Prayer of Saint Nerses the Gracious. (Soorp Nerses Shunorhali)
March 2022
Sometimes a question is asked. Why Lent? And what is the meaning of Lent?
During Lent, as you can see, the church is as if in mourning. The curtain is closed and is black. The hymns are sung softly, and some are read instead of sung. The entire church service seems not happy. The sermons are geared more to sin and repentance. We have the picture of Christ on the cross and can’t help to stare at it. It is not pleasant to see because it reminds us of suffering and the reason of that suffering: is our sins.
Lent is a time to set aside.
As Jesus withdrew Himself into the wilderness for forty days fasting and praying so we too must set aside time to think and reevaluate the purpose of His suffering.
We set aside time for our pleasure, and God forbid if that time is disturbed. We set a time to meet people and for a social hour, we give enormous time to be successful in our business, so it makes sense to set aside some time to think and ponder over on the condition of our souls, our inner being, and as David did, ask God by saying, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.” (Ps.139:23-24)
Lent is time to sincerely search and open the doors of our hearts a little wider in order to understand the Lord better through His suffering so that when Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Palm Sunday and Easter come they will not just be as other days but an opportunity to see and experience the overwhelming power and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our forefathers assigned Lent because it is good for our souls. it is a penitential time as we examine our sinful and rebellious nature and say, “Lord, have mercy upon your creatures, and upon me, great sinner that I am.” Lent is like a red light, a time to stop and turn to God, like the Prodigal son did, who made a U TURN toward his father, who was waiting for him.
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Rev. Fr. Archpriest Aram Stepanian
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