therefore, = by the=20 right of redemption we belong to Him and must do all that He = wills.=20 Christ wills only one thing: that we should attain eternal=20 bliss.

6. Finally, we cannot avoid the narrow path into the = Kingdom of=20 Heaven, since every man has sins and sin in itself is an = ulcer that=20 cannot be cured without strong medicine. Suffering is the = medicine with which God cures our souls. When somebody = is ill,=20 then, regardless of his surroundings - even though he is in = the most=20 magnificent of palaces - he will still suffer. Such is the = fate of=20 every sinner; no matter where he settles, even in Paradise = itself,=20 he will suffer because the elements of hell reside within = him.=20 Similarly, a righteous person can be as happy in a shack as = in a=20 palace. When our heart is filled with the Holy Spirit, = wherever we=20 may find ourselves, there we will always feel joy, since = Paradise is=20 within us.

And so, brethren, if you wish to attain the Kingdom of = Heaven,=20 you cannot bypass the path taken by Jesus Christ. Indeed, = all the=20 prophets, the Apostles, the martyrs, the saints and = countless other=20 righteous ones walked along this path. There is no = other.

Some might object, saying, how can we who are sinful and = weak be=20 like Jesus Christ or the saints! We live in the secular = world and=20 have families and many responsibilities. Oh, brethren! This = is a=20 cunning excuse and an insult to our Creator. To justify our=20 carelessness by such reasoning means to accuse our Maker of = being=20 unable to create us properly. After all, the saints, like = us, were=20 not sinless at first but participated in worldly affairs, = labored=20 and had various obligations and families to care about. = Surely they=20 were not perfect in everything. They had their share of = temptations=20 and low moments. Notwithstanding this, living in = circumstances=20 similar to ours and having their ups and downs, they steered = toward=20 the main objective of their life: the Kingdom of Heaven.=20 Undoubtedly, we also, if we truly desire to, can be good = citizens,=20 faithful spouses, loving parents, and simultaneously good=20 Christians. Our faith will not be an obstacle but, on the = contrary,=20 will aid all our good undertakings. The essence of = Christianity is=20 pure and selfless love, which is inspired by the Holy = Spirit.

Therefore, brethren, if you wish to attain the Kingdom of = Heaven,=20 follow the path which Jesus Christ took, and He, the = all-merciful=20 one, will help you every step of the way.

How Jesus Christ Helps Us

While walking the path of Christ, you should not rely = only on=20 yourself. If Jesus Christ, our Great Benefactor, had not = given us=20 help every step of the way, no one could have reached = salvation.=20 Even the Apostles, when left to themselves, were unable to = follow=20 Jesus and faintheartedly dispersed. But when on Pentecost = they=20 received help from above, they joyfully followed His path, = and then=20 neither dangers nor difficulties nor death itself could = discourage=20 them.

What is this help given by Jesus Christ to Christians? = This help=20 is the Grace of the Holy Spirit. God's grace = surrounds us,=20 and with it the Lord draws us to Himself. All who wish can = receive=20 this help and become filled with it.

The Holy Spirit, being God, equal to the Father and the = Son, is=20 the source of life and strength. He gives to believers = wisdom, inner=20 peace and inspiration, not according to their merits but for = Jesus=20 Christ's sake. How the Holy Spirit helps us, what are His = gifts, and=20 how one should attract His Grace will now be explained in = accordance=20 with the Holy Scriptures.

1. When descending upon a Christian, the Holy Spirit = gives him=20 faith and light. No one can have a true = living=20 faith without the Holy Spirit. Even a person most learned in = Scriptures is totally blind without His enlightenment. On = the other=20 hand, the Holy Spirit can make even the lowest simpleton = wise and=20 disclose God's mysteries to them.

2. Descending upon a Christian, the Holy Spirit brings = true=20 love which warms his heart. This love inspires a person = to do=20 good deeds, so that for him there is nothing impossible or=20 terrifying anymore. God's commandments, which appeared to be = difficult before, now become easy. Faith and love, gifts = from the=20 Holy Spirit, are such powerful means that the person = possessing them=20 can easily and joyfully follow the path of Jesus Christ.

