Shroro

The Syriac Orthodox Christian Digest - February, 2005

Spiritual Illness and the Fruits of Death

by Mike Wingert

During the middle of last month (January, 2005), a Coptic Orthodox Christian family was tortured and murdered in their home in Jersey City, New Jersey (USA). Investigators believe the motivations for this incident goes back to religious disagreements the husband had with Muslims. Whether this was the motivating factor in the vicious executions or not, the perpetrator(s) were stirred enough to slaughter four human beings—three of them being women.

Tragic as this event was, it is nothing new to the Oriental Orthodox Christian community. The struggles the Christians in Iraq are facing today, and faced during the Sayfo* of yesteryear are reincarnations of past trials of violence our community has endured. How easy it would be to focus anger, aggression, or even hate back upon the perpetrating groups or individuals. No matter which group or individual persecutes another, there is an underlying root of each of these problems. It is a sickness of the spirit itself.

God created mankind in a state of innocence. Over time, we acquire knowledge and perceptions about the world that shape our souls and bodies. The way we develop has a direct impact on the state of our spirit, and for many, illness is acquired. When we are harmed, our pride responds first. We think, ‘how can one do this to me?’ and we have it in our minds to strike back. Even still, we must keep the proper perspective, remembering that the perpetrators are spiritually sick.

When we encounter the ill and infirm, we get them to a doctor so that they may be treated. It is their illness we combat, not the people themselves. So it is the same with spiritual sickness. We must treat the illness itself, which will decay the body and the soul.

Consider strife. Most conflict in this world is petty. Individuals raise arguments against one another over reasons that ultimately don't matter. There are people who engage in debate and power struggles, sometimes over religion, other times over philosphy and politics, yet in the end, what really matters? All this time we spend focused on issues other than God is time we focus on Satan. This is why we refer to Satan as "the deceiver," for his ways are cunning and deceptive. Our time needs to be focused on joining ourselves to God, through His yihidoyo bro, that we too may become children of God in this transitory world.

What then are the solutions? Sometimes we are so focused on having been wronged, we try to impose worldly solutions on issues that only matter spiritually. How simple Christianity is! Our solution is God's mercy by His loving kindness. If we let His mercy touch our hearts, we will begin to emulate Christ who is the incarnation of mercy. Murder, strife, and discord must be fought by love. In the end, it isn't about other people, it is about each of us as individuals and our relationship in deep communion with Christ.