Father James Dokos

Ask Father Jim

QUESTION:
Why is it that for years and years we somehow are supposed to convince our people that they need the Church? When will people finally realize our days are so short and we must rejoice in what we have?  (Angie)
ANSWER:
First, I have seen as a Parish Priest many people FINALLY realizing the significance and sacredness of the Church…usually when near death or when a tragedy occurs.  Our society has taught us that the Church must entertain us and keep us happy. This is just what the devil loves.  DO NOT BE FOOLED BY THE EVIL ONE!  Days, months, years pass and many Orthodox Christians take the Church for granted.  We say the Church was built by our family…we worked hard for the church…we put this community on the map…All true but we didn’t mention JESUS CHRIST/THE SACRAMENTS/OUR THEOLOGY/THE CHURCH FATHERS.  It is WE and not our Church Life that is expouned upon.  A grave danger indeed!
We will succeed only when we PROCLAIM and live the Life of Jesus Christ.  We need not convince our brethren about Orthodoxy…We need to show them the living example within all our parishes.  Respect, love, repentance and obedience to the Church is our fulfillment.

QUESTION:
I always thought the Church belonged to the people. If we want to bury, baptize or marry it’s our right as Orthodox Christians and I feel the Church is there to serve not dictate. Why all these rules for marriage preparation, Church regulations for membership and all the rest? Let’s all go to Church and be saved. (A.S.)
ANSWER:
The Church is present in this world to embrace God’s children and to teach and share the Mysteries of the Church with them. We gather at the Church to remember Our Lord, the Holy Theotokos, the Saints, the Martyrs and all God’s People. We just can’t walk in and do whatever.
St. Paul instructs us on “good order” and we strive within the Church to DEFEND, EMBRACE, PROTECT and SHARE all that has been given to us.
Do we just walk into a home and do what we want? Of course not! Do we demand of others without reason? Of course not! Do we see ourselves as so righteous and so deserving that we can demand of the Church? Of course not!
All that is done in our Holy Church is for the worship of our God and for the uplifting of His people. Let us be grateful that the Church wishes to prepare our people for a spiritual life-time marriage, that the Church embraces Her membership with good order for all Her Stewards and that the Church upholds the TRUTH and TRADITION handed down to us today from the time of the Apostles.
Yes; let’s all go to Church to worship and maybe realize our Salvation at Judgment.

QUESTION:
Daily I strive to be a truthful person and faithful to my Church and my God. It just seems I’m always having difficulties and conflicts.  Some good advice please!  (Confused)
ANSWER:
Here you go!
BE CAREFUL
Be careful of your thoughts
For your thoughts become your words.
Be careful of your words
For your words become your actions.
Be careful of your actions
For your actions become your habits.
Be careful of your habits
For your habits become your character.
Be careful of your character
For your character becomes your destiny.