"The Brothers Karamazov," perhaps the greatest work by Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky, begins with an epigraph, a verse from the Gospel of John: "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit" (John 12:24). This verse is a fitting choice, because throughout the rest of the book, the theme of voluntary self-denial is woven throughout the narrative -- it is there when Fr. Zosima tells the story of the "Mysterious Stranger" and his reluctance to confess his crime, when the sick and dying Markel voluntarily places himself below his own servants and even asks forgiveness from the birds, and when Ivan struggles with how to react to his brother's trial, given what he knows. Above all, it is found in the saying repeated over and over again: "We are each of us guilty before all people and for the sins of all people, and I more than any."
The Christian acceptance of death can be either through repentance for the actual sins and failings that we've committed or it can be through the voluntary bearing of the burdens of our friends, neighbors, and even (and especially!) our enemies, according to what St. Paul says, "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" (Gal 6:2). Whichever it is, however, it is a voluntary taking up of and sharing in the Cross of Christ and like His Cross, it is a life-giving and life-creating death.
This idea is particularly shocking to us because we're raised to think and do the opposite. We're taught that we deserve to have what we want, that we have a right to it. When we help other people, it's usually out of whatever we have left over. We're not just unwilling to lay down our lives literally for others, but often unwilling even to be seriously inconvenienced. We cling to our lives with both hands and yet, we cannot hold onto them. If we try to save our lives, we lose them.
However, throughout my life, I've met many people who show that there is another way to be, another way to live. People that radiate a humble love. People that are always willing to listen when someone is going through a difficult time, to pray for them, to weep and rejoice with the sorrows and joys of those around them. People who find their lives, not in themselves, but in others.
I want to learn how to be like those people. Please pray for me.
However, throughout my life, I've met many people who show that there is another way to be, another way to live. People that radiate a humble love. People that are always willing to listen when someone is going through a difficult time, to pray for them, to weep and rejoice with the sorrows and joys of those around them. People who find their lives, not in themselves, but in others.
I want to learn how to be like those people. Please pray for me.
