Great
Lent: A Faithful Pilgrim's Progress
Christian is one who is in Christ. The faithful is always in a journey. This
journey has been likened to the journey of the Israel to the promised land
from the crutches of Pharaoh. The entry of Heavenly Church necessitates a
journey which all faithful has to traverse and it is more or less a
pilgrim’s progress in his spiritual journey. The road map to this journey
has been beautifully portrayed allegorically by the Holy Fathers of Syrian
Christian Church by means of theologically preparing the prayers, readings
and concepts concerning the Great Lent. Needless to say, the theological
craftwork done by these doctors and visionaries is meticulous and stuns even
the medical world in knowing the intricacies of science and its principles.
Reflections
on Lenten Prayers
When I started to use the Lenten prayer some years ago I was baffled by the
often repetitious and somewhat jumbled nature of these lengthy prayers. It
took me some time to get to grips with these prayers. I now understand and
appreciate the deep meaning I find in these prayers and so am recording my
thoughts, in the hope that it may benefit some younger members who may have
had similar difficulties.
The
Lenten Prayer of St Ephrem the Syrian
Why does this short and simple prayer occupy such an
important position in the entire lenten worship? Because it enumerates
all the "negative" and "positive" elements of repentance and constitutes a "check list" for our individual lenten
effort. This effort is aimed first at our liberation from some
fundamental spiritual diseases which shape our life and make it
virtually impossible for us even to start turning ourselves to God.
What shall we do
then? True Repentance
Speeches and sermons are in abundance, exhortations are close to the
ears, conventions are competitive, and pulpits are live with theology; yet
the cry of the broken heart is not to be heard today. The concept of sin
consciousness is overtaken by superfluous spirituality and confession has
become a ritual formality.
The Last Judgment
No one is so patient and so merciful as God, but even He does not forgive
those who do not repent. The God of love is also a God of righteousness, and
when Christ comes again in glory, He will come as our Judge. This is the
message of Lent to each of us: turn back while there is still time, repent
before the End comes.
Lenten Prayers
- My Experience
When I started living away from my family for my higher studies, daily
prayers that was engrained in me as a deep rooted habit by then, remained
with me, and provided me with much needed refuge and strength.
Fasting is good for
heart and long life
Fasting is a branch of science, not necessarily be a religious teaching. It
is good to the heart because the heart is the nerve centre of life.
Lent or Dieting ????
The first thing that comes to our minds when we hear the word Lent
is, "What am I going to give up this year?" However giving up something is only
a small aspect of lent. Lent is a battle to defeat Satan and his mischievous
temptations.
Great Lent: O
Holy and Salvific Great Lent, come in Peace
What is the basic message of lent or the goal that we have to achieve by
observing this fast? Through Lenten prayers, the Church Fathers teach us
that the goal of Lent is a complete transformation from all the powers
of evil to the perfect Love of God.
Fasting is good for heart
and long life
As a principle for spiritual preparation, if one fasts before receiving
Holy Eucharist in empty stomach it is good for health of mind, body and
spirit. Observe the Holy
Lent with proper fasting, prayer and humility for the blessing of you, your
family and the church.
Do
You Fast?
According to St. John Chrysostom, fasting is not just forsaking
food. It is what you do that counts.
Why
Should We Observe the Lent and Fasting?
We should keenly look forward to the Lent- because the purpose of Prayer
& Fasting is to defeat the Satan.
A Different Approach to Fasting
Lenten fasts have a tendency to be oriented toward things like giving
up food or television. But there are many other creative ways we can
welcome Jesus' healing touch this Lent.
On Fasting
Fasting is a medicine. But medicine, as beneficial as it is, becomes useless because of the inexperience of the user.
Why
Should We Observe the Lent and Fasting?
We should keenly look forward to the Lent- because the purpose of Prayer
& Fasting is to defeat the Satan.
On Prayer
It is customary since ancient times for the Patriarch of Antioch to issue a lengthy encyclical for the Great Lent exhorting the faithful to observe the lent in its true spirit.
Here is one on prayer.
The Great Lent- An Opportunity for Us to Cleanse Our Mind, Body and Soul
While confessing, repenting and seeking forgiveness, we too should prepare ourselves to forgive others. In that way, let us get rid of all the ill-feelings from our mind and purify it, so that the heavenly peace can enter our hearts and stimulate us, to lead a true Christian life.
True Nature of Fasting
The primary aim of fasting is to make us conscious of our dependence
upon God. It is to lead us to a sense of inward brokenness and contrition; to
bring to us to the point where we appreciate the full force of Christ's
statement, `Without Me you can do nothing.'
Synopsis for Sermons and Meditations During the Lenten
Period
A great tool to help us cleanse ourselves of our hurtfulness. Covers faith, love, forgiveness, repentance, mercy, and more.
St. John Chrysostom on Fasting
