If you have been involved this week with the wonderful services of Holy Week in the Orthodox Church, as we head toward the celebration of our Lord’s Glorious Resurrection on Sunday, then you know that the first three nights are times for serious introspection.  Those first 3 nights of Holy Week we have what are called the Bridegroom Services.  These services remind us that our Bridegroom Jesus will one day come for us.  The readings and the hymns challenge us to take a close look at our lives and to be ready for His coming.  The main hymn begins with these words:  “Behold the Bridegroom comes in the midst of the night; and blessed is the servant, whom He shall find vigilant.  We are reminded of the 10 Virgins who were waiting for their Bridegroom to come, 5 who were foolish and 5 who were wise (Matthew 25).  And we are challenged to imitate those Virgins who were wise with our spiritual vigilance and preparedness. The question for all of us is how then shall we live this life, the precious gift of life, which God has given us? 

Here’s a story or teaching from many years ago.  It was from an old, wise Orthodox monastic.  I found myself reading it several times and pondering over exactly what he was saying to me.  I hope you will find the same interest in it.
 
A story from the Elder Barlaam.

A certain man had three friends. Two of them he loved sincerely and spent a great deal of time with them.  Sadly he avoided the third and when he was around him, he treated him with contempt.  It so happened that the king summoned this man before him to render account and to repay his debt.  The man turned for help to his first friend, but he rejected him and departed. He then turned to his second friend but he also refused to help him and also departed.  With shame, he then turned to the third friend.  The very one he had treated badly throughout their relationship joyfully accompanied him before the king.

The interpretation is this: the first friend is wealth; the second friend is our pride in who we think we are (our own importance); the third friend is the good deeds we have done in this world. The king is God, Who, through death, sends summons and seeks an accounting of how a person has lived their life.

A dying man seeks help from his wealth, but it turns away and passes on immediately into the hands of another owner. He then turns to his own self- importance, but in his death, he has become nothing of importance in this world and, in fact, he is replaced quickly. Then, he reminds himself of his good deeds, which he carried out with a bad attitude.  These good deeds, even though done begrudgingly, immediately accompany him on the path into the presence of the King.

He, who has ears to hear, let him hear. The only companions of the soul journeying to the other world are the deeds of a person, be they good or be they bad.  All of that which was dear and precious to a person (money and power or prestige) leaves them in the end and turns away from them.  Only their deeds, to the very last one, accompany them.  He, who has a mind to understand, let him understand.

This holy man of God was obviously trying to bring home the point of what is really of importance in this life we live.  It is not the things that people seem to value the most: Money and power or prestige.  Here are some of the thoughts that came across my mind as I pondered this story (no particular order):

 
When I had the opportunity to forgive someone a terrible wrong, did I forgive them or hold onto bitterness, anger, or hatred?

When I had the opportunity to humble myself in a disagreement, did I or did I exalt myself and lose a friend?

When I had the opportunity to show someone mercy when it was in my power to show them mercy, did I or did I show them my power?

When I had the opportunity to exalt someone else for what they had accomplished, did I or did I become jealous and find a way to make them look bad to exalt myself?

When I had the opportunity to help someone in great need, did I give of my abundance or did I continue to hoard that which isn’t mine anyway?

When I had the opportunity to speak the truth, did I or did I twist the truth for my own personal gain?

When I had the opportunity to set aside my own wants to meet the needs of someone else, did I or did I put myself first?

This list could go on and on.  None of these things come easily.  Many times, I find myself doing what is right very begrudgingly.  But, afterwards I must confess, it feels mighty good inside and I know I have done the right thing.  The more I overcome my unwillingness to do the right thing, the easier it does become down the road.  But the opposite is also true, the more I talk myself out of doing the right thing, the easier it is to ignore it the next time!

There will be things put before us this week in which we will have to decide what is more important... the cost in money?... our pride? ...our position of power and prestige? ... or hopefully...doing what is good and right...fair and just...loving and honorable.  May God strengthen us to make the right choices each and every day, in big and small matters...with those we love and with those we don’t care for very much... at work, at Church, and at home... in all things!  God bless you!  Have a wonderful celebration of our Lord’s Glorious Resurrection!!
 
Kali Anastasi!  Good Resurrection!  (This is said to people during the days before the celebration of our Lord's Resurrection.)

He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you?
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God.  (Micah 6:8)