May at St. John's...

The Great Journey to Pascha began with the Sunday of Zacchaeus and his desire to see Christ; and continued with the Publican and the Pharisee with a test of Humility;  the Prodigal Son, a lesson in reconciliation;   the Last Judgment and the Sunday of Forgiveness.

 

We travelled through the Sunday of Orthodoxy and the raising up of the Icons in the year 843 after the heresy of iconoclasm was overcome.  We heard about St. Gregory Palamas and his method of prayer for the Hesychast monks that allowed them to participate in God’s love.  He stated that man can become divine through the grace of God in the Holy spirit; and that, even in this life through prayer and fasting, human beings can become participants of the light of God’s divine glory.   We bowed down before the Cross of Christ, a symbol of healing and sacrifice,  and sang “Behold!  Through the Cross joy has come into all the world.”  It reminded us of Christ’s redemption and kept  before us the goal of our efforts.  We learned “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might” from St. John  Climacus who outlined the steps essential for attaining communion with God. He recommended the invocation of the name of Jesus in prayer as a valuable spiritual tool.    In time the invocation of Jesus’ name became the important Orthodox prayer “The Jesus Prayer” -  Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me a sinner.   We listened to the life of St. Mary of Egypt who having recognized her sinfulness, sought to bring about an essential change in her life.  She tells us that it is never too late in life to repent.  Christ will gladly receive all who come to Him even at the eleventh hour of their lives.  But their coming must be in serious and sincere repentance. 

 

On Palm Sunday we gave out willows and palms as  reminders of Jesus who rode into Jerusalem after raising up Lazarus from death.  Silently and sorrowfully we heard of the betrayal, judging and passion of the Son of God and cried as He whispered, “It is finished.”

 

And then, on Pascha, with joy, we worshiped Our Christ Jesus and celebrated His Resurrection and cried aloud., “Christ is Risen!  Indeed He is Risen!” 

 

How fortunate we are to have the chance to experience this spiritual and poignant season.  And so we pray:  “We, unworthy recipients of Thy benefits and gifts, as unprofitable servants dare to turn to Thee, O Master, bringing Thee thanks, and glorifying and hymning Thee, the Benefactor and Creator:  Glory to Thee, O most bountiful God.”