Nothing is too hard to forgive

On this the last Sunday of the Great Fast, the Church invites us to take one final look at our sinfulness. Over the past nine weeks our eyes have been directed toward the ultimate goal of repentance and salvation. One does not take place without the other. Looking quickly at the Gospel lessons of the past nine weeks, we find those who were saved lived not for themselves but for God who were saved.

• Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee – It was the sinful tax collector…
• Sunday of the Prodigal Son – It was the sinful younger son…
• Sunday of Judgment – It was those who saw God in others…
• Sunday of Forgiveness – It was those who chose to forgive…
• Sunday of Orthodoxy – It was those who understood the Holy Scriptures…
• Sunday of Gregory Palamas – It was those who brought their friend to Christ…
• Sunday of the Holy Cross – It is those who willingly deny themselves and accept their cross…
• Sunday of St John Climicus – It was those who realized they needed God…
• Sunday of St Mary of Egypt – It was those who were willing to be last among their friends…

By now the Church expects that we have realized our sinfulness, admitted our mistakes, and chose to return to God and “take our lumps” with whatever God has planned for us. Some of us may be worried that our lives are not worthy of God’s forgiveness. Maybe some of us worry that our sins too big, or that we can’t possible change this late in life.

That is one blessing about the Great Fast. Today the Church brings our attention to one of the greatest sinners in the history of the Church. Mary of Egypt was a prostitute who was given a second chance by God. She devoted the remainder of her life to total repentance if God would allow her just a chance to enter the Church. After He allowed Mary to enter the Church, she left and spent the rest of her life in the dessert. Her repentance was so complete that even wild animals respected and reverence her body at the time of her death.

Your sins may not be as drastic as Mary of Egypt and you probably are not being called to live the rest of your life in the desert, but the fact remains. No matter how bad you think you may have sinned, it is not too late to repent and start fresh. It isn’t too late to return to God, schedule a confession and begin a new life dedicated to God and serving others. It is the whole witness of the Great Fast. We are asked to admit our sins, return to God, seek His forgiveness, and begin our new life free from the past’s sins. Nothing is too hard to forgive when it comes to God.

Here are today’s Readings:

Epistle Reading: St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 9:11-14 (RSV) - BRETHREN, when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
 Gospel Reading: Mark 10:32-45 (RSV) - At that time, Jesus taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles; and they will mock him, and spit upon him, and scourge him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise." And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him, and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." And he said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" And they said to him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant of James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
 

Sin is not of God

There are many times I hear people disregard the danger of sin, or even brush off sin as so common that it isn’t even worth trying to avoid. Statements such as, “Everyone sins,” or “I’m not a saint” are used to explain away sinful behavior all the time. But if you consider today’s Epistle Reading, maybe we would have a different perspective.

St. John's First Universal Letter 3:9-22 (RSV) - BRETHREN, no one born of God commits sin; for God's nature abides in him, and he cannot sin because he is born of God. By this it may be seen who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not do right is not of God, nor he who does not love his brother. For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, and not be like Cain who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous. Do not wonder, brethren, that the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death. Any one who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But if any one has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or speech but in deed and in truth. By this we shall know that we are of the truth, and reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and we receive from him whatever we ask.

If committing sin makes us a child of the devil, then we would NEVER brush off the chance to avoid sin. This year during Great Lent, take the chance to fight against sin. You may not always be successful, but at least you’ll be trying.

Sin is against God

Temptation and sin are an everyday experience, but it wasn’t always meant to be that way. Originally God created humanity to live in communion with Him under His protection, but our ancestors were led astray by the devil and his cunning ways. It began with the lie, “You will not surely die.” (Genesis 3.4) With these words the devil proved that he could not be trusted. But God had a plan to save us from ourselves and death. He understands our weakness. This is why said, “Temptations and sin are sure to come.” We can one the one hand be comforted that our Lord knew in advance that we would sin.

