Orthodox Harlemite

We humans take in many things for sustenance. We have a variety of drinks to choose from (water, milk, juices, etc.), and the different types of food in the world seem almost endless. Nevertheless, out of everything we consume and take into our bodies, it is all touched by death. From the moment we uproot plants from the ground, they’re dying. When it comes to “slaughtering” animals, the descriptive term speaks for itself. Even water, with all of its life-giving qualities, becomes a danger if left still for too long. It is very apparent that our lives are surrounded and touched by death everywhere we turn. One is almost hard-pressed to see anything but irony in our having to live through the death of some other thing. But is this really the case?

Up until this morning I would probably only answer “yes”. But then I remembered something wonderful. Our Lord Jesus said: “I am the living Bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this Bread, he shall live for ever: and the Bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world” (John 6:51). Then there is what He said to Samaritan woman at the well (St. Photini, as she is known in the Orthodox world): “…Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:13-14).

Call me silly or nit picky if you like, but I was relieved to be reminded that though we live in a world surrounded by death on every side, to the point of our having to use it to continue to live, our Lord provided and provides true life for us through both the Holy Spirit, and through His flesh every liturgy with the Eucharist. How it happens exactly is beyond this sinner’s capability of explaining. Nevertheless, it does.

I can’t help but wonder if St. Athanasius said something on this…

God bless.