We often call Great and Holy Lent “The Season of Repentance”. We spend 40+ days paying extra special attention to our life and relationship with God as we prepare for Holy Pascha. In a very real and sad way, within the life of many Orthodox Christians, the 40 days after Pascha can sometimes turn into the “season of deception”…because it is during these fragile days when the deceiver and his minions try their best to deceive faithful Christians with thoughts that are detrimental to their spiritual growth.

It falls not just on a few members of the flock, but on all of us, to be good stewards of what we have been given.   Everyone who considers themselves members of this parish needs to remember what it means to be “noble”, and to use the gifts from God that we have been stewards of towards the building up of His Holy Church.

So often, we hear these words and are confused.  Why would Jesus, Who is God Himself, say that God has forsaken him? It seems at first glance like a statement of woe and sadness…but in fact, it is the exact opposite.  Our Lord, as He is suffering on the Cross, surrounded by both those who hate him and those who are weeping for Him, used his last breath to remind everyone that what was happening was foretold long ago.

In one moment, a simple harlot, who told us that she destroyed so many lives during for those 17 years of harlotry, became a beacon of hope for the last 1600 years for all those who “miss the mark” in their spiritual lives.  In one moment, St. Mary showed us all what it means, to go from living a life like an animal…constantly allowing our passions and desires to get the best of us…to becoming a true Human Being.

It’s the one time that you don’t pray before a meal that the children see.It’s the one time that you don’t forgive someone that they learn to seek venganceIt’s the one time you swear in front of them that they learn those words.It’s the one time that you break the fast-during Great Lent that they hang on to.