Then He said, “But woe to him by whom they come!” These words are more serious. WOE...isn’t just an insignificant expression. It is serious business to cause someone to sin. It is something that as a priest I consider every day. Are my actions, teachings, and guidance leading others toward God or toward sin? It is often easy to excuse away our behavior by rationalizing the behavior of others. But if we are honest, every day we cause others to sin. But it isn’t all bad news. There is always hope.

Since we all sin, and we are all tempted, the hope is our opportunity for repentance and God’s willingness to hear our confession, but that’s the “easy” (or at least easier) part. In Psalm 50 we pray, “Against You, You only have I sinned and done that which is evil in your sight.” If our sin is against God, and God commands us to forgive those who sin against us, that means He will forgive us. The difficult part is to understand that while we may “feel” the sin of others, their sin is really against God and we have no reason to hold any grudge or resentment against anyone. If OUR sin is only against God, then THEIR sin is also only against God. We really have no legitimate right to refuse to forgive anyone.

Just a bit to consider with today’s Gospel Reading

Luke 16:15-18; 17:1-4 (RSV) - The Lord said to the Jews who came to him, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts; for what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God. The law and the prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and every one enters it violently. But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away, than for one dot of the law to become void. Every one who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery." And he said to his disciples, "Temptations to sin are sure to come; but woe to him by whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung round his neck and he were cast into the sea, than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. Take heed to yourselves; if your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him; and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, and says, 'I repent,' you must forgive him."

Sin is Sin

I can’t believe what HE did!

Did you hear what SHE did?

OH MY! I wonder what THEY did!

In the world there are sinners and there are sinners. That’s right, we are all sinners. The problem is that we go around thinking “they” are worse sinners than “we” are, but consider today’s Gospel Reading:

Luke 13:1-9 (RSV) - At that time, there were some present who told Jesus of the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered thus? I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen upon whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." And he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, 'Lo, these three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down; why should it use up the ground?' And he answered him, 'Let it alone, sir, this year also, till I dig about it and put on manure. And if it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'"

There is no doubt that Jesus equates all sin as causing death. He also affirms that certain sins are no more sinful than others. They may actually be more dangerous and more difficult when it comes to repentance, but they are no worse. So if you are spending your time thinking that someone else’s sin is worse than yours, and therefore you are somehow better, think again....sin is sin.

That is why Christ gave the Church authority to forgive sin through the mystery of Holy Confession. Jesus said, “"If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." (John 20.23) He gave this authority to the Holy Apostles who gave it to their successors, our Bishops. Sin may be sin, but forgiveness defeats them both! Call your spiritual father and schedule a confession so he can forgive your sins and you can get a fresh start before Christmas!

Is it sinful to step back and let something happen?

The question of whether to step back and allow something to happen or to step in and get involved to stop an evil is a challenge with which Christians have been struggling since the first days of the Church. The witness of the Holy Scriptures, Holy Canon s and the Holy Fathers is consistent in the call for each Christian to take advantage of the free will given to us by God. Only when we remember that God has given us a free will to use for good can we grow closer to God in our choices.

 

A New Week; A not-so-new Journey

As we begin the second week of Great Lent, the readings from the Old Testament continue with the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise, something the Church just one week ago highlighted on Forgiveness Sunday. Here is the blog I wrote about Forgiveness Sunday and the importance of seeking forgiveness during Great Lent. If you haven’t been to confession in a while, this would be a good time to make an appointment with your spiritual father for Holy Confession.

Today Readings from Genesis 3:21-4:7 -  And the LORD God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins, and clothed them.  Then the LORD God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil; and now, lest he put forth his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever"- therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from which he was taken.  He drove out the man; and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.  Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, "I have gotten a man with the help of the LORD."  And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a tiller of the ground.  In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.  The LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry, and why has your countenance fallen?  If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is couching at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it."

As our readings continue in Genesis, I invite you first to consider the journey you are on this year. Have you sinned? We all have. It is because of sin that humanity now must struggle to stay alive outside the Garden. Do you struggle to keep the fast? We all struggle. It will be the struggle that helps you see your sin and urges you to repentance.

