Great Lent

Great Lent is an important event in our Church life. In our tradition Church life is not separated from our individual and social life. So Lenten observances has got its integral implications in all the discourses of our lives.

Fasting is an occasion to remember the wilderness experience of Jesus. He had forty days of fasting and prayer before his public ministry . Jesus encountered Satan and defeated Satan in his temptations. Jesus fought against the satanic temptations of popularity, possessions and position .Through Passion Jesus experienced all the potential limitations and agony of human life. Thereby he expressed solidarity with the suffering humanity. Cross is the supreme manifestation of God's love. As our liturgy says, we all are saved by that victorious cross. During the Lenten season we remember with gratitude the saving work of God through Jesus Christ in history.

Modern humanity exploited nature and we followed a life of luxury and domination. Today we experience depletion of resources, life style diseases, suffering and poverty in so many countries. Lent provides the impetus for an alternative style of life. We need to understand that the needs of many are more important than the wants of a few.

This year our diocese will be sending you a daily Lenten meditation through electronic media. We have our worship services and liturgies to remember the passion story of Jesus. We are requested to observe austerity and promote a simple style of life. Also the saved money need to be set apart for mission activities(self-denial).

I wish and pray that this year's Lenten observances may bring us to new revelations about the saving Passion of Jesus.

My God be with you all,

Rev K C Varughese (Vicar)

February 16,2012