Tag Archives: Will of God

Human Logic and the Will of God for Childbearing

Oftentimes couples express to me their insecurity regarding the topic of childbearing, and they ask my opinion. Some only want one or two children, while others want to have many. It would, however, be to their advantage to leave the issue of childbearing to God—to entrust their lives to divine providence and not try to implement their own plan. They must have faith that God, Who cares for the birds of the air, will care much more for their children. There was once a sailor who married at eighteen years old. He was poor, and so was the girl he married. They rented a basement to live in. The girl also found a little work. In this way they lived quite sparingly. Just imagine it: for a table they used a leftover crate from some peaches they once bought. Later they began having children, living very frugally in order to raise them. And yet, little by little, they became prosperous homeowners. Read more →

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Difficulties in Childbearing

—Geronta, if a woman is not Orthodox, and if she is not able to conceive a child, is it alright for her to wear the belt we have blessed on the holy relics of St. Arsenios? [1]

—Does she believe in the power of the Saint or does she think that it will help in some magical way? If she believes in the Saint, it’s alright for her to wear it.

For some women who aren’t able to conceive children, the spiritual laws are at work, because they didn’t start families when they should have. They become very picky, “No, he has this problem and the other guy has these problems.” So, they make a promise to someone; but then they see someone else, so later they say “no” to the one to whom they had originally made a promise–and he, instead of seeing it as a blessing that she left him, goes and commits suicide. Eh, what kind of family is a woman like this going to make? Other women aren’t able to have children because in their younger years they lived a wild life. Then others are troubled by their diet. Many foods contain lots of drugs and hormones. Read more →

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Choosing a Profession

—Geronta, some parents try to steer their children towards their own professions, and often get very pushy at it.

—No, they don’t manage well. Parents shouldn’t pressure their children unwillingly to do that which they enjoy themselves. I knew one young man who wanted to study theology and become a priest, but his mother wouldn’t let him; she forced him to go into medicine. The young man had studied Byzantine music and chanted; had made his own musical instrument; had learned the tones on his own; and knew the music by heart. He had a gift. He wrote troparia and services. As soon as he finished high school he took the entrance exams and got into Theological School. His mother suffered nervous shock from her anxiety. She would come to me later and beg me: “Pray for me to get well, Father, and I’ll let my child do whatever he wants.” When she got well she again refused to let him do what he wanted. Later he abandoned it all and finally wasted away. Read more →

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Let Us Help the Youth to Follow their Calling

The Good God created man free. He is nobly unimposing. He respects man’s freedom, freely leaving each person to follow that path which brings him or her comfort. He does not force everyone stand in the same line with military discipline. For that reason, we should leave youths to themselves, without restraint, in the spiritual realm of their God-given freedom. They are not helped by constant questioning about which life[—i.e., married or monastic]—they will follow. This is a topic in which they should not be influenced by anyone. Each person has his or her calling.

Again, the parents, the Spiritual fathers, the educators, should help youths to choose whichever life is most suitable for them, and to follow that path to which they are truly called, without influencing or hindering their calling. Their choice should be their own. The rest of us should only express our humble opinions. Our only right is to help these souls find their path. Read more →

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Both the Married and Celibate Life are Blessed

Geronta, what should someone answer to young children who ask if the monastic life is higher than the married life?

First, help them to understand what is man’s destiny and the meaning of life. Next, explain that the Church blesses both of these paths, because both are able to lead them to Paradise if they live according to God’s will. Let’s say that two people set out on a pilgrimage. The first goes by bus, while the other goes on foot; but they both have the same destination. God rejoices in the first just as he is amazed by the second. What’s bad is when the one who goes by footpath judges the one who goes by bus, or vice versa.

It’s good for youth who think about monasticism to know that the monk’s vocation is very great: it is to become an Angel. Christ told the Sadducees that in the next life, in Heaven, we will live as Angels. [1] For this reason many youth—those with much philotimo [2]—become monastics and begin the angelic life in this life. Read more →

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