Lent2008

Letter to Fr. John Tsaras, Oklahoma City, April 28, 2008.

Christos Anesti, Father!

Well Father, I'm sure you're ready to relax for a while, now that the Lenten marathon is over. I learned many things this year, and I wanted to share some of them with you, if you will indulge me for a little while.

One of the things that occurred to me what how hard you work during the Lenten season. We're all working harder (hopefully), but you especially labor through all the extra services and sacraments. I prayed that God would give you the strength you needed to lead us through Lent, and as just one humble parishioner, I thank you for your efforts.

One of the things I discovered was how much more I can spend my time in meaningful activities. Just as an example: for a couple of years I watched TV hardly at all. The ads and other network chatter just got to be too much for me. Then I got a Tivo, and that helped. I had a few favorite shows, and made time to watch them. But beginning with the writer's strike last year, I didn't even watch the Tivo (I don't watch re-runs), and began to find other things to do with my time. And during Lent, even though the strike was over, I still didn't watch a lot of what I recorded, because I spent so many evenings at the extra services, and any free time I had, I spent with Cyndi. The result: I delete almost as many shows as I actually watch.

Instead, I have developed a habit of spending my time on other pursuits. For instance: I designed and built a website for St. Anthony. I created my own Wiki to develop and save my own religious and spiritual notes. I wrote my own prayers, and compiled them in my own prayer book. These are just a few examples in the spiritual realm. Other areas of my life benefited too. Lent is not only good for us spiritually, but seems to be good for us physically and mentally too.

In short, I now feel I am beginning to "get it" when it comes to Lent. The extra services; the prayer; the fasting -- all bring us closer to God. So, while it is penitential, at the same time there is a certain "joyousness" to it. A "clean" feeling, akin to the one you get after working out, or completing a difficult task.

I am beginning to understand the Orthodox concept of salvation as a process -- a spiritual journey. This trek will have its milestones, as well as its setbacks, I'm sure, but it will continue on, ever closer to Theosis.

Thanks for taking a minute to read this. I would appreciate any thoughts you have.

- Will