Dear all.
Gospel reading
Yesterday’s gospel (Matthew 6:14 – 21), of Cheesefare Sunday, together with the gospel reading of the previous day (Matthew 6:1-13) prepares us for the coming struggle of great Lent which commenced today. The emphasis of these two readings are on prayer, forgiveness, fasting and focusing on the things that really matter in this world.
The struggle goes on at this time is within a person. The ascetic and interior journey is towards spiritual growth to Christ. We are given by Christ the gift of the Lord’s prayer as the quintessential means of glorifying the Father. We are reminded that God knows what we need before we ask him. So, the purpose of prayer is to give thanks to the Lord for He is good and his steadfast love endures forever (Ps 107 : 1).
We are told to fast but the fast relates to all areas of human activity. Fasting limits certain aspects of our freedom. It gives us pause and makes us think and reflect upon the enormity of the struggle and the purpose of that struggle as we aspire to salvation. The limitation of food and types of food is part of that struggle. The tragedy is that most of us have reduced the sum total of our struggle to reading the ingredient lists on products in the supermarket shelf to see whether they are “fasting” or not.
Forgiveness is part of the struggle we need to engage in during this Lenten season. It is sobering to note that unless we are prepared to forgive those who have caused us hurt then our Father will not forgive us. You see, forgiveness requires to accept as satisfaction an apology. The focus of forgiveness is on how the Father forgives us – and the Father forgives us if we forgive others in the name of Christ.
This brings us to a great truism uttered by Christ: “for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (6:21). To those who aspire for wealth, wealth creation will be their focus. To those who aspire for fame they will focus upon getting notoriety for themselves. The list goes on and on. Simply put, everybody focuses on the thing that interest them. The question for you and me during this period of Lent is do we focus upon the things of God or the things of mammon. This is the season of decision for you and for me.
Programme for this week
I attach the programme for great Lent. As you can see it is a rich programme of liturgical service. The reason for this is that we are now preparing ourselves for Holy week. May the Lenten journey of each and every one of us bring us closer to Christ.
Thought for the week
The purpose of Lent is not to give material things up. The purpose of Lent is to gather spiritual things which are given in abundance to those who know that their treasure is their faith in Jesus Christ.
Till next time.
In Christ.
Father John Athanasiou – 0411 061 554
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