Secondly, I invite you to consider your fasting as an offering to God. Is your offering out of love or obligation? Cain made an offering to God out of obligation, while his brother Abel offered the best he had to God out of love. The Lord accepted the offering of Abel rather than Cain, which cause great anger in Cain. If you are fasting out of obligation, without love for God, then as the Lord warned Cain, “Sin is crouching at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it.”

This week, you are bound to encounter more emotion in regard to the fast. You will begin to ask yourself why those around you are not fasting, but they don’t seem any less blessed AND they get to enjoy their steak sandwich. You may find yourself getting angry that YOU are being obedient and YOU should be rewarded. Why are YOU struggling? Is it worth it? That will be the moment you need to re-read our Genesis lesson today, and pray you don’t fall victim to the anger as did Cain. Ask the Lord to take away your anger, and replace it with His peace. Fortunate for you, you are on the same journey as millions of other Orthodox Christians this year, and hundreds of millions over the centuries.

Don’t give up! It is only a new week; it is a not-so-new journey.

Have a blessed Lent,

Father Athanasios

Meat....Meat....Everywhere I Look I See Meat!

By the end of yesterday I think I had seen every possible advertisement or commercial for meat in existence. Even watching a program about sensory perception, I found bacon sizzling and hamburgers falling from the sky. I think I was surrounded by meat yesterday. I think most people who fast were; it’s just part of the process.

Of course there is no anti-Orthodox Christian conspiracy that places more meat advertising in front of our faces during the Fast, but it is interesting how much our attention is drawn to the meat. It REALLY IS A GIFT when we fast. When we are making a conscious decision to avoid a particular behavior, in this case eating meat, we tend to be more aware of the temptation that surrounds us. The blessing from fasting comes not in the improved cholesterol, though it is a side benefit, but in the increased awareness of our surroundings.  Even throughout the year with the Wednesday/Friday fast, we must first remain aware of what day it is before we can keep the fast.

When we practice this awareness of our surroundings, THEN we can focus on the other sins and temptations that also surround us. You could say that fasting is like turning off the TV when we hear a noise in the night. It allows our attention to focus better. And for that I’m willing to go without bacon until May 1^st.

Don’t worry, soon you will forget about meat and start seeing the other sins and temptations that were always surrounding you. You just couldn’t see them before. THIS YEAR you can focus on fighting some of those in your life.....your soul will thank you.

The Church is above politics

Today’s Epistle Reading: St. Peter's First Universal Letter 4:12-19; 5:1-5 - BELOVED, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which comes upon you to prove you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice in so far as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or a wrongdoer, or a mischiefmaker; yet if one suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but under that name let him glorify God. For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? And "if the righteous man is scarcely saved, where will the impious and sinner appear?" Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will do right and entrust their souls to a faithful Creator. So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ as well as a partaker in the glory that is to be revealed. Tend the flock of God that is your charge, not by constraint but willingly, not for shameful gain but eagerly, not as domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd is manifested you will obtain the unfading crown of glory. Likewise you that are younger be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

It’s political season, not that it really changes my thought for today, but since the Pope spoke about Trump’s “status” as a Christian, pundits have not shied away from either praising or condemning the Pope for his remarks. My post today has NOTHING specifically to do with Donald Trump, but everything to do with how the world speaks about the role of the Church. My comments today also are neither supportive nor against the Pope or Donald Trump.

The reality is that the Church is called by God, among other reasons, to be the conscience of the world. When the world is moving in the wrong direction, the Church must speak the truth of Christ. So long as the Church’s positions are supportive of our opinions, we tend to thank the Church for the support. But when the Church teaches something with which we disagree, then HOW DARE THE CHURCH get involved.

In today’s reading, Saint Peter calls the elders (the Priests and Bishops) of the Church to “tend the flock of God that is in your charge.” A shepherd loves his sheep, and would die for his sheep, But he also is willing to correct his sheep and steer his sheep away from danger. I often get the impression that the world would prefer a shepherd that only coddles his sheep. The Church is regularly reminded to love the sinner, but (as I have noticed) rarely does that include correcting poor behavior for the good of the sinner. If a sheep is headed for the ravine, does the shepherd not do anything in his power to protect the sheep?

