Clergy Reflection: Tuesday Of The Fifth Week

Tuesday of the Fifth Week

In the Orthros of the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee, as our Holy Church begins the sacred period of the Triodion, we hear the following beautiful hymn which will be repeated throughout the Lenten season: 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. Upon hearing these words, it should become clear to us that repentance is a gift from God. His unending love for mankind includes the ability to repent of our sins through a change of heart and mind, which is the meaning of the Greek word for repentance – metanoia. If, however, we are living a life far from Christ, then we will not be open to the gift of repentance. When we turn our souls toward a life of prayer, liturgical participation, and toward striving to life a virtuous Christian life, then our souls can be prepared for the doors of repentance to open to us as well.

Fr. Anthony Evangelatos