Dear Friends,

Over the last week news reports have been focused on the economic crisis facing our nation. It seems like there is very little good news in this area. There are, of course, feelings of great discouragement as people see the value of their investments plummeting, banks failing, more and more home foreclosures, etc. The pessimism and uncertainty regarding the US economy is also having its adverse effect on overseas economies.

In this time of financial confusion we look to one or another candidate to solve the problem or we put our hope in congress that something can be done to pull us through this great crisis. We certainly cannot ignore this crisis as we see greater numbers of unemployed and a continuous rise in the number of homeless brothers and sisters.

As Christians how are we to make sense of all this? First of all, we need to recognize that our economy has become the victim of the sin of greed. There’s no other way to explain it. Behold how this sin like all the other sins begins on the individual level, yet if left unchecked easily snowballs and causes ruin in society. In other words the greed and corruption of a relatively few individuals has reeked havoc on our economy and has resulted in yet to be described hardship for citizens of our nation.

Secondly, as believers in Christ, in the face of such challenges we are called to once again focus on the treasures of our holy faith, which neither “thief approaches nor moth destroys. “ Last week I spoke about Holy Muron, which is an example of an aspect of our Tradition, which is spiritually priceless and whose value is not determined by the stock or housing market. Indeed, all of the sacraments are such that they nourish us even in the most difficult moments of our lives and they are always freely given. Regardless of the financial climate Holy Communion continues to be the most precious Body and Blood of Jesus our Lord, which is gifted to us for the forgiveness of sins, for spiritual nourishment and for eternal life.

Finally, this is a perfect opportunity to instead of despairing, embrace more fully the virtues of Faith, Hope and Love. These God-pleasing virtues have the power to transform our lives; so that we can weather every storm, which comes our way.

Today’s scripture from St. Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians encourages us to repent, grow in our faith and experience inner peace: “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are holding to your faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you? – unless indeed you fail to meet the test! I hope that you find out that we have not failed….For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth…Mend your ways, heed my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.”

+ + + + +

With prayers.
Hayr Simeon
October 5, 2008