Page 9 - True Life in God Anniversary Magazine

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understand their faith better, but are
totally focused on living a Christ-like
life; if they overflow with love for God
and their neighbor; if they embrace
an intimacy with God that resembles
those of the Saints; if they submit their
will to God and become examples for
others; if the True Life In God messag-
es cause such transformations, what
more could I ask of my spiritual flock
and congregation?
This transformation I have witnessed
is without a doubt a “good fruit” of the
Holy Spirit and hence the messages
themselves must come from God
(Matt. 7:20). I therefore will continue to
study and draw from the Spirituality I
have found in True Life In God.
Archbishop
David Sahagian,
Armenian Orthodox
Church, Patriarchate of
Jerusalem.
Dear Ms Ryden, it is an occasion of
great pleasure and personal satis-
faction for us to recognize in you a new
catalyst of spiritual rejuvenation who
can talk to our present generation in
a most persuasive language, through
the books you are publishing.
Your inspired mission of bringing the
message of Christ to others is a source
of profound joy to the Church. And
your indefatigable zeal of drawing
strength from and seeking regenera-
tion and reinforcement in your Greek
roots, should set an enviable example
of dedicated fidelity, to our tortured
youth. In our days, at time when crass
materialismhas taken such a deep root
in the hearts of men, it is refreshing to
know that all is not lost, that there still
are among us people like yourself who
are in communion with the Creator,
and able to transmit to us the benefit
of your inspiration.
We take pride in encouraging your
ecumenical mission and pray for your
success. We look forward to reading
your next book. Meanwhile, we send
you our blessings from the Holy City of
God and ask the Lord to keep you and
guard you.
Todor Sabev,
BulgarianOrthodoxtheolo-
gianandhistorian,former
DeputyGeneralSecretaryof
theWorldCouncilofChurches.
V assula was called to become an
ardent witness of Christ, carrying
His Cross “to the four corners” of the
secularized world. Together with
many other disciples, she has to be
an instrument of divine providence,
an echo of God’s Word, compassion,
reconciliation and peace. The
Messages are not a new revelation
but a reminder of the Gospel of Christ.
The basic task of Vassula is sharing of
the Good News through proclamation
in communities and assemblies of
prayer and meditation, diffusion
of the Writings by publication, and
“drawing souls to Jesus Christ.” (…)
Basically, the content of theMessages
in ‘True Life in God’ is in harmony
with the Holy Scriptures and with
the tradition of the Church. They are
being distributed, read andmeditated
within the Church, aiming at a revival
of Christian faith, renewal and unity.
References are often made to the
Bible as source of truth, knowledge
and wisdom. The doxological part
of the Messages is biblically based.
Very dear to Orthodox spirituality
are the numerous prayers, the urgent
call to conversion and repentance,
fast and a holy life. In the centre of
Vassula’s vision are placed also many
other fundamental truths, values
and teachings of the Church. Prayer,
humility, charity, generosity, peace,
reconciliation and mutual love in
Christ’s name are continuously
underscored in all notebooks. God’s
abundant grace and tenderness are
often presented in the context of
concern and care for the groaning
creation, a warning about sin
corrupting humanity, and a call to
awakening for “the battle against
Satan and his followers. ” (…)
One of the strongest elements in
Vassula Ryden’s visions is the gravity
of the divisions between the churches,
the urgency of the work for unity of
the Church, and the importance of
the ecumenical movement. The sin of
division and wounds in the Body of
Christaresooftenduetolackoffidelity,
humility and mutual love. “Rivalry
and competition for earthly power,”
egoism and pride cannot bring about
unity. Those who endeavor to gather
together the scattered sheep of Christ
“should lower their voices” in order to
hear the voice of the Lord; they should
“bow down their heads ” for blessing by
the Head of the Church - Jesus Christ.
Then He shall lift all and draw them to
Himself. “Blessed are those who do not
differentiate themselves” under Christ’s
Holy Name. “Pray for the World Council
of Churches” and for the world-wide
ecumenical movement. Let us always
remember that “the keys to unity are
love and humility.” The real unity is
and will be in the heart, not “of the
letter but of the spirit.” It is a gift of God,
but requires also human commitment
and effort: “where there is division give
peace and love, where there is confusion
ask for Light.” “Unity shall come upon
you like Dawn ... It shall come from
God, and your nations shall name it the
Great Miracle, the Blessed Day ... In this
day all Heaven shall ... rejoice.”“Behold,
what joy I will have when around One
Altar you will gather ... and praise Me;
acknowledging your mistake, repenting
for your rebellion and remembering My
love for you.” (…)
The reading of Vassula’s Writings
requires a mystical soul, prayer for
“knowledge and all discernment ” (Phil.
1:9), seeking for truth in the power of
love and resisting any easy judgment.
The gifts of the Spirit should be
spiritually distinguished (1 Cor. 12:10).
Let us measure the value of the tree
by its fruits (Matt. 3:10; 7:16). The great
quality of the numerous fruits of ‘True
Life in God’ has been acknowledged
by many people. The Messages have
deepened spiritual life, strengthened
Christian faith and opened the sight
of a certain number of non-believers.
And we have yet to see the fulfillment
of God’s promises: “I the Lord, will
multiply the visions ... (and) will pour
the Holy Spirit without reserve on all
humankind”. “You will grow like grass in
the areas where there is plenty of water.”
Let us give thanks to God for all
charisms.