We must not see the Church as a kind of cruise ship, where friendly exchanges take place, social gatherings are all important, and a place that is comfortable.
When the Church preaches repentance, do we become angry, not wanting to be corrected?
Do we resist being challenged to turn away from our sinful life?
Do we refuse to see that the Church is a battleship, offering those on board, safety in the angry and turbulent seas that assault her?
As the waves of passions confront us, threatening to hurtle us against the rocks, it is good to remember that as long as we remain on board the ship of the Church, we are safe.
This ship is not a cruise ship, but a battleship that takes us safely through dangerous seas that would consume us, and take us down to the depths of hell.
We sail aboard a ship that is piloted by Christ Himself, and we are comforted by the knowledge that this ship is headed to the safe harbor, which is the eternal Kingdom of God.
Abbot Tryphon