Posts
Dear Parish Faithful,
The First Week of Great Lent is quite remarkable, especially in its unique liturgical services. I strongly urge everyone to make it to at least one of the services for this week. I also urge parents to do the same with their children, at least those of school age and up. Make the appropriate plans, even at the expense of “convenience.”
It is good for the impressionable souls of your children to experience the Lenten worship of the Church. In the Church we encounter God and not mammon. We are losing the battle with cell phones, twitters, TV sitcoms, “American idols” and the rest in our “spend and entertain yourselves at all times and at all costs don’t be silent or still for one second go for it and don’t slow down for anything including God culture.” There are times that we must say NO to that and keep our focus on God. Great Lent is that time. Or, as the Apostle Paul said: “Redeem the time, for the days are evil.” (EPH. 5:16) Your next-door neighbor may or may not have the Church to bring holiness, virtue and basic human decency into their lives – but you do!
It is good for the impressionable souls of your children to experience the Lenten worship of the Church. In the Church we encounter God and not mammon. We are losing the battle with cell phones, twitters, TV sitcoms, “American idols” and the rest in our “spend and entertain yourselves at all times and at all costs don’t be silent or still for one second go for it and don’t slow down for anything including God culture.” There are times that we must say NO to that and keep our focus on God. Great Lent is that time. Or, as the Apostle Paul said: “Redeem the time, for the days are evil.” (EPH. 5:16) Your next-door neighbor may or may not have the Church to bring holiness, virtue and basic human decency into their lives – but you do!
Actually, before we get to Monday evening, participating in Forgiveness Vespers and the rite of forgiveness is a blessed way to begin the Lenten season. Forgiveness Vespers begins after some refreshments following the Liturgy.
Fr. Steven
Fr. Steven