Loving the sinner doesn’t have to mean endorsing the sin. In fact, it shouldn’t ever mean endorsement of sin. But likewise, calling something sin is not the same as judgment either. When the Church speaks out against behavior, even though leaders of the Church are ‘just as guilty’ as others, it doesn’t make the Church hypocritical; it reminds us that we are all sinners in need of God’s mercy.

Being in need of God’s mercy also doesn’t mean the Church has no authority to teach the truth of Christ. People many times quote the story of the woman caught in adultery found in John 8.1-11, as a defense against ANYONE telling them their behavior is wrong. But this is NOT what Christ said. The prohibition against judgment is  not the same thing as discernment. Calling a behavior a sin isn’t condemnation. Christ called acknowledged the behavior was sinful. And saying only God judges does not mean we are not called to identify sin. If anything it is supposed to mean we should be more merciful since we too are guilty of sin.

As the political season worsens, my advice is to be cautious of using the Church in your political battles. The Church is above politics, but that doesn’t mean the Church shouldn’t speak the truth of God when it is needed.

Fruit of the Spirit or the devil?

Today’s Epistle Reading: St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 5:22-26; 6:1-2 - Brethren, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law.  And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.  Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one another.  Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.  Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted.  Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Especially during these “holidays” when materialism and commercialism beckons around every corner, we should be convicted by today’s reading from Galatians. Just how do we expect to “have crucified the flesh” if we are not willing to fast during these days when the world is celebrating? I hear sometimes, “We’re supposed to celebrating the holidays, and now you’re telling me I should fast. How am I supposed to do that? Everyone will think I’m weird.” AS IF we place more value in the opinions of strangers on the street than whether our soul is in fact bearing the fruit of the spirit. Think of it for a moment...self-conceit, provoking one another, envy of one another....aren’t these the exact sins we encounter during the holidays? Aren’t these the exact sins that we drain our soul of joy? The reason is simple really. The world, being led astray by the devil, seeks to draw us more into our selfish desires rather than focus upon God. If the devil can use our friends, coworkers, neighbors and family members to shame us into going with the flow of society, we will not bear fruit of the Spirit, but fruit of the devil. Something to think about while you’re out shopping for that ‘perfect gift’ this weekend.

If it hurts it might be your pride

Today’s Gospel Reading: Luke 10:19-21 - The Lord said to his disciples, "Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will."

Jesus promised the disciples that nothing would hurt them, but as we know only one of the original twelve died of “natural” causes. The rest were martyrs. We became His disciples and people hurt every day, physically and emotionally. What did Jesus mean when He promised that nothing would hurt us?

I received a note from someone recently asking advice on how to respond to a situation when they were hurt. The person asked, “In orthodoxy we are taught to turn the other cheek when someone strikes us.  I have followed this throughout my young life however now I wonder if there was something more to that?” YES, there’s always more to the story. The idea of turning the other cheek is more about US than the person who hurt us. Let me explain.

We pray in the 50^th Psalm, “Against You only have I sinned.” If our sin is only against God, then the sins of others are also only against God, even though we may feel the action. The call to turn the other cheek is to guide us into NOT taking personally the sinful actions of others. In fact, it is our sinful pride that we think that any sin could be against us, because in our mind it is ALWAYS about us. We must remember the context of the “turn the other cheek” command of God. (see Matthew 5.39) Jesus is helping us to resist evil. Among the turn the other cheek commands are the following commands:

" You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' "But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. "If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. "And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. "Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. " You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, "that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. "For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? "And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5.38-48)

So what is it that hurts when someone sins? Our pride is hurt, and that then becomes our sin. What about the physical pain we feel from others? Jesus said, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10.28) The only damage done when someone hurts us physically, if we hold off our pride, is a simple flesh wound. Flesh wounds might hurt for the moment, but they heal. We often think the WORST possible thing someone can do to us, from our earthly vantage point, is to kill us. That ultimately is what Jesus wants us to understand from today’s reading. EVEN if they kill us, that doesn’t hurt us because Jesus has conquered death. We will live forever with Him. What will hurt much more ‘later’ is the hell we created by pride and our own sinful passions. 

