2/28/2010 -- Second Sunday in Lent

On the Second Sunday of Lent the Orthodox Church commemorates our Holy Father Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessalonica, the Wonderworker. The feast day of Saint Gregory Palamas is November 14, however, he is commemorated on this Sunday as the condemnation of his enemies and the vindication of his teachings by the Church in the 14th century was acclaimed as a second triumph of Orthodoxy.

Gregory Palamas

Saints and Feasts: Basil the Confessor; Kyranna the New Martyr of Thessaloniki

Epistle: Hebrews 1:10-14;2:1-3

Gospel: Mark 2:1-12

To ponder and mediate on: You will glorify Him as God and Him only, the King and Creator of all; and to Him you will cleave, and to Him you will turn from your sins, known and unknown, day and night (from St. Gregory Palamas).

Challenge: Live the Feast today! After Liturgy, keep the feeling all day – try to glorify God through your actions.

February 27, 2010 -- Second Saturday in Lent

Saints and Feasts: Prokopios the Confessor of Decapolis; Raphael of Brooklyn; Stephen the Monk

Epistle Reading: Hebrews 3:12-16

Gospel Reading: Mark 1:35-44

To ponder and mediate on: In this season of fasting, O Christ, you have shone as a light on those who walk in the darkness of sin. Bring us to the holy days of Your passion, that we may sing to you: Arise O God, and have mercy on us (from today’s Vespers).

Challenge: Instead of staying out late tonight, come home an hour early than usual and have a quiet evening. This will help you prepare for the Divine Liturgy tomorrow.

February 26, 2010 -- Second Friday in Lent

Saints and Feasts: Porphyrios, Bishop of Gaza; Photini the Samaritan Woman & her martyred sisters: Anatole, Phota, Photis, Paraskevi, & Kyriaki; Holy Martyr Theocletus; John Claphas the new Martyr

OLD TESTAMENT READING 1: Isaiah 7:1-14

OLD TESTAMENT READING 2: Genesis 5:32-6:8

OLD TESTAMENT READING 3: Proverbs 6:20-7:1

Something to ponder: Tonight is the second service of the Salutations to the Theotokos -- go the Archdiocese site and listen to the beautiful hymns . . .

http://lent.goarch.org/media/audio.asp#akathist

Challenge: Think about how Mary accepted the Archangel’s command to become the God-bearer. Spend 5 minutes and write down all the things that you will have to remove from your life if God was to dwell in you.

February 25, 2010 -- Second Thursday in Lent

Saints and Feasts: Tarasios, Patriarch of Constantinople; Reginos, Bishop of Skopelos; Holy Martyr Alexander of Thrace; Markellos, Bishop of Apamea

OLD TESTAMENT READING 1: Isaiah 6:1-12

OLD TESTAMENT READING 2: Genesis 5:1-24

OLD TESTAMENT READING 3: Proverbs 6:3-20

To ponder and meditate on: "The sacred writers of the Old and New Testament, with the Holy Spirit, authored the books. The Fathers of the Church applied the writings to their lives. The next generation knew them by heart. But those of modern times have shut them away in libraries". Learn the truths of the Church!!!

Challenge: Do one nice thing for someone else today – and tell no one!

February 24, 2010 -- Second Wednesday in Lent

Saints and Feasts: First & Second Finding of the Venerable Head of John the Baptist; Romanos, Prince of Uglich

OLD TESTAMENT READING 1: Isaiah 5:16-25
OLD TESTAMENT READING 2: Genesis 4:16-26
OLD TESTAMENT READING 3: Proverbs 5:15-6:3

To ponder and mediate on: We need the divine medicines to heal the wounds that we have received; and to protect us from those that we have not yet received but will receive. We must thoroughly quench the darts of the devil and beat them off by continual reading of the divine Scriptures (from St. John Chrysostom).

Challenge: If you haven’t been keeping up with the daily readings, start again now! If you have, think of one medicine that you can receive in your life that will keep the evil one away . . . Holy Communion. Go to Pre-Sanctified Liturgy tonight and receive Christ.

February 23, 2010 -- Second Tuesday in Lent

Saints and Feasts: Polycarp the Holy Martyr & Bishop of Smyrna; Proterios, Archbishop of Alexandria; Gorgonia the Righteous, sister of Gregory the Theologian; Damian the New Martyr of Mount Athos

OLD TESTAMENT READING 1: Isaiah 5:7-16
OLD TESTAMENT READING 2: Genesis 4:8-15
OLD TESTAMENT READING 3: Proverbs 5:1-15

To ponder and mediate on: In continuing with our Lenten forgiveness theme . . . O Master, we who believe in You know the wealth of your great compassion. Along with the Prodigal Son, in deep sincerity we bow down before you. Accepts us, that we may flee to You for refuge, for there is no sin O Lord, that can triumph over your love for us (from the Matins of the day).

