The time of pre-lent is almost over and we are now making our way to the last Sunday before Lent begins officially on Monday for our Eastern parishes, and Wednesday for our Western parishes. Yet, there is something that is equally important for both, the preparation of the soul. Last week in the Western readings we heard the parable of soils. It asks us to question, which of these soils will my heart be? In this time of pre-lent, we prepare ourselves for the great activities that are upon us by looking and reflection on our lives and our relationship with Christ. We are asking the question, what is keeping me away from the love of God? What are my vices? How is the evil one distracting me, or keeping me from having a full and intimate relationship with the Lord? All these questions are there to toil the soil of the heart so that it might be fresh and fertile to receive the love of God. 

In such ways, we must be real with ourselves and reflect honestly about our experiences with the Creator. We cannot be foolhardy and believe that we have a perfect relationship with God. We need to look within ourselves and be honest and say where I am failing? How can I do better? Jesus fell three times on the way to calvary, and we too will fall, but Christ is with us and he is here to help us carry our cross, as well as our brothers and sisters. It is so important in this that we focus on this, the Rule of Love. Do not fast for the sake of fasting, do not pray for the sake of praying, but rather fast because you want to give up that time to pray more and to reflect upon the love of God in your life. Pray more, because you desire an intimate relationship with Jesus and his Father. That you desire the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Are we seeking this illumination? St. Seraphim of Sarov tells us of this illumination when he says, "This is the peace of which the Lord said to his disciples". Brethren, this Lent, let us truly be filled with the peace of God, not a false peace which comes only from the deception and lies of the evil one, but rather a true peace that is all encompassing that leads to holy illumination as the Fathers have shown. This illumination comes from sitting with God, being in his contemplative presence in which we ourselves take on that which given through the acts of contemplation.

This Lent, let us truly give up for the Lord so that we might achieve this, the indwelling of the Holy Ghost and the completion of Christ's peace which will help to illumine the world and say, Christ is Risen!