DAY 44...The Groom
"Cast me not out, neither detest me, O my God; but receive me in my repentance and save me for you alone are Merciful" - Holy Tuesday Night Kathismata
Holy Week is a beautifully difficult time for Orthodox Christians. Those who are able to go to all or most of the services know how long this week can be. Some of the strongest Christians have a really hard time getting through this week without a heavy heart, or added stress. It's difficult. Sometimes, the Christian who is fasting and attending the services can be short with us, because they are tired. It's ok, we should understand, because that's the reality of the weight this week brings.
Have you ever had the thought, "Just get it over with already!" About anything, good or bad?
Now imagine Jesus, knowing he is going to His torture and eventual death. Surrounded by people praising Him one minute and plotting the next. He knows all this and He is still spending time with each of them. He knows Judas, His good friend, will betray Him. On Holy Monday night we read the gospel where Christ really comes down hard on the pharisees, and rightly so (of course). On Holy Tuesday, He is one day closer. But it's a slow go.
Holy Week is a beautifully difficult time for Orthodox Christians. Those who are able to go to all or most of the services know how long this week can be. Some of the strongest Christians have a really hard time getting through this week without a heavy heart, or added stress. It's difficult. Sometimes, the Christian who is fasting and attending the services can be short with us, because they are tired. It's ok, we should understand, because that's the reality of the weight this week brings.
Have you ever had the thought, "Just get it over with already!" About anything, good or bad?
Now imagine Jesus, knowing he is going to His torture and eventual death. Surrounded by people praising Him one minute and plotting the next. He knows all this and He is still spending time with each of them. He knows Judas, His good friend, will betray Him. On Holy Monday night we read the gospel where Christ really comes down hard on the pharisees, and rightly so (of course). On Holy Tuesday, He is one day closer. But it's a slow go.
This is the icon of the Bridegroom. What is a "Bridegroom?" A "Bridegroom" is a man on his wedding day. Does this look like a man on his wedding day? Far from it. But this Christ is the "Bridegroom" and we are His "Bride." This groom will go to the very length of dying for His "cheating wife."
It's no fun to hear, but that's what we do, when we repeatedly sin against Him. We're His greatest love, and He's the greatest to us, and we cheat on Him. We take other things as our gods. We decide to love things, mostly ourselves, more than Him. So He came and saved us from those things because those things are abusive and intend to kill us.
The beauty of it all is, He's never going to stop coming after you. Keep trying to break free and He'll love you just the same as if you never left.
It's no fun to hear, but that's what we do, when we repeatedly sin against Him. We're His greatest love, and He's the greatest to us, and we cheat on Him. We take other things as our gods. We decide to love things, mostly ourselves, more than Him. So He came and saved us from those things because those things are abusive and intend to kill us.
The beauty of it all is, He's never going to stop coming after you. Keep trying to break free and He'll love you just the same as if you never left.
Today's Instructions:
A. Pray for the day, for friends, for family, for enemies. Thanksgiving, Requests, Praise.
B. In the Fortify Program, Update the battle tracker. Go to Week 7. Check out, "Facing Hard Things in the Past" and "Overall Control in Your Life."
C. Go to the daily readings and read today's Scripture.
D. Journal the following: 1. In what ways do you choose yourself over God? 2. Why is it better to choose God over your desires?
Today's Tips: When the urges come get up. Stop. Breathe. Pray. Open your Holy Week book to Holy Tuesday and read from it. Anything. If you don't have a Holy Week book, go meditate on Christ waiting for His crucifixion.
God give you strength. See you tomorrow.
Don't ever come back to this page to start over. This is the launching pad. You've already begun, even if you fall.
If you want to review this page, please do, but do not come back here to start over.
A. Pray for the day, for friends, for family, for enemies. Thanksgiving, Requests, Praise.
B. In the Fortify Program, Update the battle tracker. Go to Week 7. Check out, "Facing Hard Things in the Past" and "Overall Control in Your Life."
C. Go to the daily readings and read today's Scripture.
D. Journal the following: 1. In what ways do you choose yourself over God? 2. Why is it better to choose God over your desires?
Today's Tips: When the urges come get up. Stop. Breathe. Pray. Open your Holy Week book to Holy Tuesday and read from it. Anything. If you don't have a Holy Week book, go meditate on Christ waiting for His crucifixion.
God give you strength. See you tomorrow.
Don't ever come back to this page to start over. This is the launching pad. You've already begun, even if you fall.
If you want to review this page, please do, but do not come back here to start over.