Redeeming The Time

Fr. Seraphim Holland shares some reflections on one of the hymns for Meatfare Saturday, and the selection from 1 Thessalonians which talks about us being with the Lord after the second coming, and prayer for the dead. The hymn which he refers to is this: "Why does man deceive himself and boast? / Why does he trouble himself in vain? / For he is earth, and soon to the earth he will return. / Why does the dust not reflect that it is formed from clay, / and cast out as rottenness and corruption? / Yet though we men are clay, why do we cling so closely to the earth? / For if we are Christ’s kindred, / should we not run to Him, / leaving all this mortal and fleeting life, / and seeking the life incorruptible, / which is Christ Himself, // the illumination of our souls?" (From the Praises, Tone 8, Meatfare Saturday)