"Walk As Children of Light"

It never ceases to amaze how, in many ways, the spiritual challenges faced by the early Christian Church are very similar to ours. St. Paul writes to the Ephesians (coastal city in modern day Turkey) and exhorts them to no longer live the life they lived before receiving Holy Illumination at Baptism. It becomes very evident from this letter that the Ephesians are struggling to let go of their former life prior to Baptism. They continue to live according to the cultural norms of their time which were not as innocent as one might think.

St. Paul writes that the society they live in follows looser standards of living and living within these norms is unacceptable. In Chapter 5, St. Paul writes: "But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving." We can exhaust pages describing what types of behavior fall under the above mentioned categories, but we can ascertain that the list is broad. We can also see that the authentic Christian life used to and continues to run contrary to many societal norms.

These contrasted lifestyles are characterized by St. Paul as darkness and light "For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light". Here lies one of the greatest challenges for every Christian: to walk as children of light!

We find ourselves quickly approaching Great Lent (important dates listed below) which is an ideal opportunity to reflect upon our spiritual life. It's an opportunity to evaluate whether: we are allowing the pressure of the world around us to dictate how we live our lives and thus conforming to it, or diligent in maintaining our spiritual life as St. Paul exhorted the Ephesians and subsequently all Christians that read his epistle.

Foundational to the spiritual life are Prayer (both corporate and personal), Fasting, and Almsgiving. The Lenten season affords us the opportunity to develop our prayer life by attending more of the weekly Church services offered, and a structured fasting regiment to guide us on our path. The blessings received by increasing almsgiving, or even to begin focusing on almsgiving, is something that has been left to one's own volition. Even though this is a personal matter, we can benefit by offering an opportunity to gather as a Church to offer alms. This can be a primary resource or one that builds upon your current practice of giving alms. Either way, we can grow together as a community. "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. "From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." Ephesians 4:15-16

Our parish is teaming up with the Frederick Rescue Mission to schedule volunteers that will assist in their mission that provides a long-term residential recovery program to the chemically addicted, food to the hungry, and clothing and furniture to the homeless/those in need. I pray that this opportunity proves to be spiritually beneficial to all that participate. More details to follow soon.

May the spiritual guidance of St. Paul resonate in our hearts and his advice to "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." Ephesians 5:15-17, for the will of the Lord is to see all of God's children walk in the light.

Wishing all a blessed Great Lent!

In Christ,

Fr. George

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