3. The Holy Spirit corrects a worldly outlook and=20 attitude, so that a Christian is no longer overwhelmed = by the=20 temptations of this passing world. Gratefully using what God = has=20 bestowed, a true Christian does not become attached to = anything=20 temporary but considers himself a stranger in this world and = wishes=20 most of all to be in contact with God. On the other hand, a = person=20 without the grace of the Holy Spirit, despite all his = learning and=20 capabilities, always remains a worshiper of the world and a = slave of=20 the flesh.

4. The Holy Spirit gives a Christian wisdom. = This is=20 illustrated very obviously in the case of the Holy Apostles. = Because=20 of their low social position, they were the most simple and=20 unlearned of men. However, after the descent of the Holy = Spirit upon=20 them on the day of Pentecost, they received such wisdom and = power of=20 speech that even philosophers and orators could not stand up = to=20 them. The Holy Spirit always teaches Christians what they = must do,=20 and when and how they should act. Thus guided by the Holy = Spirit,=20 they will always find the time and the means for the = salvation of=20 their soul. Amid all the turmoils of the world and in spite = of being=20 busy, they will be able to collect their inner self to be = with and=20 pray to God. A non-spiritual person, on the other hand, = cannot focus=20 or pray sincerely, even in church.

5. The Holy Spirit gives Christians true joy and = undisturbable peace. They feel this peace and joy = even=20 during external difficulties and in times of trial. People, = on the=20 other hand, who do not have the Holy Spirit, can never truly = rejoice=20 or attain inner peace. When they enjoy themselves, they find = their=20 joy is transient, frivolous and pitiful, and on occasion = even=20 sinful. After their revelry, a boredom greater than ever = before=20 fills their heart. Similarly, when a non-spiritual person = feels=20 tranquillity, this is not a true spiritual peace but a sort = of=20 dozing or apathy. Woe to the people who do not awaken in = time and do=20 not start being concerned with the salvation of their soul! = They=20 will remain spiritually dead even while alive = physically.

6. The Holy Spirit gives true humility. Even the = most=20 intelligent people, if they do not possess the Holy Spirit, = cannot=20 know themselves well enough, because their internal illness = and=20 spiritual poverty are hidden from them. When they do = something good=20 or act honestly, they become haughty, look down on others, = and even=20 judge those who in their opinion are inferior to them. = Through their=20 own blindness, many self-satisfied falsely righteous ones = did not=20 ask the Holy Spirit for guidance and strengthening, and=20 consequently, perished. The Holy Spirit always comes to = those who=20 ask for enlightenment and help. As a bright ray of sun = penetrates=20 the darkness, enhancing the smallest details found within, = so does=20 the Holy Spirit, having descended upon people, disclose to = them all=20 the weakness and wretchedness of their soul. Enlightened by = the=20 Heavenly light, Christians can no longer boast about their = good=20 works, because they realize their soul needs healing and = complete=20 renewal. This realization makes them more humble, and they = begin to=20 repent and decide to live more carefully. They stop relying = on=20 themselves and ask God for guidance and help.

7. The Holy Spirit grants true fervent prayer. = Until=20 they receive the Holy Spirit, people cannot pray in a manner = truly=20 pleasing to God because they cannot control their scattered = thoughts=20 and feelings. Christians in whom the Holy Spirit resides, = however,=20 vividly feel the presence of God; their prayer flows evenly, = and=20 they know how and for what to ask God. In this inspired = state, they=20 can beseech God for anything, even the seemingly = impossible.

This is a short list of the most needed gifts of the Holy = Spirit.

In summary, it is impossible to enter the Kingdom of = Heaven or=20 even come close to it without the assistance of the Holy = Spirit.=20 Therefore, we should implore the Holy Spirit with all = earnestness to=20 come dwell in us and help us, just as He helped the Holy = Apostles.=20 In order for the Holy Spirit to be kind toward us, to = descend and=20 reside within us, it is important to know what draws Him to = us and=20 what pushes Him away.

