DR. PRESVYTERA ATHANASIA KOSTAKIS, DMIN, LMSW
IOCC Frontliner
St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church
New London, CT
Have you ever realized that the commandment to love our neighbor is beyond our abilities? This is what the disciples learn when they fail to heal a possessed boy (Mark 9:17–29). Our Lord teaches them that some acts of love need deeper preparation.
On the fourth Sunday of Lent, the Church connects this gospel reading with St. John Climacus, a saint who wrote on acquiring holiness through humility and ascetical struggle. With this commemoration and gospel, the Church trains us to both love our neighbor in Christ and grow in our ability to share Christ’s love.
Like the disciples in this gospel reading, we know we can’t avoid serving our neighbor until we are holy enough. And yet, the weaknesses and limitations we face while serving our neighbor challenge us to turn to our Lord more fervently in prayer and fasting.
IOCC’s US Action Teams give us an opportunity to enter this tension. Participants are trained to serve communities with dignity and humility during some of the most difficult points of their lives.
To love our neighbor well, we need continuous ascetical work and preparation. This will help us respond to our neighbor’s needs effectively as faithful servants of the Lord.
