REV. DR. FR. RICHARD ANDREWS
Sts. Peter & Paul Greek Orthodox Church
Glenview, IL
“The light of Christ illumines all.”
— St. Gregory Palamas
Saint Gregory Palamas (+1396) was a champion of Hesychasm, the silent prayer, the Prayer of the Heart, the Jesus Prayer. The heart of his defense is that true practitioners of prayer could see the Uncreated Light of God. Our incarnate Lord Jesus Christ, the second Person of the Holy Trinity, told His disciples, “I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows Me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the Light of Life” (John 8:12). Jesus also told them, “You are the light of the world… Let your light so shine before people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).
The Jesus Prayer is as follows: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.” The power of the prayer is witnessed by countless ascetic saints throughout the centuries. Jesus says: “But if your eye is dark, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Matthew 6:23).
Every follower of Christ is called to true prayer and intimate communion with Him. The depth of that intimacy depends on our ability to be a lens through which that Light shines towards other people, especially those in need. IOCC helps us become a lens of light for those who walk in darkness when disaster strikes. The Prophet Isaiah sums it up: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined” (Isaiah 9:2).