Jesus Christ said that the Holy Spirit blows where it = wills=20 and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes = from=20 and where it goes (Jn. 3:8). This means that a person = cannot=20 force the Holy Spirit to come to him or predict the time = when He may=20 decide to do so. You can only feel His touch when this = happens.=20 Indeed, the book of Acts states that when the Holy Apostles = and=20 other Christians received the gifts of the Holy Spirit, it = was=20 always unexpectedly. He seldom descends immediately on those = beseeching Him but does so when it suits Him, as God, to do = so. No=20 one should attempt to foretell when or what gifts, if any, = he will=20 receive or to consider himself worthy of His descent! The = Grace of=20 the Holy Spirit is a gift of His endless mercy. And = gifts by=20 definition are given when it suits the giver, and only those = deemed=20 suitable by the giver.

It is the Holy Spirit Himself Who established within the = Church=20 the means of distributing His blessings to the faithful: the = Holy=20 Mysteries and other liturgical services. Non-Orthodox = Christians are=20 sadly mistaken when they assert that they can always, = whenever it=20 suits them, receive the Holy Spirit through well-known means = (which=20 are unfortunately also used during spiritual seances and = pagan=20 mysteries). Those who dare to orchestrate these means will = not only=20 remain empty of the divine gifts but also commit a terrible = sin=20 against the Holy Spirit.

Anyone who considers asking the Holy Spirit for = beneficial gifts=20 must know that these gifts are meant only for those who = possess=20 true faith. Indeed, the Lord first of all enlightened = the=20 Apostles with the true doctrine and then bestowed upon them = the Holy=20 Spirit. Similarly, the Apostles did not bestow beneficial = gifts upon=20 newly baptized Christians immediately, but only after a = certain=20 period of testing and affirmation in the true faith. That is = why the=20 Lord called the Holy Spirit the Spirit of Truth, = and His=20 Church, the beatified community of the faithful, is called = in=20 Scripture the pillar and ground of the truth (1 = Tim.=20 3:15).

Therefore, when a Christian, humbly and obediently, has = accepted=20 Christ's faith in all its purity, without any corrections or = misinterpretations, then the following are the requirements = to=20 receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit:

Purity of heart and chastity

Humility

Listening to the voice of God

Prayer

Self-denial

Reading the Holy Scriptures

Sacraments of the Church, especially Holy=20 Communion

To receive gifts from the Holy Spirit, you must, first of = all,=20 cleanse your heart of sin, self-love, and pride. The Holy = Spirit=20 always surrounds us and wishes to fill us, but the evil = nesting=20 within us, like a wall, impedes His path. Any sin keeps the = Holy=20 Spirit away from us, but carnal impurity and pride are = especially=20 offensive to Him. So, if we do not want the Holy Spirit, = Whom we=20 received in Baptism, to depart from us, or if we have pushed = Him=20 away through our sinful life and now want Him to return, = here is=20 what we must do:

1. Cleanse yourself with repentance and sincere=20 confession. Then shun all sinful thoughts and wishes. In = view of the=20 terrible lewdness of contemporary society, a Christian must = protect=20 himself from all that may pollute his soul and keep his = flesh from=20 lustfulness. Indeed, our body was designed to be the temple = of the=20 Holy Spirit. When a person is clean internally and = externally, the=20 Holy Spirit settles within him. In the presence of chastity, = the=20 only obstacle for the Holy Spirit is your pride in your=20 righteousness and your regard of His gifts as your just = reward. If=20 you have unfortunately defiled yourself, then stop sinning = and=20 repent. With a contrite heart regret that you have offended = God,=20 your most loving Father, and strive to live with greater = vigilance.=20 Then even you will be able to receive the Holy Spirit.