The Difference between Tolerance and Endorsement in Politics

I often wonder why so many people advocate for the very behaviors they claim to oppose. This has become quite prevalent with the recent SCOTUS decision on marriage. For the hours that followed the ruling, all I could see were rainbows throughout the Internet. Most disappeared after a couple days, but I continue to be intrigued by the rainbow profile pictures that remain. And then it occurred to me.

In our contemporary society, we have lost not only the ability, but I believe the desire, to disagree with others publicly for fear that we may be “called out” on our own sins. So long as we share the common moral of a group, we don’t mind expressing our beliefs. But once our beliefs are in conflict, for fear of not being liked, we hide our beliefs under the cloak of fairness and tolerance. We “get on board” with political movements with phrases such as, “I don’t personally believe in gay marriage, but who am I to say it’s wrong for others?” There ceases to be a willingness to say, “I think it is wrong. PERIOD!” Unfortunately I believe, once we join the effort to support those with whom we disagree, we cross the line into endorsement, if even outwardly.

And that is where I am intrigued. How can you advocate for a behavior or belief which you do not accept? In case you were wondering......changing your Facebook profile to a rainbow IS a statement that you agree with same-sex marriage. If you don’t, then why publicly advocate? You may very well, as do I, believe that every human being has been granted free will by God to believe and act in any way, but there IS a difference between accepting free will and advocating for certain behaviors.

The issue of tolerance vs. endorsement isn’t limited to sexuality. It still is possible to say, “Same-sex marriage is wrong. You don’t have to agree with me, and you are free to do what you wish, but it is wrong.” It is just as easy to say, “Greed is wrong. You can chase the almighty dollar all you want, but it’s wrong.” Or you can say, “Lashing out against others in anger, and forcing them to do as you desire is wrong. You can be lash out all you want, but its wrong.” You can EVEN say, “I believe in One God, Father Almighty....etc. You may not, but I do.” See? It works with any belief or behavior.

If we are going to honor our faith in Jesus Christ, the time is past that we should stop advocating for sinful behaviors, and we should begin advocating for a life dedicated to living according to God’s desire for us.  In Orthodoxy, that means being dedicated to defeating our passions, not soothing them. It DOESN’T mean one sin is worse than another. It doesn’t mean we are without sin. It simply means that as Orthodox Christians, we tolerate other’s choices to sin, but we cannot endorse them. 

Don’t Confuse Permission with Approval

On the second Sunday of the Triodion, the Church calls our attention to the Parable of the Prodigal Son, and the beauty of repentance. In the story, just to remind you, the younger son felt that he deserved his inheritance early, before his father’s death. He approached his father and said, “Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.” (Luke 15.12) The father gave the son permission to take his inheritance and journey “to a far country,” in which he wasted every last penny on sinful living. In the deepest depth of sin and despair, the son realizes his mistake and chooses to return to his father and beg for a job. The father not only welcomes him home, he, “had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.” (Luke 15.20)

While the son was away, the father waited and watched for him to return. He had given his permission for the son to leave, but never approved of the life the son had chosen to live. That is the love of a father, who knowing certain choices are wrong and dangerous, still allows his son to walk away from him. All the while, the son, thinking he was free from his father’s control, lived according to his own choices. But the father, while not approving of the son’s choices, never gave up hope for the son’s return.

God give us the same permission to live according to our choices. He doesn’t always approve of those choices, but He allows them hoping that we will choose to return to Him, as the Prodigal Son returned. With the coming of Great Lent, we are given an opportunity to CHOOSE to return to God’s way of life, and be restored to our original glory. But before we can return, we must first realize that just because God allows us choices, doesn’t mean He approves of the choices we make.

