Let us go forth and gaze into the graves, for man is naked bones, food for the worms, and stench. Only then will we learn of what are true riches, and comeliness, beauty, and strength!

Why does that verse from the funeral service hit so hard those who hear it? Because it is a pure does of truth that so many in the world, especially living in our material driven society, do not want to admit: The desire to gain money, power, and wealth, those things which the world holds so dear, are meaningless to the existence of mankind.

Learning to reject this weak material existence that plagues 21st century mankind, and to draw closer to God through the Church, the partaking of the sacraments, by coming into communion with each other…and by deep and contemplative prayer; this is how we come to know God, and be guided through this temporal life.

He was born in the midst of beasts, so that we might turn from beasts who instinctively follow their passions, into rational and deified human beings. But perhaps the most stirring of all, He was born in that lowly place knowing the fate that awaited Him at Golgotha. Our Lord knew that He was to lead a life of perpetual humiliation, one that was climaxed when the human race who He came to save, betrayed Him and nailed Him to the cross. What more could we possibly ask from a humble savior, Who was willing to come so far, and endure so much, out of his love for mankind?

St. Paul in his epistle to the Corinthians says: “Behold NOW is the accepted time; behold NOW is the day of salvation!” Not tomorrow…not when I have time…right now. This Divine Liturgy…listening to THIS Gospel Text…reflecting on THIS moment…because for some of us, there might not be a tomorrow.

….Not only do we have the ability to taste food, see the sky, smell the flowers, and feel the grass beneath our feet, but God has also given us a brain to think and to judge with. We were given a conscience to decipher what is right and wrong. We were given the riches of freedom to choose good or evil. We were given wealth through the Holy Scripture and the church, to illuminate our paths so that we don’t get lost!