The children made me birthday cards sacrificing their precious superheroes in the process. I wonder sometime if the lack of commitment and indifference on my part has to do with my unwillingness to sacrifice. Firstly monetary sacrifice followed by time and of course a truly selfless giving.As fasting, prayer and almsgiving formed the indispensable triadic spiritual exercise in the Lenten period, I wonder if these could soften my hardened heart, mind and body. It is easier to observe any spiritual disciplines for one's own sake. When rooted in self interest of gaining a higher or deeper spiritual level, or "salvation", it is a sure recipe for egotism.The primary focus should be to give without expecting returns, to fast without fuss, and to pray unceasingly. This is the narrow path. Not mindlessly but mindful of others as our mind,body and heart undergo a strict preparation for the Pascha.Ultimately, the Sacrifice was made once and for all, One for all. My children's love for me thru their simple but painful "sacrifice" indeed is a lesson for me. (P/S, I will replenish their fallen hero and heroin's stock, just to put a smile on their faces)
"In the Orthodox worldview, the home and the family constitute the first and most important area of Christian life, of application of Christian principles to daily existence. It is certainly the home, the very style and spirit of family life, and not the school, not even the Church, that shapes our fundamental worldview, that shapes in us that fundamental orientation of which we may not even be aware for a long time, but which ultimately will become a decisive factor."
Fr Schmemann wrote the preceeding words under the section : A Lenten "Style of Life" in his book Great Lent Journey to Pascha.Today marks the very first day of our very first Lenten journey together as an Orthodox family in Malaysia. As a newly-illumined family, we don't have anyone as role model nor any seniors to refer to in our "Mayflower" journey to our promised land. For the time being, no gerontas, no presbytera or lenten recipes to emulate. We will have to D-I-Y for practical reasons, only some written lenten rubrics and rules to follow.The lingering longing to see a full fledged Orthodox Church still hovers above my mind from time to time. But Fr Daniel's last sermon reminded us that the Church starts from us, the christian, at our home, our icons or prayer corner, our time with our family. Fr Daniel cleared my faulty mindset of having "quality" time with my family or the physicality of the Church. Time spent with my family at prayers is quality time. Reading to them the Lives of the Saints (with occasional dramatic and heroic emphasis) and prostrations are doing us good. This is what consitute the Church Tradition, doing instead of talking, or thinking... oops."Lent is a spiritual journey and its destination is Easter, "the Feast of Feasts". It is the preparation for the fulfillment of Pascha, the true Revelation" Fr Alexander Schmemann
We had begun the journey and will continue along this barren path for the time being, but I am contented for having my family with me. We may not be perfect in our obedience to the lenten rules, but we will try. And hence we will try to keep coming together everynight, asking for each others forgiveness and forgiving one another.It is also a time when I have to seek your forgiveness, please forgive me and pray for me, a sinner.
The children made me birthday cards sacrificing their precious superheroes in the process. I wonder sometime if the lack of commitment and indifference on my part has to do with my unwillingness to sacrifice. Firstly monetary sacrifice followed by time and of course a truly selfless giving.
