Beloved in Christ,

“And though I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.”

I Corinthians 13:2-3

As we begin once again the Lenten journey, I think it does us good to look at the words of St. Paul and to understand that we as Orthodox Christians have been given great gifts, not only of our Faith, our Theology, our Ecclesiology - we always have to understand that ultimately it is about love that we are looking toward as we seek the light of the Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

It is very easy for us to become triumphalistic in our ascetic works during the Lenten period. We become prideful of our ability to fast; boastful of the alms that we have given; and full of vanity about our participation in the services of the Church.

The same things can be said of those who are who are prideful in that they do not fast; or boastful in that they do not give alms; or too vain to lower themselves to humbly worship on their knees our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. There is no love in either of these two situations.

We must see that God has given us a great gift to be able to fast, to be able to give alms to the poor, and that God provided a beautiful temple for us to pray and to worship in. We must be seeking humility during the Lenten period. And to be ever so thankful for all the things that God has bestowed upon us, and not take them for granted.

It is very easy in this life to get caught up in all the reasons why we shouldn’t fast, why we shouldn’t give alms, and why we shouldn’t pray. But just remember when that happens you are being seduced by the devil himself, who is the prince of this world and is trying to separate you from God. This is why there are so many extra services during this time. This is why we bring guest speakers in to speak to us, and why we should find at least one retreat of the many retreats that will be offered during the Lenten time, to go to, to be edified and to be made stronger by having participated in them.

St. Paul has told us that there are many gifts, but that the greatest gift of all is the gift of love. And we see that love manifested in the person of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who will make the walk to Golgotha, be nailed on a cross for our salvation, who will die for our sins, and then in glory be resurrected so that we may become eternal.

The events that will unfold during Great Lent and Holy Week are events that we should not miss; that our children, godchildren and grandchildren should all participate in. The Lenten Journey is a struggle and at times difficult, but always remember we do it together, and that God blesses us at the end with His light and with His love.

I hope the Lenten Journey is glorious for each and every one of you. I look forward to making this journey once again with you.