The importance of the family, the Church and its servants in the life of the young man

who wants to get closer to God

- reflections on the life of St. Leontie of Rădăuți -

It is said in the life of St. Leontie of Rădăuți about the beginnings of the path of faith:

‘From an early age, going to church with his parents, he was filled with a great love for the house of God, where, later, he went daily and listened with all his attention to the whole service, seeking to get as close as possible in his soul with the holy ministers, the Pious Fathers and the ascetics of this royal church.’

We find in this text several important elements of the life of faith for those who want to follow this path.

The first is the importance of the family in transmitting the faith. The faithful family is the first to put the young person in contact with the atmosphere of faith in God found in the Church. Love for God and faith is manifested in love for the house of God, for the Church. Just as faith needs deeds to be seen and strengthened, so the love of God can only be shown by love for the place where we meet God which is the Church.

Attending the church services and listening to them attentively are a second element. Why is this important? Because the liturgical texts speak of God and the saints who embodied the example of the divine life that every Christian must follow. The service puts us in touch with the incomprehensible grace of God and acquaints us with the One who is. He, God, remains our ultimate goal if we seek salvation.

The servants of God are un third element. They can guide us on the path of faith because they are those who already live in the atmosphere of God's holiness, are knowledgeable of spiritual mysteries and are an example of constant hard work for spiritual growth.

The faithful family is the favorable environment in which the young man learns the rudiments of the faith that means to be present in the Church. From here his heart and soul are inflamed for God through his love for His house which is the Church and in which he begins to listen the divine words through the religious services. And further, if he wants to advance in this way, he follows the examples of those who live most around God - that is, the ministers of the Church - and who represent models of the Christian life.

† Ioan Casian