2. One of the surest ways of attracting the Holy Spirit = is by=20 humility. Even if you are an honest, just, good, and = merciful=20 man, in a word, even though you may have achieved much = goodness,=20 keep considering yourself as an unworthy servant of God. = Indeed, if=20 we examine our good works more closely, we will see that = none of=20 them are completely beyond reproach. For example, if we give = alms or=20 help someone, how often do we add conceited, regretful,=20 self-interested, judgmental, or other such unkind thoughts = to our=20 alms or help. Of course, every good deed always remains = good, even=20 when it is imperfect. It can be likened to gold which has = value even=20 before it is purified. But as gold becomes more precious = when an=20 experienced craftsman purifies and works it, so let us = entrust our=20 good deeds to the Heavenly Master that He will make them = even more=20 valuable.

Thus, if you wish your good deeds to please God, do not = boast=20 about them. You are not the master but only an apprentice. = As=20 craftsmanship gives value to gold, so a pure and unselfish = Christian=20 love, which stems from the Holy Spirit, gives value to our = good=20 deeds. Everything that is done without Christian love, i.e., = without=20 the Holy Spirit, is not yet a fully valued good deed. = Without the=20 Holy Spirit a person remains poor and pitiful.

But humility consists not only of realizing your = unworthiness but=20 also of bearing the various sorrows and adversities of life = with=20 patience and without grumbling, considering = them as=20 sent or allowed by God for our benefit. Do not say, "How = unfortunate=20 I am!" But say, "I deserve a still greater punishment for my = sins!"=20 And ask God not so much to deliver you from adversities as = to give=20 you patience and courage to bear them.

3. The Holy Spirit can also be received by listening = attentively=20 to the voice of God. God speaks to us by means of = the=20 internal voice of our conscience and through external = circumstances.=20 It is very important to develop sensitivity in order to hear = more=20 clearly what God suggests to us. He, as a most loving = Father, cares=20 for you. Daily He calls you to Himself, warns you and = enlightens=20 you. For instance, are you unhappy, has someone offended = you, has=20 misfortune befallen you, or are you ill? In these you can = hear the=20 voice of God, calling you to repent and improve. In time of = sorrow,=20 instead of seeking help from others or consoling yourself by = frivolous distractions and amusements, turn to God and seek = guidance=20 and help from Him alone.

Or suppose that you are prospering and living well and = that=20 everything flows smoothly. Consider this also to be the = voice of=20 God. Here God teaches you to be as merciful to those in need = as He=20 is merciful to you. It is dangerous and sinful to ignore the = voice=20 of God, to remain unrepentant and unimproved during times of = hardship, to fail to thank God, or not to help others when = you have=20 plenty. Even more ruinous is to do the opposite of that to = which God=20 is leading us: to grumble and become embittered in difficult = circumstances or to forget God and live only for pleasure in = fortunate surroundings. What might then result is that God, = after=20 repeated teachings, will turn away from you as from a = stubborn child=20 and will abandon you to your own desires. Then passions will = easily=20 overcome you, your intellect and conscience will become = dulled, and=20 you might reach a point at which you will justify even your = vilest=20 crimes as natural and common human weakness. In order to = avoid such=20 a fall, it is necessary to become sensitive to the voice of = God in=20 the Holy Spirit and to follow His admonitions.

4. The Holy Spirit can be received through = prayer.=20 Prayer is the simplest, surest, and most available means to = receive=20 the Holy Spirit. Because we are composed of body and soul, = they both=20 should participate in prayer. The primary elements of prayer = are=20 concentration and sincerity, which are attained by = inner=20 effort. Nevertheless, the body should not remain uninvolved; = it can=20 and must assist the soul in prayer by standing in reverence, = making=20 prostrations, making the sign of the cross, raising the = hands, and=20 reading the prayers aloud. Other favorable external = conditions also=20 help in prayer: solitude, silence, ikons with burning = lampadas=20 before them, incense, and when in church, church art and=20 architecture along with soft and harmonious singing, = beautiful=20 ceremonies, etc.

