Promise The
HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH WESTFIELD ^ NEW JERSEY
Mar.-Apr. 2013 ^ Volume 37, Issue 2
HtgocWestfield@htgocnj.org
908-233-8533
holytrinitywestfield.org
Great Lent 2013 ■ THE REVEREND PETER DELVIZIS My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, reat Lent is that period in the life of the Church where the Christian is asked to enhance his relationship with Jesus Christ. Through certain spiritual exercises or askesis, we develop a stronger bond with Him and our fellow spiritual sojourners.
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The word askesis comes from a Greek verb which means to exercise, to strive, or to contend with the dedication of an athlete. Askesis can be translated as “spiritual discipline,” “spiritual striving” or “spiritual training.” Listen to the words of St. Paul when he describes spiritual discipline: Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection… - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 The essence of askesis involves the struggle in our hearts between good and evil, God and Satan, the Kingdom and the world. Its prize is the new life in Christ. Its principles are the teachings of Christ. Its power is the grace of Christ experienced especially in the Eucharist and in personal prayer. Askesis is for all, not only for monastics. Each Christian is called to be a spiritual athlete who with his whole mind, heart and actions contends, within himself, family, and community, for the supreme priority of the Kingdom, believing that all the other necessary things will be given to us as well as by God. The tools of askesis that the Church presents to us are: prayer, fasting, almsgiving and confession. When used these tools provide spiritual growth by exercising the soul and by subduing the bodily passions. It amazes me how often a person can so carefully follow a doctor’s prescription for health and healing, yet not even consider the Church’s prescription for such. It is as if knowledge is totally absent from the fact that no medical miracle has ever kept someone alive in perpetuity. While the medical community is at a loss how to accomplish this, the Church refers us to the true Physician of
our souls and bodies. Our connection w it h t he d iv i ne life insures that we receive immortality from Christ. Thus, by following the spiritual discipline established by the Church, the faithf ul Christian will encounter Jesus C h r i st a nd m a ke provisions for the next life. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if you live by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body [the passions], you will live. – Romans 8:13 Lent is a grand journey that is therapeutic in nature. It is unfortunate that many do not seek the spiritual improvements offered during Great Lent. There are far too many whose passions make them sick, obese, and spiritually weak as they eat and drink their way to ruination. The spiritual couch-potato misses, time and again, the sacred training classes held every other day in the church during Great Lent for the healing and strengthening of soul. My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, strengthening comes through conditioning, regardless of whether we speak of physical or spiritual increase. A couch-potato may desire good health but unless you pick yourself up and go, improvement remains a dream that never materializes. Laziness dissolves intention through the thin air of excuses. I ask that together we form a troupe of spiritually health-minded people. Great Lent is the period of instruction calling each of us to askesis. On March 18, let us take on the spiritual disciplines so that we may celebrate Pascha with the stamina of the worthy. ^
Wait for the promise of the Father
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