A Story of Two Visions

In the Parable of the Publican and the Pharisee, we hear the story of two visions. Each man had a vision, but only one man had the proper vision. Each man was in Church, but only one man had the vision to see God. Each man was a sinner, but only one man had the vision to see their own sins. One man could see the sins of others, but it was the other man who went away justified. It was the Publican who had the vision to see his own heart needed to be healed by God. It was the Publican who had the vision to beg God for mercy.

Life is about vision; not physical vision, but vision of the heart. The Pharisee, the righteous man who obeyed the law, used his vision; but he could only see the sins of others, even thanking God that he was not like all those other sinners. The Publican, a man of sin, also used his vision; but he was able to see his own sin. Two visions; one saved the sinner, while the other condemned the righteous.

You also have vision? Do you use your vision to see the sins of others, or do you use your vision to see your own sins? Do you use your vision to look into your heart and beg God for mercy, or do you use your vision to look into the lives of others, and thank God you’re not like “all those other” sinners? You also have two visions; one will save you, while the other will condemn you.

Which vision will you use?

Your Sins are Forgiven

It goes without saying that the trials of life can weigh a person down. As every day passes, the weight of each small sin and mistake, takes its toll on our backs as we feel our burdens heavy upon our shoulders. Bent over under all the pressure, we just can’t seem to find the strength to look up at God and sing His praise. We may even be ashamed by some of our decisions in life, and we can’t lift ourselves up without God’s healing touch. We all enjoy hearing the words, “Your sins are forgiven,” from our Lord, and we all desire even more the healing touch of our Lord’s hand. Thankfully He has given us His Church and the Holy Sacraments through which we can feel His touch, and through the hands of our Father Confessor, we can not only feel God’s Grace, we can hear the words, “Your sins are forgiven,” and we can finally lift our eyes to God and give Him praise and thanks.

You Can’t Get There by Yourself

We live in a society that prides itself on independence. The very fabric of our great Nation is woven by the threads of self-government and self-accomplishments. Awards are given for “Man of the Year”, not “Group of the Year.” But we all know there are just some times we need help. There are just some things we can’t do by ourselves.

In the Gospel of Luke we hear, “There was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up.” (Luke 13.11)) It wasn’t until Jesus reached out His hand, touched her, and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity,” (Luke 13.12) that she was able to stand straight and praise God.

So many times, we are weighed down by the burdens of life so much that it is all we can do to ‘get through the day’ let alone raise ourselves up and look upward toward Heaven. When we spend our time bent over staring at the ground, even the joy of birds singing can pass us by. We know we need help, but we either can’t admit it, or we don’t know how to get help. Thankfully for us, God STILL reaches His hand to us, through His Church, and touches us and looses us from our infirmity. Jesus Christ has given us His Church to help raise us up and praise God.

Turning to the Church Jesus said, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” (John 20.23) The Church has reached out her hand to us through the Mystery of Holy Confession so that we can hear the words, “Your sins are forgiven,” and we will be loosed from our infirmity and we can be raised up to praise God. But we can’t get there by ourselves; we need the Church.

Being Convicted by the Gospel

The Gospel of Christ is a comfort to sinners but can convict the righteous. The invitation of Christ for all sinners to join Him at the Table, is a comfort to when acknowledge our sinfulness, but it is should also convict us to repentance. Christ has given us His Church as therapy to draw closer to Jesus Christ, yet many who claim to believe, do not embrace the way of life in the Church. If you truly desire to draw closer to God, then be comforted that He has welcomed you to His Table, but be convicted and embrace the way of life He has given to you for repentance. Draw near to God.

The Forgiveness Challenge

With all the commotion making its way through the internet lately about the “ALS Ice Bucket Challenge” it planted an idea in my mind. What if we all took the “Forgiveness Challenge” instead? It requires no money. It requires no cold water. It requires no internet or social networking account. It requires only your desire to forgive everyone who sins against you EVEN IF they cannot repay you for what they have done.

In the Gospel of Matthew, we hear the ultimate “Forgiveness Challenge” explained. “’Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18.21-22) This is followed by the parable of forgiveness (Matthew `18.23-35) which includes a king (God), a servant (you) and another servant (someone else). The king has called all his servants to settle their accounts with him, but in the face of not being able to repay the king, the servant (that’s you) begs to be given more time. The king, moved by compassion, forgives the entire debt. However the servant (that’s you again) refuses to do the same for the other servant (that’s someone else) so he is thrown into debtors prison (that’s hell) until he repays the debt, which we already know he cannot do.

Jesus “called you out” for the ultimate “Forgiveness Challenge” when He says, “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” (Matthew 18.35) You have 24 hours to complete this challenge or risk a lot worse than a bucket of ice water.

Don’t You Think It’s Time We Take Responsibility for Ourselves?

Ever since Adam and Eve refused responsibility for their disobedience of God, (See Genesis 3.12-13) the “stain of original sin” has plagued each of us. We each have inherited a fallen world in which we EACH have a proclivity toward sin. We can’t seem to avoid it. Even Saint Paul acknowledged this “war inside” of us in which we do that which do not wish to do, and don’t do that which we wish to do. (See Romans 7.15-25)

So, when will we finally learn to take responsibility for our sins? Many people are of the opinion that their sins do not affect the “greater society” with all the talk of so-called victimless crimes. BUT the reality is that our sins DO have an effect on others. Just consider the recent recall of GRACO infant seats. In an article today, it was announced that GRACO “gave in” to pressure to include the infant seats in a recall because “Buckles can get gummed up by food and drinks, and that could make it hard to remove children.” The article STATES “The company says there have been no injuries reported because of the problem.” So let me get this correct......NOBODY has been hurt, but because some parents don’t clean their infant and car seats, food and drink “gum up” the buckles so the COMPANY has to spend millions to replace dirty buckles? PLEASE!

I’m not against product safety standards. I’m not even against reasonable oversight, but in THIS case we’re not talking about straps that didn’t safely restrain children or infants in accidents. How much you want to bet that the “new buckle design” will eventually be found not strong enough because it had to be altered to accommodate parents “lack of cleaning habits?”

Now before you get all “we have to protect our children” on me, you must understand this post isn’t about child safety, nor is about government agencies. It IS about personal responsibility. When we sin, we MUST stop trying to pass the buck. Our friends can’t make us sin. The most relaxed safety standards can’t make us sin. Even the devil can’t make us sin. WE SIN, and it’s about time we take responsibility for our behavior.

Christ understood this when He granted the Church authority to forgive sins. The Church understood this when it commanded the confessor to fully consider the heart of the penitent in “meting out mercy.” That is the gift of Holy Confession. WE take responsibility for our sin, and engage in a life of repentance to grow ever closer to Christ.

Take responsibility for your sin, and schedule Holy Confession with your Priest TODAY!

The Purpose of Great Lent

Great Lent is just a few days away, and the Church reminds us today of the purpose of the coming fast.

“Now, therefore," says the LORD, "Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning." (Joel 2.12)

Though we have already begun our fast from meat, the Church still urges us to a deeper appreciation for the coming fast as a time for repentance. The themes over the recent weeks have caused us to reflect upon the condition of our hearts. We are not the human beings God desires us to be – NONE OF US – and the sooner we realize that we must repent and return to a Godly life, the better our hearts will be prepared to meet the Lord when He comes into His Kingdom.

Repentance is more than just a matter of our mind. It isn’t sufficient to merely stop hording our goods, we must share them with others. It isn’t sufficient to merely stop hating others, we must love them. It isn’t sufficient to merely say we forgive others; we must avoid the grudge in our hearts. True repentance requires a physical response to the Love that we CHOOSE to fill our hearts.

As the Prophet Joel continues…

So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm. (Joel 2.13)

Are you ready for Great Lent? It’s almost time to begin your journey of repentance.

When Things Get Out of Control

If you are reading this, you might have something in your life that you think might be out of control. We all have something, so don’t panic. Don’t think you’re alone. But, if you have come to the point in your life, when you realized that something had to change, now is your chance. God is waiting for you to turn yourself around and return to Him and His way of life in His Church. He is waiting to restore you to your original glory. What are you waiting for?

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