Our Lord, while He was still walking amidst the world…said these prophetic words which still reign true today:  “In the world, you will have tribulation…but be of good cheer…I am overcome the world”. 

In one moment, St. Mary showed us all what it means, to go from living a life like an animal…constantly allowing our passions and desires to get the best of us…to becoming a true Human Being. 

Prayer, according to St. John, has the power to hold the world together because it achieves reconciliation between God and humanity.  Think of the saints of the Church and ask yourself: How many of them acquired sanctification without  praying?

“…And only then, with great difficulty it began to dawn on me, and I began to understand the reason why I was prevented from being admitted to see the life-giving Cross. The word of salvation gently touched the eyes of my heart and revealed to me that it was my unclean life which barred the entrance to me. I began to weep and lament and beat my breast, and to sigh from the depths of my heart.”

“…LENT IS HARD!  Denying yourself and trying to live a life like Christ…is HARD!  A wise monk recently told me something that I pray rings true for everyone here this morning.  He said:  “I never understand why they call it “Great Lent”, because I have never met a sincere Orthodox Christian who has ever had a “Great” Lent.”