Learning How to Talk by Fr. Nicholas Andruchow (p
This summer, we are preparing to receive over 700 missionaries who will serve in Tijuana. The continuing courage and zeal that the Orthodox demonstrate from America are not just encouraging but inspiring. All those who come will receive a lesson in life: how good we have it in America and how God is calling us to share the goods we have.
This summer’s Homebuilding theme is “Learning from on high”. We are challenging all the summer participants to look up to God and be taught. Jesus is the ultimate “Maestro” (Maestro is word for teacher in Spanish) and through the sacrifice of helping the suffering at the border, we are all enlightened.
Beginning to Pray
Bishop Anthony Bloom writes in his book “Beginning to Pray” that we all need to be aware that God does not always talk back we when cry out to Him. Despite this fact, we all still need to talk to God. Therefore, ask Him for help. Tell Him you are grateful for what you have. Tell Him you are sorry for the mistakes you have made. This is where we must start. Learn to talk to God!
Finish every day with a conversation with Jesus. Here on the 16-acre ranch where you will stay when building a home for a family in need, you will have 15 minutes of quiet time with God each morning. Here, you will look up to the heavens and the Lord will teach you, and the unexpected will happen. He will bless you with a fresh perspective of what is really important, which is our relationship with Him.
The End Result
Ultimately, we want our relationship with Jesus to grow. I recently read that we should desire to want to spend all our time with God. We should get excited about talking about Him and when we think of Him, we should be filled with joy and excitement. Recently I became a grandfather. It is a truly blessing and it gave me a wider perspective of how I should love Jesus. I love talking about my grandson, when I think about him, I get excited and I can’t wait to see him again.
This is how it should be with Jesus. So let us be proactive and look to the heavens to learn how to love God. We invite you to come to Mexico and the lessons from on high will open your eyes and you will speak sweet words to the One we love, the Lord Jesus.