But to achieve concentration and warmth during prayer is = not=20 easy. Here, first of all, it is important to establish a = regular=20 time for prayer (for instance, mornings and evenings), and = to=20 develop stability and patience. You should constantly = overcome=20 haste, distraction, indifference and insincerity. In = addition, you=20 must strive to warm your heart with love for God. Only a = sincere=20 prayer brings comfort and peace to the heart. Much effort is = necessary in order to learn to pray properly, and, as we = well know,=20 all the righteous ones strove throughout their lives to = learn the=20 art of prayer. Nevertheless, your personal effort is not = enough. It=20 is the Holy Spirit who makes our prayer to be fervent and to = come=20 from the bottom of our heart. This was well known to the = saints who,=20 inspired by the Holy Spirit, stood day and night in prayer = in sweet=20 rapture, failing the while to notice the time fleeting = away.

Pray even though at first your prayer may be weak and = imperfect=20 because of your sinfulness and estrangement from God. Pray = with=20 diligence and fervor; train yourself to be sincere in your=20 conversation with God. Thus, little by little you will learn = to pray=20 and will start to feel a sweet comfort. The Holy Spirit will = have=20 mercy on you and will come and reside in you if you show=20 faithfulness in your efforts at prayer.

The Holy Scripture teaches: Pray without ceasing = (1=20 Thess. 5:17). How is this possible for people living in a = secular=20 world? If you are to pray all the time, how then are you to = perform=20 your other duties? The advice of perpetual prayer is = directed not=20 toward outward but toward inner prayer. If desired, you can = turn to=20 God internally whether you are alone or with others. Only he = who=20 does not want to pray will not find time for prayer.

5. Fasting and works of mercy aid prayer. The Fathers of = the=20 Church recommend: If you want your prayer to fly up to = God, then=20 give it two wings, fasting and almsgiving.

What is fasting and why is it necessary? Fasting = is a=20 voluntary self-restriction in food, drink, and pleasure. The = purpose=20 of fasting is to quiet or calm and lighten the body and to = make it=20 obedient to the soul. Overfilled flesh demands comfort and = rest,=20 disposing us to laziness, which hinders prayer and = meditation. In=20 the manner of an unbridled servant, the well-fed body rises = up=20 against its master, the soul, and wants to rule over it. = While=20 fasting, you should limit not only the type of food (dairy = and meat=20 products) but also its amount, restricting yourself to the = minimal=20 needs of the body. Then your fasting will become useful.

While fasting outwardly you should also fast = internally,=20 restraining your tongue from sinful, idle chatter and = moderating=20 your desires and your anger while driving off unkind = thoughts and=20 impure fantasies. Experience shows that there is nothing = harder than=20 to stop the wandering of thoughts and to direct your mind to = thoughts of God and prayer. This may be likened to the = taming of=20 wild horses who have long been stubborn and unruly.

Non-spiritual people do not even suspect how difficult it = is to=20 control the wandering of thoughts. Being occupied with = worldly=20 affairs, they consider their thoughts to be busy with = worthwhile=20 concerns. Only when they begin to strive toward a spiritual = life and=20 try to reflect on spiritual topics, do they begin to notice = that=20 their thoughts are murky. This is somewhat like the waters = of a=20 shallow lake. As long as its surface remains undisturbed, it = looks=20 clear; but when it is stirred, the silt from its bottom = darkens the=20 water, making it appear murky. Likewise, in the depths of = our heart=20 there lay various passions. Like silt, they rise and darken = the soul=20 when a Christian attempts to expose and struggle with them. = As the=20 Holy Fathers have explained, when people turn to God, the = devil=20 strives to darken their soul with bad thoughts and feelings = in order=20 to confuse them and distract them from their good = intentions. But do=20 not yield to his snares, and do not stray from the path of=20 salvation. Remember that no one can simultaneously think = about two=20 subjects. If you occupy your mind with good thoughts = (reading=20 spiritual books or studying some worthwhile subject), the = bad ones=20 will not be able to linger in your mind.

Love reveals itself in works of mercy. Among = such works=20 are to feed the hungry, to give drink to the thirsty, to = clothe the=20 naked, to visit and help the sick and the imprisoned, to = give refuge=20 to the homeless, and to be concerned about orphans. All this = should=20 be done with sincere and unselfish love, without any = boasting or=20 expectations of gratitude. The Savior teaches regarding = this: Do=20 not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, = that your=20 charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees = in secret=20 will Himself reward you openly (Matt. 6:3-4).

