Word for the New Year 1899

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” (2 Cor. 5:17). Today begins a new year, given to us by the grace of the Beginningless Creator. The past year has never happened, it has flown by like a dream. But he is not a dream, but reality, and all our thoughts, desires, intentions, words, deeds, virtues and sins are written down in heaven - and we will have to give an account of everything to the righteous, omniscient Judge. We, intelligent beings, are required to live intelligently; We, created for good deeds, are required to live a virtuous life and avoid evil deeds, thoughts and desires; From us, who have corrupted ourselves by sin, a renewed life is required, with the help of the renewing power of God’s grace. Let us give this life, bear the fruits of truth and renewal to our common Creator, who created us for truth and incorruption. Where is the new life for us entering the new year? Do I have it, do you have it? Isn’t it the same old, sinful life for everyone again? Isn’t it the same inertia, inaction, spiritual laziness, immobility along the path of spiritual success? Alas! we are all old sinners and sinners: for no matter how much we prayed, no matter how much we repented, no matter how much we ate the life-giving Body and Blood of Christ God, we feel in ourselves the same sins, the same passions. However, there is also something good in us, by the grace of God: we have become more careful, more vigilant regarding sin, we have become more aware of its wickedness, the speed of attack, violence, tyranny, its destruction, shame and madness; We have more faith, we have come more into the taste of prayer, we began to appreciate it more, to live by it; learned better the price, beauty and vitality of virtue; began to more often resort to God as the Savior, Comforter, Helper and Almighty Doctor, Intercessor, Refuge of the souls of the oppressed, persecuted by the enemies of salvation. The grace of God undoubtedly does its work in us and resists sin, defeats it, brings us peace and freedom and the consolation of the Holy Spirit. We have experienced within ourselves a fierce and stubborn war of sin, but we also feel the victory of grace over every type of sin that combats us; and we rejoice spiritually in the almighty Conqueror and Destroyer of sin in us, the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, every day, although we fall, we are also renewed spiritually, overcoming the sins that corrupt the soul and putting on the new man, created in righteousness and the honor of truth. This spiritual renewal takes place only in the Church and with her participation; Without the Church, without its mediation and help, no one can be renewed. Only she has been given renewing and saving grace from God. Heretics, schismatics, sectarians can never achieve the grace of renewal and will perish if they do not turn to the Church with repentance. Glory and thanksgiving to the Lord, who renews us through St. Church for every day and hour. So, brothers and sisters, take note of yourself: are you renewed every day by faith, prayer, repentance, self-condemnation and self-correction; Do you become meek, gentle, and friendly to everyone? Are you obedient to the Lord in everything, are you exercising yourself in spiritual and physical labors for the glory of God and for the benefit of yourself and your neighbors? If we do this, then we can sincerely congratulate ourselves on the New Year, because we also greet the coming year with the guarantee of fruitful repentance and Christian virtue. But if we continue to be selfish, lazy, intemperate, evil, crafty, envious, money-loving, stingy, prodigal, foul-mouthed, scolders, hard-hearted, thieves, deceivers, then there is no need for us to deceive ourselves and congratulate ourselves on the New Year: it is and will continue to be an old year if we remain on the old yeast of sin and all sorts of things. vice. So, is it a new year? Is our heart new? Is the spirit new, that is, the spirit of meekness, humility, self-control, truth and holiness? Do we think about heavenly things (Col. 3:2), do we lay down our souls for each other, do we bear each other’s burdens? (Gal. 6:2). Are they merciful, as our heavenly Father is merciful? (Luke 6:36). If so, then truly Happy New Year, I congratulate you and myself. And if not so, then in any case I congratulate myself and all of you on the New Civil, astronomical year, and I wish you to spend it safely, for the glory of God and for our salvation, with good successes in everyday, domestic and social life. Amen. St. rights John of Kronstadt You might be interested in: