Lent May Not Be Easy...

Whatever Christian tradition you follow, Orthodox, Roman or Protestant, it is now Lent. Many of you are thinking of the thing or things you "give up." The word lent is an ancient word for Spring, the time of renewal and rebirth. So perhaps we're not giving up anything. Perhaps we're gaining.

Consider this: If you give up certain foods, you learn to control the appetites of the flesh rather than to be controlled by them. That’s freedom, my friends. But it’s not just about fasting. After all, the demons don’t eat – and they gain nothing from the fast. Not that fasting isn’t important. The fall came when Adam and Eve broke the fast and ate the only item they were to fast from. So what are we to do? How do we convert this “giving up” into spiritual growth, into a greater relationship with Christ?

St. John Chrysostom had a few thoughts on this. Named the Archbishop of Constantinople just as the fifth century was just about to dawn, I like to picture him preaching to a full church. The congregants would have included peasants, merchants and even the emperor. It didn’t matter one’s earthly station, the goal was (and is) communion with Christ.

Do you fast?

Give me proof of it by your works.

If you see a poor man, take pity on him.

If you see a friend being honored, do not envy him.

Do not let only your mouth fast, but also the eye, and the ear, and the feet, and the hands, and all the members of our bodies.

Let the hands fast, by being free of avarice.

Let the feet fast, by ceasing to run after sin.

Let the eyes fast, by disciplining them not to glare at that which is sinful …

Let the ear fast … by not listening to evil talk and gossip …

Let the mouth fast from foul words and unjust criticism. For what good is it if we abstain from birds and fishes, but bite and devour our brothers?

And that might be the greatest fast of all, from biting and devouring our brothers. Giving up our grudges, forgiving those around us, loving those whom we feel don’t deserve it – even our enemies as Jesus taught. And if you wait for your anger to subside before forgiving someone, you haven’t truly forgiven them at all. True forgiveness comes when it is hard to do so. True love comes when it is hard to love. We are not all called to be nailed to a cross and forgive those who hold the hammers and nails. But that is the example we are called to follow. And how can we ever be like Christ if we can’t take a few weeks of Spring to let go of earthly things? To even take those steps in His direction?

St. John Chrysostom pray for us as we struggle to grow closer to our lord!