Diligence
Translated by Tsigereda Shimeles
June 8, 2023
Diligence as written in Biblical Dictionary is, “Conscientious hard work and perseverance, particularly with regard to a relationship with God. In Scripture diligence is highly commended. It may however be misguided.”
In Christianity, diligence is our routine prayer, fast and prostration aside the alms giving, feeding and nurturing the poor. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has taught about diligence through the apostles during the apostasy era.
When we live in the world, our suffering can be exacerbated, but there will be time when suffering seize. We become diligent recalling our God. Just as we strive for our worldly life, we must also be diligent for our soul as Saint Peter said, “brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble.” (2 Peter 21:10)
The Apostle is like a farmer whilst he conveys this message to the diligent people. On the ploughing, the farmer shows the whip and they bring out extra labor and plough more. This time, the famer does not beat them. But as it is necessary to show them the whip, he do so. The Apostle Paul showed them about a diligence in Christian life by teaching holy gospel in the preaching of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He taught us in this way to learn and know since the word of our Lord is knowledge.
As everything will bear fruit, we learn in our own will to gain knowledge. We learn Theology, Church education, Christology and Hagiography as well for they are five pillars of Church. We are to know ‘The five pillars’ of Christianity being, “The Mystery of Holy Trinity, Mystery of Christology, Mystery of Epiphany, Mystery of Holy Communion and Mystery of resurrection of the dead” if we learn them. We acquire knowledge when we learn and thus shall be educated. We gain more knowledge when we learn. If we perform our every conduct with knowledge, we will not be mistaken.
God had already taught as through the prophets in different ways; These words of Saint Peter reminds us to be careful, work hard and pray as we do not know judgment day. We must be diligent as the Apostle Saint Peter taught us and need to work hard, before the end of time. It is of the essence to store food for soul in the limited time of our lives bestowed to us by our labor, knowledge and spiritual wealth whilst we are young. Our diligence then will be strength, stiff and steadiness.
Fasting with prayer and adoration embraces us in Christian life and moreover engrave for Holy life. Our diligence is allied with summoning signifying our persistence. But, we are called in various ways. We have different contribution in our spirituality. Some of us for teaching, others for singing, or else for Monasticism, though only few realize to trade and earn from it. But we are called in one way or another. All of us are called to be Christians in Christ and thus to inherit Heavenly Kingdom by walking in the path of righteousness, we must be diligent.
Saint Peter said, “for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge” because of this. For faith without virtue is futile. (2 Peter 1:5) Saint James has told those Hebrews who lived in hope of faith that not their creed only will save them but also with virtue.
Being diligent in virtue is to do all the good things we daily ensure for others as well. It is to feed the poor whilst we consume food for ourselves, clothe the stripped from our attires, shelter the street dwellers for we shall have sympathy. As these Christians livings pleases God, He wills to support in our diligence. It will be perseverance for our prayer to thrive, acceptance of our fast and diligent in prostration.
Therefore, whenever we are in any situation and suffering, whether our travail is immense or minor, have peace in our lives or live in chaos, whether we are happy or in sorrow, we shall be obliged to live in diligence without any complaint. Especially now that enemy Satan has set his trap in destroying our religion, Church and Country, we are obligated to be diligent in prayer, fasting and prostration according to the teaching of the apostle.
Our world is facing social, economic and political tribulations; people are surrounded by problems and living in torment seeking elucidation these days and for this, we shall cry out more to God for He wills to assent and retorts to our prayer. And church liturgy instructs for our prayer to be supported by prostration. Aside our daily prayer and prostration, it is relevant to keep the fasting seasons.
May the guidance of our God in prayer, fasting and prostration be with us, Amen!