“Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by a Son….Therefore we must pay greater attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it” (Hebrews 1:1, 2:1).
The letter to the Hebrews was written by a Jewish Christian who wanted his fellow Jews to return to Jesus as the Christ and to keep them from falling away. It was written sometime before the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D. and after 64 A.D., the persecution of the Christians under Nero. One might imagine given the close-knit family ties of the Hebrews, that converts to Jesus Christ were pressured to give up their newfound faith and return to Judaism.
The writer is comparing the Old Testament prophets with Christ. God spoke many times in different ways through the prophets; however, He spoke uniquely through His only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ. The warning: Don’t go backwards. Do not fall into the old ways, now that the Holy Spirit has initiated you into the life in Christ through baptism. You have a new life in Christ; don’t drift away from it. Hold fast to the grace that has been given to you. Pay attention to the reward that came your way by means of the life, death and resurrection of God’s special Son.
Many Orthodox Christians come from ethnic backgrounds nearly as cohesive as the Hebrews. They were baptized into Christ, but often they also drifted away from the Church, the faith of their parents, and the zeal of the Holy Spirit, if they had ever felt it. How might we win them back? There’s not one formula that applies to all.
Some just never were part of the living Church. They went with their parents because they were taken, but when they were no longer compelled, they stopped attending. We would have to convert them to their own faith, like drawing a map to the home where they had been born. How much easier it would be to convert them to a wholly new religion—which is often what happens.
Others had a negative experience: They didn’t bond with the priest, they heard about parish meetings resulting in arguments among those who called themselves brothers and sisters in Christ, or they felt the services too long and ceremonial.
I know of those whose life style changed so radically that their weekends became filled with wild parties, lewd music and vulgar behavior. The Church reminds them of who they really are in the eyes of God. It’s not that they lost their faith—indeed, they believe in the Lord and know where they stand in His eyes. If they were hypocrites, they could deceive themselves into pretending that they can hold the two life styles in balance.
You may have met some of the multitude of (fill in the nationality) “Orthodox” for whom the national identity IS the Church. What happens two hours before the Coffee Hour is window dressing for old women and a certain type of male who is into such things. It has nothing to do with them, other than being rituals surrounding the life cycle—ceremonies to enhance birth, marriage and death.
Now that we have come of age in America, the Church is searching for ways to expand. Going, going, nearly gone are the cluster parishes built by and for Old World immigrants of like backgrounds. We are now about evangelism and mission. We define our purpose by the last paragraph of the first gospel: “Go forth. Teach, preach, and baptize….” Whole groups are entering the Orthodox Church and accept the true faith by baptism and/or Chrismation. This is indeed exciting. It warms our souls and affirms our commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
But what about those left behind? How can we reach within our families and find the key to open the hearts of those who sit on their hands when others make the sign of the Cross? What would convince those who stand with arms folded at funerals, make themselves useful by flashing their cameras at baptisms as an excuse not to pray, or disappear when the priest comes to call? They too are God’s children, even though they mock, us, ignore us, or resent us. Here is a challenge worthy of our attention.