6. The Holy Spirit may be received by piously reading = and=20 listening to the Holy Scriptures. Being the Word of = God, they=20 hold a great treasury of spiritual enlightenment and wisdom. = The=20 Holy Scriptures are one of God's greatest blessings, which = can be=20 used by anyone wishing to do so. In them, the divine wisdom = is=20 presented in such an easy, approachable manner that even the = simplest and most uneducated person can understand it. Many = cases=20 are recorded throughout Church history and in the lives of = the=20 saints, in which the simplest of people, while studying Holy = Scripture, were enlightened, became pious, and received = abundant=20 gifts of the Holy Spirit even while some scholars and = intelligentsia=20 read the Holy Scripture and became confused and fell into = heresy.=20 The difference was that while the first read it with = simplicity of=20 heart, seeking in it spiritual direction, the second = approached it=20 with criticism, attempting to uncover inconsistencies. = Considering=20 themselves wise and all-knowing, these last succumbed to = pride and=20 even became false teachers. Be aware that our small and = imperfect=20 intellect cannot encompass God's wisdom. God enlightens = those who=20 with a pure and kind heart turn to Him in search of = enlightenment.=20 Therefore, in reading the Holy Scriptures, lay aside all = worldly=20 wisdom and inquisitiveness. Submit to the word and the will = of Him=20 who speaks to you through Holy Scripture, and beseech Jesus = Christ=20 to enlighten you and show you the path to salvation.

There are many other books besides Holy Scripture that = are=20 beneficial for reading: the works of the Holy Fathers, the = lives of=20 the saints, inspirational stories, sermons, and other = praiseworthy=20 writings of Orthodox authors. From the books available to = you, read=20 those that are based on Holy Scripture and are in accord = with the=20 teaching of the Orthodox Church. Beware of those poisoned by = heresies and non-Christian ideas.

7. Communion is another source for receiving the = Holy=20 Spirit. Regarding it, Jesus Christ said: He who eats My = flesh=20 and drinks My blood, abides in Me, and I in him. = (He) has=20 eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day = (Jn.=20 6:54-56). When Christians partake of Holy Communion they = unite=20 inexplicably with Jesus Christ and start partaking of His = divine=20 life. Therefore, you must go to Communion with faith, having = cleansed your soul by repentance, with a realization of your = unworthiness, and with the hope of God's mercy. Since God is = one and=20 indivisible, when Christians accept Jesus Christ into their = heart,=20 they accept the Holy Spirit and the Heavenly Father at the = same time=20 and thus become a living temple of God.

As witnessed in the Acts of the Apostles and other = ancient=20 Christian writings, the faithful of the first centuries took = Communion every Sunday, which then was called the Lord's = day.=20 Undoubtedly, because of this constant communion with Jesus = Christ,=20 they were as "of one heart and one soul" (Acts = 4:32). My=20 God, what a difference there is between them and us. How = many among=20 us seldom partake of Holy Communion, sometimes avoiding it = for=20 years!

Those who neglect to take Holy Communion do not love = Jesus Christ=20 and will not receive the Holy Spirit, and consequently will = not=20 enter the Kingdom of Heaven. So, for the sake of your = salvation,=20 partake of Communion as often as possible. The Body and = Blood of=20 Christ is a true cure for many spiritual and bodily = infirmities. And=20 who among us is perfectly healthy? Who would not want to = receive=20 helpful relief? The Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ = is the=20 nourishment which sustains us on the path to the Kingdom of = Heaven.=20 Is it possible to complete a long and difficult journey = without=20 sustenance? The Body and Blood of Jesus Christ is the = holiness=20 bestowed on us by Jesus Christ Himself for our = sanctification. Who=20 would refuse to be a partaker of such holiness? Therefore, = do not be=20 lazy in stepping up to the Chalice of Life, but approach it = with=20 faith and fear of God.

In summary, these are the means of receiving the Holy = Spirit:=20 purity of heart, chastity, humility, listening to the voice = of God,=20 prayer accompanied by fasting and charity, reading Holy = Scripture,=20 meditation, and partaking of Holy Communion. Of course, each = of=20 these individually is effective for receiving the Holy = Spirit, but=20 it is best to resort to all of them for our salvation.

