Ukrainian Orthodoxy		Orthodoxie ukrainienne

Let No One Despise You

Very Reverend Ihor Kutash kutash@unicorne.org

(Thirty second Sunday after Pentecost: Zacchaeus' Sunday)

In today's Epistle (1 Timothy 4:9-15) the Apostle Paul gives this exhortation to his young disciple Timothy: "Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."

There are good words here for us, too. All we need do is insert words that apply to our own situation. Instead of "your youth" we can say: "your age", or "sex", or "social status", or "nationality", or "race", or "physical handicap", or anything else that might be considered a reason for other people to take us lightly.

Every human being in this world comes from God. Each one was placed here at this very time in this very place in accordance with God's perfect plan. Everyone has a role to play. Every one has special gifts and a unique opportunity to use them for the good of others. This is true of everyone in general. It ought to be a particular concern for Christians, whose theistic faith includes all the above propositions. Our vision of God is that He is not only Creator and Sustainer, but also Saviour and Redeemer. Thus He is intimately involved in every detail of His on-going creation. Jesus said: "My Father is working still and I am working" (John 5:17).

God has included us in His plan as His co-workers. This is exciting! We are working together with God for the redemption and salvation of this planet! It is also a responsibility. No one ought to take any one lightly. Nor ought we to take our lives lightly. They have meaning - a profound, lasting meaning. We need to be wise, alert and diligent. We must not be lazy or apathetic. God and the world are counting on us to do our part.

Some may protest: "But I am not skilled in theology". That has little to do with the matter. What is required is that we strive to set "an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity". These are all things that are accessible to us. We can (although it will require concerted and persistent attention) watch what we say and do, so that it will not be harmful - but useful - to others. The same would apply to the things that we do. We can try to love and be loving. We can exercise faith and trust. We can strive for purity, that is singleness of purpose, consistency and perfection in all we do.

When we fail - as we are bound to do at different times in varying degrees - we can still be an example, as King David was. We can be an example of repentance. We can show that it is possible to say: "I am sorry. I was wrong. Please forgive me." And we can forgive. We can forgive ourselves for not being what we want to at this time. We can forgive others, too.

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