Navigating the Storm By Metropolitan Saba (Isper)

Our Holy Fathers have often compared the Church to a ship sailing on the salty sea
of this world. By the “salty sea,” they indicate the storms, waves, and winds that hit
and attack this ship. The Church of Christ constantly faces all kinds of wars waged
by demons because Satan does not want to see it strong and growing—destroying
his power in this world and saving the souls of many whom he wants to destroy. As
for the Lord of the Church, He often allows turmoil and persecution in order to
discipline His faithful children and purify His Church.

Loud is the voice of those who view and consider the Church as an institution of this
age rather than the living Body of Christ, composed of believers seeking to sanctify
their lives. We may find some who sow doubts and spread unreliable opinions and
teachings with their unsubstantiated words, which strengthen the spirit of division
and attack and stir the soul with anger and hatred. In this way, the fires of doubt are
fueled, and the spirit of discord and division is sown.

In times of distress and turmoil, devout believers resort to prayer for divine mercy,
enlightened minds, and calm hearts, so that their actions will lead to solutions that
please the true God and save the Church—its people and institutions—from what
the sins of believers themselves (first and foremost) are causing. Indeed, the Apostle
Paul described the dangers of the Church as “wars without and fears within”
(2 Cor 7:5).

Don’t let the stumbling blocks trip you up; they have always been there. The Church
is a community of “repentant people,” and repentant people are sinners, not angels.
Stumbling blocks have always been the result of the sins of Church members before
anyone else. Look up to Christ and imitate Him; pray for your spiritual fathers, that
God will inspire them to do what is good for His Church and, therefore, for you; and
help them to do so.
I encourage you to pray, turning to God and asking for His light and inspiration. Rest
assured that inasmuch as you purify yourselves, the Church will be purified. Do not
separate yourselves from it—the Church is you, and you are the Church.
St. John of Kronstadt teaches us that “prayer is an expression of the unity of the
Church. By praying for each other, we participate in each other’s lives and share in
each other’s burdens.”

My beloved, the Church can only be built with a spirit of prayer, peace, wisdom, and
patience. Whoever seeks to make the Church a bride of Christ, without blemish or
wrinkle, must be patient, peaceful, humble, and wise, knowing how to think and
plan, and willing to be nailed to the cross. My hope is that you will have these
qualifications whenever you discuss ecclesiastical and spiritual issues. This is how
you will invoke the Lord’s grace and blessings on you and the Church.
I encourage you to love, to pray, and to dialogue constructively, and I ask for your
prayers.