Stop Wondering

I’ve been Orthodox Christian my entire life. For me, there was never a moment I doubted God. That being said, it never ceases to amaze me just how many people witness His power and grace but refuse to believe. They choose wonder rather than glory. I don’t get it.

At that time, Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee. And he went up on the mountain, and sat down there. And great crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the maimed, the blind, the dumb, and many others, and they put them at Jesus’ feet, and he healed them, so that the throng wondered, when they saw the dumb speaking, the maimed whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.

Matthew 15.29-31

The same crowd that witnessed Christ heal “great crowds” would turn on Him and demand His death. The same crowd that watched the lame walk, rather than remain loyal to God, chose to walk away from Him at the Cross. I don’t get it.

Even today with our advanced technology, the entire world can witness the ANNUAL miracle of the Holy Fire in Jerusalem. Still, many refuse to believe in God. Even more would rather remain outside the Church as Protestants rather than entire the Church. I don’t get it.

I understand temptation. We all do including Christ Who was tempted beyond human understanding. The only thing I can figure is that Christ is hiding Himself from some, so that others may find their way into the Church.

What else could explain witnessing the power of God and still rejecting it? Either all out rebellion, or divine action. In either situation, it is beyond us to convince others. We are called to believe and allow others to see our faith.

So……that means if others continue to reject God, maybe….just maybe…..WE are the problem. WE are the ones not living as if we believe. WE are the ones who call ourselves Christians but refuse to love. WE are the ones who have forgotten the first part of today’s reading.

The crowds brought people to Christ for healing. We spend all our time ignoring others. We don’t bother to invite anyone to Church with us. We ‘keep to ourselves’ in the name of keeping the peace, and then we wonder. Maybe we should stop wondering and glorify God.