Living in the Underground

The underground. For me, the thought of the “underground” brings images of underground resistance fighters secretly operating to fight an oppressive tyrant.  In any case, those who “live in the underground” conduct their lives around an alternative set of rules to achieve a desired goal. 

Our Lord Jesus Christ has also constructed an alternative society — an underground movement.  Here, those who are of the Church are to live lives that are in profound contrast to those who live according to the world system.   Much of the sixth chapter of St Luke’s Gospel spells out, in part, how we who live in the alternative society of the Church are to conduct lives:

As you wish men to do to you, do so to them.  If you love those who love you, what benefit of grace is that to you?  For even sinners love those who love them.  If you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit of grace is that to you?  For even sinners do the same.  And if you should lend to those whom you hope to receive back, what benefit of grace is that?  Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back what is lent.  Rather, love your enemies, do good and lend not expecting anything in return, and your reward shall be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is good to the ungrateful and the evil.  Become compassionate just as your Father is compassionate (St Luke 6: 31 – 36).

The Sermon on the Mount

Both St Luke (see St Luke 6: 20 – 49) and St Matthew (see St Matthew 5: 1 – 48) offer behaviors that are of the underground life of the Church — ways of thought and living that are stark alternatives to the “economies” (the Greek word means “how a house is managed”) of the world system.  The teachings of our Lord in these scriptural passages invert and subvert the “economies” of the world system.  By them, a behavioral counter culture of the Kingdom of Heaven is established.  Undoing, defeating, subverting the world system is not accomplished by operating by the same methods.  We do not fight fire with fire.  St Paul offers a corresponding, definitive rule:  

Do not repay evil for evil, but always pursue the good both for one another and for all.  Rejoice always.  Pray constantly.  Give thanks for all things for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thes 5: 15 – 18).

“Become compassionate just as your Father is compassionate.”  This is not just to be a goal, but it is to be our reality!  Several years age while hearing a man’s confession he stated he wished to be compassionate, “but I just don’t feel like being compassionate.”  I responded by telling him that we don’t wait for a feeling to act for good.  It may never come.  Rather, I suggested that he “do compassion” and you will become compassionate.  I added, “Look for common situations your life to do compassionate things.”

George Harrison

A better term for an underground society is a parallel society — it offers a more constructive foundation for action.  In the parallel society which is the Church — as we faithfully follow Christ’s teachings — we will love those who hate us.  We will do good and extend ourselves to others without thought of compensation.  We, by doing, will become who we are to be in Christ.  However, we have to start out with small steps that are realistic and obtainable.  For example, if one only know three guitar chords one cannot expect to play the Beatles’ Here Comes the Sun.  But, by practicing and expanding one’s “guitar chops” in “the woodshed”— one day one will be able to play George Harrison’s wonderful and beautiful song.  Similarly, regarding works of faith, we start out small and work our way up as we, by faith, cooperate with the Holy Spirit and grow in his ways.

Now, I present a thematic shift — a shift to thoughts and how we think.  This shift is important since our thoughts will determine how we act and form our lives.  From the Prayer of the Hours we have this:  “…Sanctify our souls, purify our bodies, set aright our minds, cleanse our thoughts.”  Along with this, I offer words from Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica:

Our life depends on the kind of thoughts we nurture.  If our thoughts are peaceful, calm, meek, and kind, then that is what our life is like.  If our attention is turned to the circumstances in which we live, we are drawn into a whirlpool of thoughts and can have neither peace nor tranquility.

Light and Life

Also, please allow me to present an exercise that will improve our thoughts and increase compassionate, merciful, and peaceful mindsets and actions.  When driving in town take notice of pedestrians and pray that they be blessed, that God’s mercy come upon them, and they be drawn into the Light and Life of Christ.  The same can be done in any situation or setting.  I believe such simple spiritual exercises will lead us to think and act in ways to the benefit of others so that, in turn, we attain our Lord’s will for our lives:  “Become compassionate just as your Father is compassionate…and become sons of the Most High.”

In Christ while living in The Underground,

Fr Irenaeus

Here is a link to “Here Comes the Sun”