Challenge: Do not log on to Facebook for 24 hours. Use the time in a spiritually healthier way.

February 22, 2010 -- Second Monday in Lent

Saints and Feasts: Finding of the Relics of the Holy Martyrs of Eugenios; Our Righteous Fathers Thalassius and Baradatus; Anthousa the Martyr & her 12 Servants

OLD TESTAMENT READING 1: Isaiah 4:2-5:7

OLD TESTAMENT READING 2: Genesis 3:21-4:7

OLD TESTAMENT READING 3: Proverbs 3:34-4:22

To ponder and meditate on: A theme in lent is repentance and forgiveness – but also looking toward Heaven.

Earthly life is given to us by the mercy of the Creator in order that we may use it for salvation, that is, for our restoration from death to life (from Saint Ignatius Brianchaninov).

Challenge: Think of one thing that you do on a daily basis that is not good for the soul -- Try to eliminate that from your life.

February 21, 2010 -- Sunday of Orthodoxy

The Sunday of Orthodoxy is the first Sunday of Great Lent. The main theme of this Sunday since 843 has been that of the victory of the icons. In that year the iconoclastic controversy (which did not allow icons in Church), which had raged on and off since 726, was finally laid to rest, and icons and their veneration were restored on the first Sunday in Lent. Ever since, this Sunday has been commemorated as the "Triumph of Orthodoxy."

Saints and Feasts: Timothy the Righteous; John III, Patriarch of Constantinople; Eustathios, Patriarch of Antioch; Zachariah, Patriarch of Jerusalem

Epistle Reading: Hebrews 11:24-26,32-40

Gospel Reading: John 1:43-51

To ponder and meditate on: Who is so, great a God, as our God. You are the God, who alone does wonders (from the Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers).

Challenge: Go to Church today and receive Communion. You made it through the first week of Great Lent. Congratulations!!! If you fell this week – that’s OK. Just get right back on it and start today!

February 20, 2010 -- First Saturday in Lent

Saints and Feasts: Leo, Bishop of Catania; Agathus, Pope of Rome; Bessarion the Great

Epistle:

The Reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 2:1-10

TIMOTHY, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to satisfy the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hardworking farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will grant you understanding in everything.

Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descended from David, as preached in my gospel, the gospel for which I am suffering and wearing fetters like a criminal. But the word of God is not fettered. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus with its eternal glory.

Gospel:

The Reading is from Mark 2:23-28; 3:1-5

At that time, Jesus was going through the grainfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. And the Pharisees said to him, "Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?" And he said to them, "Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God, when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?" And he said to them, "The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath; so the Son of man is lord even of the sabbath."

Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand. And they watched him, to see whether he would heal him on the sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man who had the withered hand, "Come here." And he said to them, "Is it lawful on the sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?" But they were silent. And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, "Stretch it out," and his hand was restored.

To ponder and meditate on: Think about you temporary this life is . . . and how eternity is never ending.

My Soul, O My soul, rise up! Why are you sleeping? The end draws near and soon you will be troubled. Watch then, that Christ your God may spare you, for He is everywhere present and fills all things (from the service of the Great Compline).

Challenge: Instead of staying out late tonight, come home an hour early than usual and have a quiet evening. This will help you prepare for the Divine Liturgy tomorrow.

February 19 -- First Friday in Lent

Saints and Feasts: Philemon & Archippos, Apostles of the 70; Philothea the Righteous Martyr of Athens; Niketas the Younger

Old Testament Reading 1: Isaiah 3:1-14

Old Testament Reading 2: Genesis 2:20-3:20

Old Testament Reading 3: Proverbs 3:19-34

To ponder and meditate on: O Champion General, I your city now inscribe to you triumphant anthems as the tokens of my gratitude, being rescued from the terrors, O Theotokos. But since you have the dominion unassailable, from all kinds of perils free me so that unto you, I may cry aloud: rejoice, O Bride unwedded.

Challenge: Each Friday in Great Lent, we celebrate the service of Salutations to the Theotokos. This service is celebrated in the evening. Make plans to go to this evening’s service. Follow along in the service, it is a beautiful prayer.

February 18 -- First Thursday in Lent

Saints and Feasts: Leo the Great, Pope of Rome; Agapetus the Confessor, Bishop of Sinai; Flavian the Confessor, Patriarch of Constantinople

Old Testament Reading 1: Isaiah 2:11-21

Old Testament Reading 2: Genesis 2:4-19

Old Testament Reading 3: Proverbs 3:1-18

To ponder and meditate on: You have given repentance for me a sinner, O Lord, wishing in your boundless mercy to save me. I fall down before you and pray, humble my soul through fasting, for I come to you for refuge, you who are rich in mercy (from the Matins on this day).

