Christ Empowers Us

Only Christ Will Empower Us to Face What is Coming

Some time ago I was listening to one of the last songs recorded by Johnny Cash, probably the best country western singer of all time. The line in his song, “put me in my box on the 309”, is coming from a man who was facing his own imminent death. With the loss of his beloved wife, June Carter Cash still heavy on his heart, Johnny was ready to go to God.

At seventy-six, I’m more aware than ever of my own mortality. I’m not afraid of death but find myself concerned about the monastery and want it to prosper beyond my life. I believe with all my heart that this place was built by God, working one miracle after another to make it happen, but like a mother who’s given birth to her child and wanting the best for him, I’m not in a hurry to leave this life. I want this monastery to be on safe footing and with enough young monks to continue into the next generation before they put my box on the 309.

Like Johnny Cash in his last album, I find myself driven by a desire to share in words my life experience and help today’s young people realize the importance of making God central in their lives. We live in an age where many are living in a constant state of listlessness, not caring or being concerned about their spiritual condition, or that of the world. Having given themselves over to leisure pursuits and entertainment, they’ve become unable to be attentive to that which is of eternal importance. As our world moves closer to famine and governmental meltdown, we need to build on the foundation of Christ, for only in Christ will we be empowered to face what is coming.

History is filled with times like ours and the spiritually fit were the ones who came through those difficult times, and prospered. The spiritually fit can triumph over anything, so I continue trying to encourage this new generation of young people. You young people have many challenges before you, but you also have the prayerful support of monks everywhere, and the love and respect of people of my generation. With God’s help we will triumph, so  we must not neglect the needs of our soul.

With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon

About the author

Fr. Tryphon is the Abbot of the Monastery of the All-Merciful Saviour, which was established in 1986 by Archimandrite Dimitry (Egoroff) of blessed memory. The Monastery is under the omophore of His Eminence Kyrill, Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America, of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.

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1 thought on “Christ Empowers Us”

  1. Dominic Campos

    Thank you Abbot Tryphon, I appreciate your short articles throughout the week. As a young man, I’m encouraged by those who have been walking longer on this earth with Christ and care for those of us who are making are first steps as Orthodox Christians.

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