MARCH PASTORAL MESSAGE
Friends,
Lent is such a wonderful time of year!
As we allow our lives to run out of control with work, family,
activities, social obligations etc, the Church calls us to pause for a
moment. The Church hears our
silent cries at night when we say “where does time go”, “how did I let
things get out of control”, or even, “what does Jesus mean to me?”
The Church hears those cries and offers us Lent to pause from the
stuff that so often causes our
lives to run out of control.
She does this by offering the many services and spiritual exercise of
prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
It is my hope and prayer that we each take advantage of this
opportunity as we approach the passion of our Lord so that we can
celebrate completely His joyous Resurrection.
Yes, His Resurrection and perhaps our resurrection to a new life
in Jesus Christ.
Allow me also to offer you this beautiful prayer of St. Efraim.
Pray it and meditate upon it daily as it is truly a source of
strength, an expression of our
personal forgiveness and an opportunity for spiritual self-examination.
In anticipation of His glorious Resurrection,
Rev. Father Christ Kontos, Protopresbyter
PRAYER OF ST. EFRAIM
O Lord and Master of my life, Grant not unto
me a spirit of idleness, of discouragement, of lust for power, and of
vain speaking.
But bestow upon me, Your servant, the spirit
of chastity, of meekness, of patience, and of love.
Yes, O Lord and King, grant that I may examine
my own sins, and not judge my brother or sister,
for you are blessed unto ages of ages.
Amen.
