Stand in front of God

You may not know that I have two ruptured discs in my back and a ‘bit’ of arthritis in my knee. I know how difficult it can be to stand for services in the Church. I know how difficult it can be to concentrate on the words of Liturgy when you’re in pain. Nonetheless, the Church encourages us to stand in front of God.

The ‘proper’ position of worship is standing. Sometimes we sit for the sermon or announcements by the priest, but for the most part, we stand. Well, at least we used to stand. Prior to arriving in the New World, Orthodox Church had very few seats, save a few for the elderly or those who were sick. Arriving on the shores of America, ‘seeing’ our western Christian brothers and sisters sitting, and want to ‘fit in’ as best we could, our Church began to install seats.

Let me say that it doesn’t make you less holy if you sit. If you must sit, then by all means sit, but don’t stop being engaged in worship. A wise and elderly priest once described ‘having Orthodox legs’ to help me understand that eventually I would learn to stand, because I could stand.

There is a big difference between can stand, and don’t want to stand. In our preoccupation with always being comfortable, and our lack of attention span, the slightest discomfort just cannot be tolerated. Most of hear stories about holy elders and saints standing for hours, and we refuse to believe them. The stories must be folklore.

Today is the commemoration of Saint Daniel the Stylite of Constantinople. Inspired by the life of Saint Symeon the Stylite, he spent the last years of his life living on a pillar. He was known to stand on the pillar in all sorts of weather. His devotion to God inspired Emperors and faithful to live devoted to God.

Just think, we can’t find the stamina to stand for a couple hours for church services away from bad weather. The idea of living in such extreme physical conditions ‘just because’ you wanted to offer your entire body to God seems unbelievable. There is historic evidence that such saints did exist and they should inspire us today.

You don’t have to go out and find a pillar to live on. Start by standing during services. This will seem strange at first, and some will ‘look at you’ like you are weird. If you live in a parish where most people sit, then find a spot in the back so you are not a distraction. The idea is to stand in front of God, not be the center of attention.

Timothy, my son, in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and earthenware, and some for noble use, some for ignoble. If any one purifies himself from what is ignoble, then he will be a vessel for noble use, consecrated and useful to the master of the house, ready for any good work. So shun youthful passions and aim at righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call upon the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with stupid, senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to every one, an apt teacher, forbearing, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth, and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. 2^nd

Timothy 2.20-26

In today’s reading from Saint Paul, we are encouraged to purify ourselves for noble use. Our bodies have become tools for sin. When we come to church services, we are not just coming to ‘hear a good sermon’ but to offer ourselves to God for His use.

He is our King. He is our Master. He is our Father. The least we could do is stand in front of Him. You may be surprised how ‘easy’ it becomes once you commit to it. Again, if you MUST sit then by all means, sit. But if you CAN stand, be inspired by the Stylite Saints, and stand in front of God. Unless of course, we are kneeling in front of God. Then, kneel.