A stringed instrument reminds us of the proper harmonious relationship that should exist within the congregation among the Bishop, Priests, Deacons, and all the people (laity). In your particular parish, do your part to nurture a spirit of unity by making sure your string is in tune. In other words, make sure you maintain the right attitude that contributes to order instead of chaos. Love your Bishop. Love your Priest. Love your Deacon. Love your bothers and sisters in Christ.
Be humbly obedient to the Bishop and Priest in your heart, thought, and action as a son or daughter to a father. When you practice real inner obedience, you do so because of a sincere desire to be freely obedient with joy, even if you dislike the instructions or disagree with the reason behind them. True spiritual obedience leads to peace and positive action that flows from a positive attitude.
Since parishes are made up of different kinds of people with different backgrounds, expectations, and opinions who have varying degrees of awareness of their own spiritual sickness, relational friction sometimes develops. Repent of your own sins instead of judging others. If you have not been given the responsibility of dealing with other people’s imperfections, evaluating other people’s contributions to the Church, or policing other people’s actions, don’t take that burden upon yourself. Avoid controversies that trouble your mind and heart unnecessarily. If someone tries to pull you into conflict, do not take the bait. A string should not be tuned to another sting that is out of tune, but to one that is rightly tuned.
Worship God with love and thanksgiving for all that He has given you. Carry out your work in the parish as an offering to God. Be at peace. Forgive others. Pray for everyone. Remain silent or be an ambassador for peace. Receive correction from the Bishop and Priest humbly. Remain teachable. Be attentive to your salvation.
When a parish functions like the harmonious strings of an instrument, a beautiful, prayerful, reverent atmosphere is created and maintained in the church temple and among the people. You cannot force other strings to be in tune, but you can ensure that your string is perfectly tuned as an example to others. Be mercifully lenient with others and keep adjusting yourself through repentance that you might, through Grace, attain a more perfect pitch.
Read: Titus 2.1-15; 1 Timothy 4.1-16; 2 Timothy 4.1-8; Ephesians 4.1-16
Text copyright © 2018 by Fr. Symeon D. S. Kees