A time to slow down

 Lent is quickly approaching.  I tend to face Lent with mixed emotions.  I am so thankful for the opportunity to re-focus, simplify, slow down, and set my eyes on Christ and His glorious resurrection.  On the other hand, Lent isn't easy, and any time we lay aside our passions and cravings it can be rather difficult.  In the Orthodox Christian Church (we go to an American Orthodox Church, which is the same as the Greek and Russian except for the language and a few small customs), the whole church joins together in a 40 day fast leading up towards Pascha (Easter).  Some of the things we are encouraged to do are to eat more simply and give up meat and dairy (if able), turn off the tv and other media, spend less money, give of our time and money to those in need, and spend more time in prayer and spiritual reading.  It is a wonderful tool for self-reflection and helping to re-set my priorities.  I welcome those changes and the growth, but like I said, it isn't easy.

    Holy Week is the last week of Lent.  There are services each night as we remember Christ's entrance into Jerusalem, the last supper, Judas' betrayal, and Jesus' death and entombment.  These are some of the most beautiful and heart-wrenching services I've ever been a part of.  The songs become somber, the lights are turned down, and there is a mournful reverence in the air as we remember Christ's sacrifice.  But then, we gather late in the night on Holy Saturday.  The church is dark.  We have spent the last 40 days in fasting meant to help us die to our desires and earthly passions, to see our dire need for a savior, and to fall more in love with Christ.  Though our hearts have felt the heaviness of His crucifixion, we have hope and joy for we know what is coming.  We know that Jesus is victorious over death!  The church is silent and dark.  Then, at midnight a candle is lit as the priest sings quietly "Thy resurrection O Christ our Savior, the angels in heaven sing; Enable us on earth, to glorify thee in purity of heart." He steps forward and lights another's candle and we all move forward to light our candle as well.

   Soon the room is illuminated with our candle light.  The singing gets louder and louder.  "Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!"  We go outside and walk around the church building singing and carrying our candles.  This is the beginning of the service of our Feast of Feasts, Pascha! Easter!  What Joy! and what love!  We are met that night with Jesus' grace and mercy, His victory!  Believe it or not, the service ends with a huge feast at 3:00am as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  And what a feast it is!

   I hold these things in my heart as I approach the beginning of Lent this Monday.  I desire to devote every breath I breathe to the Lord, and I desire to have prayer always on my lips!  This is my desire, but my flesh is weak, and I will fail.  I will have moments of growth and complete devotion, and at other moments I will get lazy and put myself first.  But God's forgiveness is perfect and complete, and we are reminded at the Pascha service to come as we are, whether our hearts have been focused or distracted, loving or bitter, just come in repentence because it is never too late.  This is illustrated beautifully in the account of Jesus' death.  The thief being crucified alongside of Jesus called out "Lord, remember me when You come into your Kingdom."  And Jesus said to him "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23: 42-43).