We have arrived at the “half-way point” of our Great Lenten
Journey, and the Church brings our attention solidly upon the Holy Precious and
Life-Giving Cross of our Lord. In the Gospel for the Third Sunday of Great Lent
we hear Jesus Christ challenge us to join Him on the Cross. “For whoever
desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and
follow Me.” (Mark 8:34) The life of every Christian is found in the Cross, both
the Cross of Christ and OUR cross which we carry through our daily struggles.
We know that anything of value is worth the hard work it
takes to achieve. A good crop, a well built house, a successful business –
these each are possible only with hard work and dedication. The same is true
with our spiritual life in Christ. If we desire a good outcome, it will require
hard work and dedication. That is why, half-way through Great Lent we hear the
words of Christ, “For whoever desires to save his life will lost it, but
whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will
it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?” (Mark
8.35-36)
It isn’t too late to dedicate the rest of your Great Lenten
Journey to the hard work it will take to prepare your soul to encounter Jesus
Christ in His glorious resurrection on Pascha when we will receive the eternal
Light and sing, “Christ is risen from the dead!” Embrace the struggle that is
Great Lent by fasting, increasing your prayer life, attending extra Church
services, and serving the poor. As Christ says, “What will a man give in
exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8.37)
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