A short refection on the first Sunday of Great Lent: Triumph of Orthodoxy.
The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”
Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip.
What do I write?.....What do I write? I have sat in front of my computer of a good 45 minutes with a monkey slamming the cymbals in my head. A scene that people of my era can recall; episodes from the Simpsons when Homer stares into nothingness - only this monkey is playing in his mind. No, but in all honesty, I was blank!
Then I thought to myself, the one thing that I often write about that most people can relate to; if not sympathise with, is children. The ones who Christ say to never prevent to approach Him and the ones who He also instruct us to become like in order to enter the Kingdom of heaven!
Having stated thus, presbytera and I have been encouraging all our children to become more active when it comes to our faith, especially when we are at home. Over the past few years we have been a bit too relaxed with our girls, primarily due to their extremely young age. However, now they are old enough to understand why we do certain things. For example, the sign of the cross; three fingers representing the Holy Trinity and the other two for the dual natures of Christ Divine and human.
Thus, as parents by teaching our children and the young generation the true Apostolic faith, we are doing what our Holy ancestors have done for the past 2025 years. We by the Grace of the All-Holy-Trinity are keeping the faith alive in the name that is above all other names Jesus Christ!
When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” Jn 1:47-49
On the first Sunday of Great Lent the Church commemorates the feast of the Triumph of Orthodoxy; when holy icons were once again allowed to be venerated after a hundred years (746AD - 842AD) of persecution by the heretics of the time. In the year 843AD Saint Theodora and her son Emperor Michael publicly venerated holy icons with the clergy; further decreeing that by kissing, bowing and crossing ones self in front of a Holy icon, we are simply venerating the true prototype of the person depicted - not worshiping a painting!
Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.” Jn 1:50-51
Having stated thus, in a not so extreme way, by parents ensuring the faith is passed down onto their children, they are doing as Saint Theodora did 1182 years ago; keeping the faith alive. In Matthews Gospel Jesus says - Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. Mt 5:15
Hence, Jesus is the light that pierces through the darkness and will continue to shine on and reach generation to generation for all of eternity!
I pray we all have a Holy Great Lent and grow to our full potential in Christ Jesus. I will leave you now with the prayer of Saint Ephraim. This prayer is used during Great lent and can be a great tool and aid to our spiritual growth.
O Lord and Master of my life, take from me a spirit of despondency, sloth, love of money, and idle talk.
Prostration
But give to me, your servant, a spirit of sober-mindedness, humility, patience, and love.
Prostration
Yes, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own sins and not to judge my brother, since you are blessed to the ages. Amen.
Prostration
Through the prayers of the Holy Theotokos, Lord Jesus Christ our God have mercy on us and save us. Amen
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