Archive for March 2018

I admit it! I’m tired. I’m hungry. I’m grumpy. I’m frustrated. It must be Great Lent. At some point during your Great Lenten Journey, I’m guessing you have felt some, most, or all these emotions. At this point during the fourth week of our journey, Great Lent seems to be taking its toll on me.…

I mentioned yesterday that we were invited by Christ to pick up our cross. Each us has a unique burden, but each of us also struggle with similar challenges. As we continue our conversation about embracing our struggle, I thought I would return to the topic of forgiveness. We heard several weeks ago, before the…

Continuing with our theme of bearing our cross this week, I turn to the third leg of our spiritual stool. One topic we have not yet discussed during our Great Lenten Journey is that of charity. Our Lord calls us to serve others as we were reminded before Great Lent began on Judgment Sunday. If…

It is day 22 of our Great Lenten Journey and now that we are past the half-way point, things are getting serious. Now that we are over the hump (as they say) our journey will begin to go by much faster as there are every day fewer days ahead than behind us. Of course, we…

On the third Sunday of Great Lent, halfway through our annual journey toward Pascha, the Church turns our attention on the Cross. Just as the Cross is the destination of Christ for His earthly ministry, it remains our destination as Christians if we choose to follow Christ. Today’s Gospel readings opens with the invitation from…

As we enter the fourth week of Great Lent, it is always good to be reminded that the Christian life is a struggle. The hardest part isn’t the fasting, nor the prayers, nor attending Church. It isn’t even avoiding sin. The hardest part of being a Christian doesn’t even have anything to do with our…

You can always tell that Pascha is near, by watching the newest movie trailers from Hollywood. It seems that each year, another movie or documentary about Christ or Christianity is released. This year is no different with a new movie reportedly about Saint Paul to be release in the coming days. I have no desire…

Here we are, at the half-way point of the Great Fast. If you’ve been trying to fast, I’m sure at least once you realized how difficult it can be to maintain the fast when you are not at home cooking for yourself. Unless you research menus in advance, eating outside of your own home can…

During our Great Lenten Journey, nothing is more obvious than the quiet and humble atmosphere of the Church during the Lenten Services. As I mentioned in The Rhythm of Great Lent the physical atmosphere is an important detail during Great Lent. It isn’t all about candles and incense. That would limit the journey to solely external issues.…

Yesterday I reminded you to contact your Spiritual Father, your coach for Great Lent. Every team has players and coaches which we have already spoken about. You are the team players and your spiritual father is your coach. Every team that is planning on success needs more than just players and coaches. It needs practice time…