LENT: At the Half

Gee-My-Nittley!

Those of us struggling under the leadership of Coach Cullivan knew that phrase well. It could be heard at any time, especially if we were losing at the half.

Stealing an image from yesterday’s guest preacher, Camille Baba (Youth Director at St George, Wichita) …

Brothers and Sisters in Christ — concerning the Great Lenten Fast — it’s halftime!

Heading to the locker room, no matter the score, is always similar to the words of Forrest Gump’s mama:

“My mama always said [half time] was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”

Obviously, it’s always better to be winning at the half.

I mean, really.

But, with few exceptions, the second half’s a different experience from the first. Perspective has changed. Coming down the homestretch. Make it or break it. No pain, no gain — etc.

Yesterday’s Feast of the Cross pointed us toward the goal. No matter how far we are behind, no matter how well we have struggled, no matter our matters … THE Matter is in sight. It requires sacrifice. Obedience is better than sacrifice. And, still, like all things God-pleasing, one goes with the other.

Obedience, sacrifice … the Cross. It’s halftime!

I remember once hearing a priest tell of a “bad Lent.” It was Holy Week, Great and Holy Thursday, and he went to Confession prior to that night’s “12 Gospel Service” and tearfully confessed to being slothful through the whole of the Fast. He admitted to God, before his brother priest, that he had not fasted as he ought, had let his secular job override his prayers and service attendance, had not given and forgiven more, struggled harder, sinned less …

The priest hearing his Confession said: “Well, tonight my brother, you get to place Christ on the Cross.”

[During the service, past the mid-point of the Gospel readings, in a darkened church, with great reverence the Crucifixion is re-enacted — with a large icon of the body of Christ being placed on the Cross in the midst of the temple.]

The slothful priest, when he later did this, said he had tears streaming down his face … NOT so much because of his sins, but in awesome wonder at God’s love, forgiveness, and mercy.

Here at “halftime,” as we make our way back out onto the spiritual battle field … heading toward that great and holy day, the Passover of our Lord from death to Life — PASCHA — let us yet be mindful of the words of our Father among the Saints, John Chrysostom:

If any have laboured long in fasting,
Let him how receive his recompense.
If any have wrought from the first hour,
Let him today receive his just reward.
If any have come at the third hour,
Let him with thankfulness keep the feast.
If any have arrived at the sixth hour,
Let him have no misgivings;
Because he shall in nowise be deprived therefore.
If any have delayed until the ninth hour,
Let him draw near, fearing nothing.
And if any have tarried even until the eleventh hour,
Let him, also, be not alarmed at his tardiness.
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HERE’S THE IMPORTANT PART: At a recent Lenten Retreat, Fr Paul Tarazi said that some who hear these words — about those even at the eleventh hour (the final minutes of the game!) — being allowed to enter into the joy of the Feast might well say:

“Then, WHY DID WE FAST?”

The answer: “So you could understand what St John Chrysostom was saying!”

It’s Halftime. Our goal is in sight.

We’re encouraged by the choir as we walk out onto the field:

Before Thy Cross we bow down O Master, and thy Holy Resurrection we glorify!

Pep talk’s over. Press on.

Glory to God for all things!

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