Saint Sophia Jr. GOYA & GOYA |
Jr. Goya, 6th through 8th grade students, and Sr. Goya, high school age youth, support our young people as they continue to learn about the Orthodox faith and especially apply its teachings to their lives. We pray that the Goyans work to live a life centered around Christ, developing their relationship with Christ and each other. We try to enhance their spiritual growth with discussion about our Church and how to use the Church to guide and strengthen them in their faith when facing everyday life situations. There are also times for service, social, and recreational activities.
The Jr. and Sr. Goyans will meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month at 7p.m. There is time to discuss many different spiritual topics with Fr. Andrew, as well as with the advisors and each other. All youth between 6th and 12th grades are encouraged to be a part of this ministry.
Watch for News
Watch Your Mouth! by Fr. Anastasios P. Bourantas
Imagine throwing a handful of confetti into the air on a windy day, and then trying to catch each piece a little later. Once it is released, it is gone, and nothing can recover it. That's how impossible it is to take back what has been said.
In the epistle of St. James, we read that "the tongue is fire" and "with it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the likeness of God." (James 3:6,9) What a powerful role our tongue plays in our lives. It can be used to our benefit or to our eternal demise. It can result in soothing, comforting words or fierce daggers that rip into the heart of our neighbor. "The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit." (Prov. 15:4)
Now, why do people curse? Why do they use obscene or foul language? Is it because they feel it makes them tough, or cool, or even funny? Is it a habit? Or is it that their vocabulary and speaking skills are underdeveloped and lack the ability to properly express their literal ideas and opinions that are worthy of Christian behavior. Cursing may be a common occurrence in our schools, workplace, or even in our own homes. It is so customary that we as Christians are no longer affected by the use of this offensive voice and crude words, that we, ourselves, have made it a habit in our own lives. Matthew reminds us in his gospel, "that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word that they have spoken." (Mt. 12:36) Cursing may not seem like it is a `big deal', but it is harmful to our souls, to our minds, and to our hearts, every time we hear it or use it. It is like termites that slowly but surely eat away at a building from the inside and culminate to its destruction. Lewd and offensive language, in the same manner, can also eat away at our righteous morals and dignity that sustain our names as Christians.
Is it a "little white lie" or complete deception? Whenever we are backed up against a wall, or become angry and defensive we sometimes lie, or we just falsify our words to cover up a past exaggeration of reality. Whatever it is called or for whichever reason it is said, IT IS LYING! In the early Christian writing of "The Shepherd" of Hermas we are instructed to "love truth" and to "let your mouth speak nothing but the truth and uplifting words to each other. In the Lord there is no falsehood. Liars...wound the Lord." Lying begets many consequences that can only be stopped with truth.
During this season of Great Lent, we are reminded in the Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts to "set a guard over my mouth, O Lord, keep watch over the door of my lips!" (Psalm 141:3) God demands honesty and integrity from His people, who are proclaiming the message of salvation through their words, and not the uttered message of permanent damnation. If we lie, or curse, or speak badly about our brother and sister, we must consider that it is wrong and improper treatment towards God and even to our society. We must change so that we may be regarded as trustworthy individuals, who uphold virtues of decency and Christian morality. Let us take the fitting advice of St. John Chrysostom, especially during our preparation of our Lord and Savior's resurrection. "And so I desire to fix three precepts in your mind so that you may accomplish them during the fast: to speak ill of no one, to hold no one for an enemy, and to expel from your mouth altogether the evil habit of swearing."
10 ways to make Jesus more spiritually fulfilling.........
1. Read the Bible. Contact your local priest for a list of daily Bible readings.
2. Read a spiritual book.
3. Attend a church service during the week.
4. Almsgiving. Give or help someone less fortunate.
5. Turn off the T.V. You'll be surprised at how much more free time you'll have on your hands to praise God.
6. Turn off the radio, especially while driving in your car. Pop in some liturgical music instead. Try some Byzantine chant, EIKONA `s O Gladsome Light or the Liturgical Hymns of Praise by Orthodox Youth.
7. Choose one bad habit that you will focus on improving and/or changing.
8. Attend a retreat or lecture.
9. Fast not only from foods, but other passions as well.
10. Pray more.