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Reflection with Fr Robin Gibbons: Great and Holy Lent


At a time when great uncertainty for Christianity's future in its place of origin, the Middle East, constantly hangs over the Church of Christ, Great and Holy Lent takes on a distinctive role in calling us back to the essentials of our faith. Those of us who have homes, jobs, and security can share in some way with the sufferings of those who have nothing! More than that Great Lent with its triple framework of doing good, praying insistently and positive fasting, places humanity into a new relationship with God and all creation. The tradition of Ramadan, such a hallmark of Islam comes from the Eastern practice of Great Lent, so why not reclaim our Lent as one of our distinctive features of faith and practice today?

I expect you have heard friends telling you that they can't be doing with the Church or organised religion but pray and do good in their own way, they believe in God but not in the Church. That attitude completely misses the point. As Christians we are called to be part of something, part of the 'Great Family of God'. That's why Lent is also the period of intensive teaching and preparation for those about to be baptized at Easter; it is a journey into community. Great Lent with its discipline of common purpose has many teachings from wise and holy people to help us get the best out of it! St Maximus the Confessor puts his finger right on the sin so prevalent in contemporary society:

Food is not evil, but gluttony is. Childbearing is not evil, but fornication is. Money is not evil, but avarice is. Glory is not evil, but vainglory is. Indeed, there is no evil in existing things, but only in their misuse. (St Maximus the Confessor, Chapters on Love, 3.4)

All of us on this journey with Christ for forty days and nights have been given the spiritual tools to re-examine our misuse of so much in life and perhaps in recognising what is out of alignment, correct it! Why not start our days with this heartfelt (and self reflective) prayer of St Ephraim the Syrian?

According to thy mercy, pour out upon me, who am miserable, at least one small drop of grace to make me understand and be converted, that I might make at least some small effort to correct myself. For if thy grace does not illumine my soul, I will not be able to see the carelessness and negligence that the passions have produced in me through my apathy and recklessness. (St Ephraim the Syrian, The Spiritual Psalter, 69. The Wiles of the Enemy and the Resources of Sin)

Behind the practice of Lenten observance is the presence of God's love calling us back home again, it is all about returning to God:

Cleanse your mind from anger, remembrance of evil, and shameful thoughts, and then you will find out how Christ dwells in you. (St Maximus the Confessor, Chapters on Love, 4.76)

May this great and Holy Lent be a special time of mercy for us all, but may it also link us with all the suffering little ones of this world, human and created life. As we pray for our Middle Eastern sisters and brothers may these words of Isaac the Syrian be a guide of practical forgiveness:

When you want to direct someone toward the good, first put them at peace bodily and honour them with words of love. For nothing inclines such a person to shame and induces them to cast off their vice and be changed for the better as do bodily goods and honour, which they see in you. Then, with love tell them a word or two, and do not be inflamed with anger toward them. Do not let them see any cause of enmity toward you. For love does not know how to lose its temper. (St Isaac the Syrian, Homilies, 85,57).

Fr Robin Gibbons is an Eastern Rite Chaplain for the Melkite Greek Catholics in Britain

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