Challenge: Instead of listening to music or watching TV before you go to bed, open an inspirational book and read.

February 17 -- First Wednesday in Lent

Saints and Feasts: Theodore the Tyro, Great Martyr; Mariamne, sister of Apostle Philip; Righteous Auxentius, Pious Kings Marclanus and Pulcherias; Theodore the New Martyr of Byzantium

Old Testament Reading 1: Isaiah 2:3-11

Old Testament Reading 2: Genesis 1:24-2:3

Old Testament Reading 3: Proverbs 2:1-22

To ponder and meditate on: Let my prayer rise like incense before you, and the lifting of my hands like an evening sacrifice (from the Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts).

Challenge: Abstain from food from after lunch. Go to the Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts at your Church and receive Holy Communion. Listen for the above prayer (the priest sings this as he censes the Holy Table).

February 16 -- First Tuesday of Lent

Saints and Feasts: Pamphilios the Martyr & his Companions; Flavianos, Patriarch of Constantinople; Romanos the Younger

Old Testament Reading 1: Isaiah 1:19-2:3

Old Testament Reading 2: Genesis 1:14-23

Old Testament Reading 3: Proverbs 1:20-33

To Ponder and meditate on: The sins of those who ask for pardon are forgiven. But see that you do not harbor hatred for your those when you ask them for forgiveness of your sins (Saint Ephraim the Syrian).

Challenge: Ask someone in your family or a friend whom you have hurt for forgiveness.

February 15, 2010 -- Clean Monday

2/15/2010

Clean Monday

Saints and Feasts: Onesimus the Apostle of the 70; Our Righteous Father Anthimos the Elder of Chios; Eusebius the Righteous of Syria

Old Testament Reading 1: Isaiah 1:1-20

Old Testament Reading 2: Genesis 1:1-13

Old Testament Reading 3: Proverbs 1:1-20

To ponder and meditate on:

Going through the fast does not consist in merely going through the time, but in going through it with change of manners. Let us consider this: Whether we have become more diligent; whether we have corrected any of our faults: whether we have washed away our sins? (from St. John Chrysostom).

Challenge: Print the following prayer up and read it everyday throughout Great Lent . . . it is called the Lenten Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian. Do a prostration at the beginning of each line.

O Lord and Master of my life, take away from me the spirit of laziness, meddling, ambition and gossip.

But give to me your servant, the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love.

Yes, Lord and King, grant me to see my own sins and faults, and not to judge my brother or sister, for you are blessed to the ages of ages. Amen.

What is "Into the Desert"?

Monday, February 15, is “Kathara Deftera” or in English, Clean Monday. It is the first day of Lent for Orthodox Christians worldwide. Actually, Lent itself, begins the preceding evening during Vespers (called Forgiveness Vespers). The theme for this beautiful service is “forgiveness” – when all present ask each other for forgiveness – starting Lent with a clean conscience and forgiveness. If your parish offers this service, try to attend.

In a few days, we will get started on the 40-day Lenten Journey. This is how Into the Desert will work. Each day, we will offer the Lenten readings from the Old Testament (New Testament on Saturday and Sundays), as well as a daily quote from a Church Father or Mother, and a daily challenge. Find some time each day, whether in the morning, afternoon or evening, to spend some time in quiet – reading and reflecting. But don’t forget – it’s easy to spend 10 minutes a day in prayer, reading scripture, etc., and then that is it. Make sure your entire day is a prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:12) – “pray without ceasing.” Make sure that every minute of your day is a reflection on how you are God’s vessel – and God is working through you.

The challenges will build upon each other, starting slowly and building our way towards Pascha. For instance, we may “challenge” you to not log onto Facebook for one day, or cut out one TV show and fill it with some inspirational reading or intentionally helping someone out.

You can do this program either individually or with your entire ministry group or family. The hope is that once a week, you meet and discuss your progress with someone else--it's a great way to stay on track! This is meant to be a growing experience, so if you miss one day, or fall short on another, the important thing is to KEEP GOING! Just pick up where you left off and continue your Lenten journey toward Christ.

If you choose to do this with a group, family or with a friend, here are some questions to help you get started in your discussion:

*How did you do that week?

*Were you able to do the readings?

*Did you accomplish the challenges?

*What was hard about this week's blog?

*What are some things that you can do to better prepare for the upcoming week?

Now -- I will give you a “pre-Lenten challenge” – this will help you prepare for entering “into the Desert”.

