We just read the verses from matins on Wednesday that the Lenten Spring has arrived – the Flower of Repentance. Lo and behold, today the 1st crocuses emerged, as if on command to joyously announce the season – as they have done for the last several years. (see also The 2011 Lenten Spring has Arrived and The 2010 Lenten Spring has Arrived)
In Matins this morning, I read both of the readings for the day from the Holy Prophet Zechariah (8:7-17, 8:19-23)
There were two segments that really stood out in my mind.
Zechariah 8:16-17
These are the things that you shall do:
Speak the truth to one another,
render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace,
do not devise evil in your hearts against one another,
and love no false oath;
for all these are things that I hate, says the LORD.
Simple rules for keeping Great Lent. The real fast has to do with the heart and doing God’s will, not just avoiding certain foods. Fasting is lived in honesty, true judgments, making peace
Zechariah 8:19
Thus says the LORD of hosts: The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be seasons of joy and gladness, and cheerful festivals for the house of Judah: therefore love truth and peace.
The fasts of the Lord are to be seasons of joy and gladness, cheerful festivals. How can we make them so? Certainly if we love God more than the world, we will understand the joy in a season of self denial.
What greater joy that to do the will of God? Love truth and peace. This is God’s will for us.
How simple and yet profound….thank you Fr. Ted, I would appreciate your prayer and blessing entering the Great Fast and the time of repentance and reconciliation.