The Great Lent

The Great Lent    

The real aim of Lent is, above all else, to prepare men for the celebration of the death and Resurrection of Christ…
The deeper the preparation the more effective and joyful the celebration will be.
The purpose of Lent is to provide that purification by guiding men from sin and selfishness through self-denial and prayer, by creating in them the desire to do God’s will and to make His kingdom come by making it come first of all in their hearts.

Our Lord Jesus Christ's 40 days of fasting was a battle with the devil..
" And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals,"  Mark 1:13

So fasting is a spiritual battle and struggle with satan and his solders. The struggle makes you stronger, so do not be afraid to fight and struggle with satan. But be prepared for the good fight.

Sinning can disqualify you from your inheritance in the Kingdom of God. Place your faith in Christ and turn to God. Do not let sin on earth diminish your heavenly rewards.

Paul The Apostle was clearly concerned that if he did not keep his flesh under control, he would be disqualified from running the race of an effective Christian life, and receiving rewards in heaven.

Also ST Augustine said: "If then you love your sins and hug them to yourself you oppose Christ, and whether in the Church or out of it you are an Antichrist: a piece of chaff which the wind will blow away."

So whatever it may be in your life that is diminishing your ability to run the race, with fasting and prayers you can turn back to God. It is God's desire for you that, day by day, you would throw off the sin in your life that could keep you from winning your heavenly reward.

May the blessing of the Great Lent fill us with wisdom so that we are able to distinguish good from bad.  Guide us O Lord to Your light and preserve our souls from evil.

Joel 2:15-17

15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly.

16 Gather the people, consecrate the assembly; bring together the elders, gather the  children, those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride her chamber.

17 Let the priests, who minister before the LORD, weep between the portico and the altar.
Let them say, “Spare your people, LORD. Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’”

Have a blessed Lent.