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Fifth Sunday of Great Lent
Repentance and forgiveness are major themes during Great Lent. Repentance and forgiveness are emphasized particularly on this Fifth Sunday of Great Lent.
Jesus forgave the sinful woman who washed His feet with tears. Jesus Christ will forgive our sins if we turn to Him in faith. We must be willing to give up sinful practices and sinful ways.
To repent, we must be bold and direct and speak as Jesus did when He was tempted in the wilderness. Jesus said: "Begone, Satan! For it is written, "You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve."(Mt.4:0-10)
This is the time of the year to draw close to Jesus Christ and to remain close to Jesus Christ. The remaining days of Great Lent and the days of Great and Holy Week require complete and careful attention.
Believers seriously observing the period of Great Lent and honoring Holy Week with the complete reverence due are investing in the Kingdom of God.
Honoring the days of Great Lent and Holy Week is an act of faith. Using this time for care of the soul and purification of the soul is the intended purpose.
Christ makes a difference in the lives of individuals believing in Him. Lives are transformed by the Lord Jesus Christ. Live are better due to individuals turning to Christ in faith.
The woman at Jesus' feet in the current Gospel would arise from her repentant position to be free from the sin encumbering her. Pride and lack of faith can keep individuals from seeking change and repenting.
Time is of the essence. Each day is a day closer to the Second Coming of Christ. Each day without repentance is another day loaded with sin. The joy of Christ is experienced in forgiveness.
The joy of Christ is experienced in the Precious Body and Blood of Christ. Being resistant to change, being reluctant to repent prevents a person from the fullness of the life in Christ.
Being in Christ represent change. Being in Christ represents newness of life. Being in Christ brings with it the expectation of constant change and growth in Christ.
The Holy Apostle Paul told the Romans: "Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."(Rom.12:2)
Being a servant for Christ is a prominent theme in the Gospel of St. Mark for today.(Mk.10:43-45). Jesus humbled Himself beyond human comprehension when He took on flesh and then permitted Himself to be crucified.
Today pride, arrogance, greed and power are qualities that receive much public attention and recognition. Pride, arrogance, greed and power are not characteristic of the Christian way of life.
Real power comes through Jesus Christ. The power from Christ brings spiritual health, healing of the soul, and peace to the mind. The last days are at hand for this Great Lent. Let us invest each day in the Kingdom of God.
St.George Serbian Orthodox Church, Carmichaels, Pennsylvania. Fifth Sunday
of Great Lent, St. Mary of Egypt. March 31/April 13, 2008.
Father Rodney Torbic
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