Father Orthoduck finds it amazing how many people believe the above trite statement. They come in two varieties. One variety is the ever so naive, and usually slightly kooky, person who talks on about crystals, pyramids, and convergence. We all have friends like that. They are amusing to listen to, and we learned many years ago not to bother arguing with them as there is not a logical bone in their body. But, on their behalf, let Father Orthoduck state that they are usually very nice people, very friendly, and make good neighbors, provided you do not mind the occasional NEW THING WHICH WILL CHANGE US ALL FOR THE BETTER which they rave over until they get tired of it. These folk are an evangelism challenge for the Orthodox, for they will adopt many of the Orthodox practices with many sighs over the beauty of Orthodoxy, while imbuing the content with some really add beliefs about us.
The other variety of person is much more dark and much more dangerous. When they pop up in numbers, usually blood will be shed. They believe that everything would be better if everyone belonged to their religion, so they will force everyone to be part of their religion. These are the type of people whom you find running Inquisitions, blowing themselves up, or sacrificing multiple human beings on top of pyramids. Even if one is part of their religion, one cannot relax, for these people will look for the least sign of deviance from their detailed doctrinal formulations, and will label any deviance as being a full-blown heresy. The idea is that if we ensure absolute obedience to all the dictates of “our” religion, then god(s) will be pleased and we will be blessed and have a better life.
But, actually both sides are wrong. And what is wrong with both sides is the analysis of the problem. That is where the first few chapters of Genesis come in. Please notice that the first sin is committed in the Garden of Eden, when God walks with Adam and Even, and peace reigns upon the Garden–well, except for this dratted serpent. The second recorded sin occurs when the family is united, and all are worshipping the same God. It is at that time that Cain kills Abel.
But, there is a story later in Genesis that should end the debate on the idea that we would be better off, if only we could unite in one by our own efforts. And, that is the story of the Tower of Babel. At that time, a large chunk of humanity was united in one religion, and was convinced that this would let them reach the gods by their own efforts. The effort was dangerous, precisely because they were well on their way to a forced false union. As a result, God decided to divide their languages and scatter them so that they could be even more aware of their deficiencies and their needs.
As we enter into Lent, we are asked to acknowledge that we are the problem, the sin that dwells in each and every one of us. Humanity is not the problem. You are the Problem. I am the Problem. And, when we get together on our own, outside of God’s guidance and protection, then We are the Problem. In short, this is what it means to be fallen and damaged. It means that everything that we do and every system that we build has problems in it. We are asked to acknowledge in Lent not simply our own fault, but the fault present in our society, in our culture, in other societies, and in other cultures. And, we are asked to pray, “Lord, have mercy!”
But, that is not where Lent leaves us. Over and over again, the cry of the Resurrection goes up during Lent so that we may not forget that God has already sent a solution. This culminates in Holy Week, when we are dropped to the depths of our sin and despair, only to be raised on Pascha (Easter) to the heights of the glorious Resurrection of Christ, and our glorious Resurrection in Him.
So, again Father Orthoduck says, “Embrace Lent.” Let Lent minister to your soul and bring you, at the end, to new heights of joy.
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