Dear Friends and Family,
Greetings on this blessed Lord's Day! It is a wonderful and awe inspiring day. Today we began our journey through the Lenten Triodion (the book containing the Lenten Hymns) on our way to the beginning of Lent. This holy pilgrimage leads us straight through the valley of the shadow of death to the foot of the cross and our Lord's life-giving passion. It is a perilous journey of the soul, much will have to be cast aside in order to continue on the long road ahead. But the Triodion is a faithful guide and teacher as we set out on our pilgrimage of the heart.
Today we prayed from it: "Open unto me, O Giver of LIFE, the gates of repentance: for early in the morning my spirit seeks Thy holy Temple, bearing a temple of the body all defiled. But in Thy compassion cleanse it by Thy loving-kindness and Thy mercy." (Matins troparian)
Indeed, the Lord has given us this hymn of joyful sorrow with which to begin. And fitting it was that the cold snow bit harshly at our noses as we walked to church early in the morning light with the children. And fitting it was that in the snow, pure and white, we rejoiced after Church as only a family can - playing in the drifts and sinking deep into the mystery, remembering the One thing needful, and content having been given all we have ever asked for.
The hot chocolate, silly faces and funny nickname games we played after coming inside gave way to these few moments of quiet in which I am now writing to you. Soon enough will come study and dinner, bath and evening prayers. And then night will descend upon us as we lay warm under electric blankets and listen to the echoes of children's laughter in our hearts from a day full of prayer and play. Could there be anything that speaks more clearly of God's "Loving-kindness and great Mercy"?
Here is a new movie... enjoy.
Justin
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