As I listen to people’s frustrations and challenges, I usually hear a statement about being ready to surrender or how they feel all alone in the midst of their current challenge. And I too at times when my load seems a bit unbearable, I easily forget others with my tunnel vision and focus on negatives and things I don’t have, or I can only see the weight of the burden I have selfishly laid upon my shoulders. My wife can attest to me asking if my cup is half empty or half full. But no matter how severe we are blinded at the moment, we are all rich with many blessings.
In the Gospel today, St. Matthew records the discussion as to how can we obtain eternal life? And our Lord startles him with His answer, “If thou art willing to be perfect, go and sell thy possessions, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come and keep on following Me.” [Mt. 19:21] Or perhaps Christ is asking us, is our cup half full, or empty? And there lies our struggle, we have to release our ties to our lives and Earthly things and serve and love one another!
St. Moses of Optina writes: “If at some time you show mercy to someone, mercy will be shown to you. If you show compassion to one who is suffering (and of course, this is not a great deed) you will be numbered among the martyrs. If you forgive one who has insulted you, then not only will all your sins be forgiven, but you will be a child of the Heavenly Father. If you pray from all your heart for salvation - even a little - you will be saved. If you rebuke yourself, accuse yourself, and judge yourself before God for your sins, with a sensitive conscience, even for this you will be justified. If you are sorrowful for your sins, or you weep, or sigh, your sigh will not be hidden from Him and, as St. John Chrysostom says, "If you only lament for your sins, then He will receive this for your salvation."”
As I survey my willingness to serve or help someone, I ask myself, have I really emptied myself? Are there holes in my bucket? Some people have the ability to drop everything they are doing and go and help or spend time with someone. It is a gift and a ministry of extreme value. In surveying all of my responsibilities, I find it difficult to run down every bunny trail that I come across; I tend to weigh each one against my schedule. Where can I be of the most use?
Some distractions can be a temptation and lead me off the proven path. Some may be a test as too see if I really love others. St. Barsanuphius the Great instructs us: “It is needful to do everything with discernment, and to take your own measure, so that you will not be confused later. To perform alms, fasting, or anything else at the highest degree (beyond one's limits or personal measure) lacks discernment, since later it will lead the one who performs them into confusion, despondency, and grumbling. Even God requires that which is according to the strength of man.” (St. Barsanuphius the Great, Instructions, 627)
Within our struggle we do however sometimes limit our strength and ability. It is important to surrender and let Christ use us, even if it is uncomfortable, even if we don’t know how. St. Barsanuphius reminds us: “Here is the luminous teaching of our Savior: Thy will be done. (Matt. 6:10). Whoever sincerely pronounces this prayer leaves his own will and puts all things in the will of God. But the will inspired by the demons consists in self-justification and trust in ourselves, and then they easily subject a man who receives this sort of thought.” (St. Barsanuphius the Great, Instructions, 40, 124)
When we give freely, we receive! So I ask: is your cup half-empty, or half full? St. Maximus the Confessor adds: “The action of love consists in heartfelt good deeds toward one's neighbor, magnanimity, patience, and sober use of things.”(St. Maximus the Confessor, Chapters on Love, 1.39-40)
Fr. Gabriel Weller 8-31-2025
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