Come Worship the God Who Gives Us Life!

As we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Apostles, we honor those ordinary men whose lives were forever transformed by an extraordinary encounter with Jesus Christ. Having come to know the risen Lord, they left behind everything to proclaim not merely a set of teachings, but a living relationship with the One who is "the way, the truth, and the life." Their witness reminds us that Christianity is far more than a philosophy or a private spirituality; it is an invitation to know, love, and worship the God who gives us life! In a world that often seeks meaning apart from God, the apostles call us back to the source of every blessing and every breath.

I meet so many beautiful people who describe themselves as "spiritual but not religious." Many tell me they value love, compassion, humility, and they search for truth. These are fantastic fun-loving people with noble pursuits. Yet our Christian faith is not simply another spiritual path or a philosophy for self-improvement to follow. Our Orthodox faith is about a relationship with a Person, Jesus Christ! He is the creator of the universe! He is the one who gives us the breath to breathe! He is the one who humbly stepped into our world with the sole purpose of reuniting Himself to us and restoring our original beauty!

You see, Jesus did not say, "I will show you a way." Christ boldly claimed, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). So, from the Orthodox perspective, the goal of life is not merely to become a good person, more loving, peaceful, or enlightened. Even though those are fantastic virtues to possess, our purpose and goal in life is to know God and enter into communion with Him.

Jesus Himself tells us, "And this is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent" (John 17:3). Notice that Christ defines eternal life not as a place we go after death, but as a relationship. Eternal life begins today, now, in the daily journey of knowing, loving, and walking with God.

This relationship naturally leads us to worship. After all, if God is the source of our existence, the giver of every breath, every heartbeat, and every blessing, how can we walk through life without offering Him praise and thanksgiving? It's impossible but many of us do that. We cruise through life without a second thought of the One who gives us this life.

So the Bible reminds us that "in Him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28). Every breath we take is a gift. Every sunrise is a gift. Every moment and movement of life is sustained by God's love and providence. If we truly believe this, how can we receive these gifts day after day and sporadically worship the Giver of life?

You see worship is not something God needs from us. God lacks nothing. Worship is something we need. It reboots, reorients and restores our hearts toward the One from whom all blessings and life flow. It reminds us that we are not self-made or self-sufficient, but beloved children created in God's image, sustained, and called by God.

This is why Christianity cannot be reduced to a private spirituality. Jesus established His Church and calls us into communion not only with Himself but also with one another. The Divine Liturgy is not merely an obligation; it is an invitation to gather before the living God, to offer thanksgiving, to receive His grace, and to engage and participate in His life.

So, as we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Apostles, we are reminded of this truth. These great apostles did not merely admire Jesus from a distance; they did not do their own thing or pursue a private spirituality. They gave their lives to proclaim Him as Lord. Having encountered the risen Christ, they devoted themselves completely to worship, witness, and service. Their lives show us that faith is not simply a personal belief but a beautiful and living relationship with Christ that can transform everything.

Peter, the fisherman, and Paul, the former persecutor, were very different men. Yet both discovered that life's deepest meaning was found in Christ. They understood that every gift, every breath, and every moment belong to God. In response, they offered not only words of praise but their entire lives.

Their witness challenges us today. You see, many of us have filled our calendars with countless commitments and devote ourselves to things that will ultimately pass away, yet often neglect the worship of the One who gave us life itself! If Christ is truly the source of our existence and the hope of our salvation, how can worship ever be treated as an afterthought or optional?

The question is not simply, "How can I become a better person?" The deeper question is, "Who is Jesus Christ, and am I willing to follow Him?" Love, humility, and compassion are not ends in themselves; they are fruits of knowing Christ and participating in His life.

The purpose of life is to know God, to love God, and to be united with God. Everything else finds its meaning in that relationship and way of life. And if every breath we breathe comes from Him, then there is no more fitting response than to come before Him in gratitude, praise, and worship.

As we honor our beloved Holy Apostles, may we follow their example by drawing closer to Christ, participating fully in the life of His Church, and offering thanks to the One who gives us the breath we breathe and the life we live!

Wishing you a blessed feast day!

+Fr. Tom

---

Find more wisdom from Fr. Tom in the Holy Apostles E-bulletin. Subscribe here.