To this it is necessary to add that if we somehow fall = into sin=20 and thereby distance ourselves from the Holy Spirit, we = should not=20 despair and think that we have irrevocably lost all = blessings, but=20 let us quickly prostrate ourselves before God with deep = repentance=20 and prayer, and the All-merciful Holy Spirit will again = return to=20 us.

Conclusion

Without faith in Jesus Christ no one can return to God = and enter=20 the Kingdom of Heaven. No one, even though he believe in = Jesus=20 Christ, can regard himself to be His disciple and share His = glory in=20 Heaven if he does not act as Jesus Christ did. And no one is = able to=20 follow Jesus Christ if he does not receive help from the = Holy=20 Spirit.

To receive the Holy Spirit, we must use the means granted = us by=20 God.

We should remember that the path into the Kingdom of = Heaven that=20 has been opened to us by Jesus Christ is the only = one, and=20 there never was and never will be another path that leads to = salvation. At times this path may appear difficult, but, = again, you=20 should remind yourself that this is the only one that = leads=20 toward your objective. At other times the Christian will = encounter=20 such consolations and delights on this path as cannot be = found in=20 any worldly thing. The Lord Jesus Christ assists us on this = path. He=20 gives us the Holy Spirit, He sends His angel to protect us, = He=20 provides instructors and leaders, and even He Himself takes = us by=20 the hand and leads us to salvation.

If the path into the Kingdom of Heaven seems difficult, = then=20 consider how incomparably more dreadful are the eternal = torments in=20 fiery Gehenna. If the path toward heavenly bliss seems = difficult,=20 compare it with the path toward earthly happiness, and you = will see=20 that the path toward earthly happiness is not really easier = at all.=20 Just observe how much people toil to amass earthly things, = how many=20 disappointments, fights, sleepless nights and deprivations = they=20 bear. Or remind yourself of how much effort and expenses it = takes to=20 achieve some meaningless and fleeting pleasure! And for = what?=20 Instead of the expected happiness, you are left with = disappointment=20 and weariness. When you carefully examine the heart of the = matter,=20 it becomes evident that people stay away from the Heavenly = Kingdom=20 not because the path to it is more difficult than the other = paths of=20 this world, but because it appears that way to them. = Besides, the=20 devil, an experienced and crafty deceiver, misleads people = into=20 believing that the path to salvation is difficult and the = paths to=20 perdition are easy, and he often succeeds in this.

So, my brethren, in order to avoid eternal perdition, let = us=20 definitely concern ourselves with our future. We know that = beyond=20 the grave there awaits one of the following two outcomes: = either the=20 Heavenly Kingdom or everlasting perdition in hell. There is = no=20 middle state, only everlasting bliss or everlasting torment. = As=20 there exist only two conditions past the grave, so there = exist only=20 two paths in this life. The one that seems wide and easy is = taken by=20 the majority. The other that seems narrow and thorny is = taken by=20 few. Those who follow the narrow path will be a hundredfold = more=20 happy than those who do not.

Brethren, if any of you who walk the wide path should = suddenly=20 die, what will happen to you? To whom shall you turn? To the = Lord?=20 You refuse to listen to Him now, so you must expect He will = refuse=20 to listen to you then. Now He is your merciful Father; then = He will=20 be your righteous judge. Who will defend you against His = righteous=20 rage? Ah! How frightful it is to fall into the hands of the = living=20 God! Therefore, concern yourselves now with the salvation of = your=20 soul while you still have time!

Work for your salvation while it is still daylight, for = the night=20 will come in which there will be no chance to change = anything.=20 Strive for the Heavenly Kingdom while you can still walk. = Walk even=20 a little bit, even if by crawling, but do it in the right = direction.=20 Then in eternity you will truly rejoice for every step you = have=20 taken!

May the All-merciful Lord help us all in this! Glory and=20 thanksgiving be to Him throughout the ages of ages. = Amen.


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