Challenge: Decide on an area where you can do the daily readings. In front of an icon, in your dorm room, sitting quietly outside in a park – wherever it may be – and as much as you can, use this “place” everyday. If you don’t have a special place, spend the next day deciding where this place will be.

Prayer, Fasting, & Almsgiving

Today we are going to take a look at three spiritual disciplines that we mentioned in the last post, Fasting, Prayer and Almsviging (Helping Others). Did Christ command these three things? What do they mean to us today?

Prayer

Sometimes when we think of prayer, our mind automatically goes to Sunday worship. Rather than looking at prayer as a once a week event, it should be something we strive to do all the time. Prayer is as essential to the Christian as food is to our own survival. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew writes, “Prayer is what ultimately reveals who we are in relation to God and other people. If we can pray, then we can talk to others; if we know how to pray, then we also know how to relate to others. Prayer is a mirror of the inner life.”Quite simply, prayer connects us to God and connects us to others. It is important to set aside time each day for prayer. Whether in the morning, afternoon or evening, make some private time from “the world” and begin a prayer rule. Remember -- slow and steady wins the race. Building a prayer rule can follow the same rules, smart small and add each day, week or month.

Fasting

Many people tend to approach fasting as a negative thing, depriving us of things we love... "No meat and dairy, what am I going to eat?!" It's time to think of fasting as what it was intended to be, a cleansing experience--it's not about food, it's about the way we live our daily life. St. John Chrysostom writes that the fast "should be kept not by the mouth alone but also by the eye, the ear, the feet, the hands and all the members of the body: the eye must abstain from impure sights, the ear from malicious gossip, the hands from acts of injustice."[1] In other words, fasting from food alone is merely a diet, it must be accompanied with prayer (both at home and at church) and constant monitoring of what comes in (internet, tv, gossip, etc) and out of your body(cruel words, actions, etc). Although the Church prescribes a strict fast for Great Lent, this is a very personal thing between you and your spiritual father or parish priest. If you have never fasted before, start slowly and add each day, week, or month, just like building up your prayer rule. . Talk to your priest for tips or advice in this area, as he will be able to offer great ideas about getting started.

Almsgiving

What the Lord did, we too should do! The Lord visited those in need, loved the unloved, and offered Himself to everyone. To be a Christian IS to serve...in serving others (not only strangers, but our loved ones as well) we both serve AND grow closer to God. After the Lord’s Supper, Jesus performed an act of humility and service to his closest friends by washing His Disciples feet. Following this great deed, Jesus tells His Disciples, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14) From this passage, we learn that it is our CALLING as Christians to serve others. St. Basil writes: "This is the reason we perform works of mercy: in order to receive back mercy from God” (St. Basil – page 105). We do these things in order to share in God's love that he shared with us, to love God as he loved us, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (John 13:34).

These three important "characteristics" will help us draw closer to Christ during this Lenten season. Throughout our 40 days, we will be coming back to these three things to help us on our journey enter Into the Desert.

[1] 6 Homilies on the Statues , iii, 3-4 (P.G. [PatroloOia Graeca] xlix, 51-3).

Into the Desert -- An Introduction

Each year, the Orthodox Church gives us a special 40-day period to prepare us for the Resurrection of our Lord, Pascha (Easter). This period called Holy and Great Lent and begins forty days before Holy Week (this year February 15, 2010). The Church asks us to pay extra special attention to our lives during this period, so that we may become closer to our Lord.

The number “40” is a powerful symbol in scripture: Noah built his ark when it rained for 40 days and 40 nights;[1]Moses spent 40 days and 40 nights on the mountain (Mount Sinai) when receiving the “Law from God” (the 10 Commandments);[2] Moses lead the Israelites in the wilderness for 40 years (searching for the Promised Land); Jesus spent 40 days and 40 nights fasting in the wilderness being tempted by the Devil[3].

Sometimes we approach this 40-day period with a lack of excitement or desire . . . and we think if it as a chore or a rule that we must follow. The 40-day fasting period is given to us not as “a rule” to follow, but as a “tool” to help us become closer to God. If we take the time to use these "tools" given to us, not only will we benefit spiritually, but we may actually enjoy the process!

During the forty-day period, the Church asks us to enhance our spiritual lives by doing three things: Pray, Fast and Almsgiving (this is a fancy word for helping others). We will go over these three things in detail in upcoming posts. For now, just remember that these three actions must be practiced together . . . they can't exist apart from each other.

The next few days will serve as an introduction to Into the Desert, laying out what we will try to accomplish, and preparing us for our journey, beginning on Clean Monday, February 15, 2010.



[1] Genesis, Chapters 6-9
[2] Exodus 24:18
[3] Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13