Lent 2014



Our Father, who art in Heaven,
Hallow be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done,
On Earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day, our daily bread
Forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Amen.

Welcome to Orthodox Lent. The season has started. What is Lent? Seriously, what is it and what does it mean to you? Have you thought about the meaning of it and in your life? I doubt it very much. None of us do. I am guilty of not necessarily being as good as I should when it comes to spiritual and church events. I have a life like everyone else out there and it is not always possible for me to do what I should. Shame on me and shame on you. We should always and I mean always make time for God. I don’t care how busy you say you are…minimum of Sunday service shouldn’t be too much to expect. I say that because we immediately either blame or cuss God when something doesn’t work out or we immediately go into prayer when something is wrong. We expect instant gratification when we want something from Him and yet cannot give 2 hours a week (commute to church included) back to Him.

As I said, I am poor at this myself and admittedly would prefer to stay in bed on a Sunday. There I said it. Although I did just that this past Sunday, I realized something which to me is very profound. Lent had started. The season for a rebirth of sorts from who you are today to a better Christian tomorrow. It is your chance to become better. Not better for the person you love or for your kids or your mom or dad. But the desire to be better for your Maker. Nothing should be more important in life than He that created you. Why? When you give yourself fully and live for God…in return God gives you what you need.

Therefore, given we have just started Lent I thought I would throw this bit of food for thought out there. This should be the time when we answer the call to humanity and better ourselves. Give to charity, help your neighbor or just do something nice for someone without the expectancy of something in return. I realize that in our busy lives it’s hard enough to do something for yourself, let alone someone else, even a stranger…..all I ask is that you try. Try to be more understanding, let anger go and forgiveness happen. Until that point and time you will never be whole and nothing, no wounds or pain will ever be healed. Therefore, you will always live ¾ of your potential.

Think about it this way. Christ was in the Heavens. Peace, love and beauty surrounded him. He chose to come to Earth, leave all that behind for us. Yes…us little sinners that are ungrateful and never satisfied with what we have in life. So…lets think harder…he left the Heavens to be born in a manger and live a life of poverty on Earth…for the soul purpose of teaching and dying. He gave his life up for the human race to have eternal salvation.

Lets at least practice a gesture of thank you to our fellow humans and think about ourselves and how much better we can be.

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