Great Lent is Time for Your Renewal

 

Lent is an amazing time for transformation, and yet many people let this wonderful opportunity pass them by.  With life at today speeds that are unhealthy physically and spiritually, we need to put on the brakes, take a deep breath and focus on what life is really all about.

 

Life without Christ is lost; with Him you find your own true life

Life without prayer is real loneliness; prayer is our interaction with God

Life without Church lacks fulfillment; Church fulfills who we are as people,

 

Life with Christ is the only way we can live a truly fulfilled life,

Life with Christ becomes prayer and interaction with God,

Life with Christ is being part of the Church Militant and the Church Triumphant,

 

What are you going to do during this Great Lent?  When asked, many of our non-Orthodox friends who do fast say “Oh, well I am giving up Chocolate for Lent.” Is that what we need to do as Orthodox?  Stay away from one item for 40 days?  Of course not!  Lent is time for us to renew our life, straighten the path towards Christ through Repentance, Confession, Fasting, Prayer Services, Alms Giving and Spiritual Reflection.  When we fast, we need to fast from cruel words, harsh actions and sinful desires.

 

When was the last time you read the Bible?  This is the time to start reading scripture!  Reread the story of Christ’s life. What a glorious opportunity Christ has given us to take time and focus on the Passion of Christ so we may truly rejoice in the exclamation of the Resurrection: “Christ is Risen!”

 

Take this opportunity for renewal and change and let Christ transform your life this Great and Holy Lent.

 

In Christ’s Love,

Fr Ted Toppses