Launch Out into the Deep

Yesterday, and the day before, I had the opportunity to participate in a part of an internal conference held by the Mount Lebanon chapter of the Orthodox Youth Movement (MJO). Palestine was present, with its wounds and our hopes for it, first in the homily given by Metropolitan Silouan Moussi, during the Vespers prayer that opened the conference. After the prayer, two speeches focused on the slogan of the conference, “Launch Out into the Deep,” the first by the head of the chapter, Nada Sobhiyeh, and the second by the Metropolitan of the Mountain. Brother Elia Nasrallah, who introduced both speakers, reminded us that we are in a meeting for self-examination and for seeking the best for our Church and for ourselves. The next day, there was a speech by the Secretary-General and papers that brought us deeper into the life of the chapter in these difficult days. In all the talk and ambition, Jesus’ word was commanding us to launch out into the deep. This is reliance on the Lord Who is present in His community for the perpetuity of repentance and wonder. The movement is a testimony to the fact that all of the new life is surrender to a God Who alone deserves to be obeyed.