A Party Called Prayer Meeting

Dear all,

Narrating a story, I am sure many of today's Orthodox Christians can
identify with...

A Person went to a prayer meeting in a house where someone had died. There he
expected to see people consoling the grieving family; instead he saw them
cracking jokes, having fun, needling each other. The elders were engrossed in
seemingly serious discussions about church politics. The youngsters were
having a reunion party. After a long time, someone initiated some songs, there
was the reciting of the written prayers at the speed of light by the Achen and
all, incense was placed and benediction was given - all in a span of sweet
twenty minutes! Then the social get together continued. The discussions ranged
from a car bought by someone, a house on sale and the newest fashion in town.
All were called to dinner, all had their fill, thanked the family and left after
an enjoyable evening.

I heard that the family started preparation for this prayer meeting early in the
morning, since they heard about the death late the previous night; and they had
to work tidying up till late that night. The next day there were complaints that
some people were not invited for the party...oops ..the prayer meeting! In the
good old days people used to stop by themselves after hearing that someone in a
family had passed away.

Friends, with the picture painted in the above story, which for many of us is a
sad reality, if we try to find the reasons for the problems in our church today
and for people moving elsewhere in search of God -  we might get some answers.