Why Are We Never Satisfied with What We Have?
Why do we often find ourselves longing for more? Whether it is our homes, our families, our jobs, or even the weather, we seem unable to rest in contentment.
Perhaps this yearning is a reflection of our exile from paradise. Humanity was created for communion with God, but through the Fall, we lost that perfect union. The Holy Fathers teach that this separation leaves an ache within our souls—a longing for the Kingdom of Heaven that nothing in this world can satisfy.
Yet, Christ calls us to lift our eyes from what we lack to the blessings we have. St. Paul writes: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Many of us are blessed with safety, homes, food, and loved ones. These are gifts from God. But we must never forget our brothers and sisters in Christ who endure unimaginable suffering, especially in Gaza and throughout the Middle East.
Our Christian brethren in these lands—the cradle of our faith—bear heavy crosses. In Gaza, they are surrounded by destruction, facing loss of homes, communities, and loved ones. Many have no safety, no food, no hope for their children. In other parts of the Middle East, Christians are persecuted, displaced, and forced to live as strangers in their own homelands.
St. John Chrysostom reminds us: “Do you wish to honor the body of Christ? Do not ignore Him when He is naked. Do not pay Him homage in the temple clad in silk only to neglect Him outside where He is cold and ill-clad.” To serve Christ, we must serve those who suffer, for He tells us: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these My brethren, you did for Me” (Matthew 25:40).
The Holy Fathers teach that generosity is transformative—not only for those who receive but also for those who give. St. Basil the Great writes: “The bread in your cupboard belongs to the hungry; the coat unused in your closet belongs to the one who needs it; the gold you have hidden in the ground belongs to the poor.” As Orthodox Christians, we are called to be the light of Christ in a darkened world. Let us rise to this holy calling, helping our suffering brethren in Gaza and the Middle East. Let us offer our prayers, our aid, and our love to those who need it most.
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