Are We Having Fun Yet?

Posted on April 14, 2008 by debd

No!

I want Lent to be over. I want the celebration without the pain just like I want a great body without the exercise. I want Pascha without the Cross.

I’m tired of falling into despair and anger when things go badly. I’m tired of Lent. This has been the longest Lent EVER! (not that I’ve been Orthodox all that long mind you - but its my whine).

Come, O sinner who have sinned before the Lord, come to Him repenting in your soul, and He will forgive you your debts and your sins.

Preserve your tongue from all manner of evil, and may your lips that were created for praise not prounounce words of blasphemy.

Forgive your brother if he has sinned against you, and Christ will forgive you as He has promised, according to His loving-kindness.

Have mercy on us, O our Lord, forgive us our debts and our sins and vouchsafe us Thy radiant habitation.

***St. Ephraim the Syrian: A Spiritual Psalter; #83

I’ve noticed that many of the Orthodox bloggers are getting quieter. I know I am not alone in this journey.

Filed under: Church, Orthodox, Orthodox Christianity, Orthodoxy, Sacred Journey

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11 Responses to “Are We Having Fun Yet?”

  1. Weedon, on April 15th, 2008 at 9:03 am Said:

    A question: does West and East having differing dates for celebrating this year (as opposed to last year) make any difference to your personal experience of Lent?

  2. debd, on April 15th, 2008 at 9:54 am Said:

    Bill, yes I’m sure it does have something to do with that, but I don’t think its the only factor. Lent was definitely on my mind earlier this year since I am in a mixed household. I think also the fact that its getting warmer and last year’s Pascha was earlier. I definitely feel like I should be cooking burgers on the grill. But, my problem with Lent is not so much food… its other things. I’m looking forward to next week when we will be in church every day (sometimes 2x)…it brings me great comfort to be in church these days.

  3. Joyful Days, on April 15th, 2008 at 11:20 am Said:

    This was a long (but good) Lent for me. I read on another blog (I think it was “Et Tu” ;) where she was talking about Lent really “starting” about halfway through–up until then it was an “opportunity for enlightenment” and a “chance to strengthen our faith”…all positive. But somewhere in the middle we wonder just how we will manage our suffering.

    Praying for you these last days of Lent.

    Julie

  4. mimima, on April 15th, 2008 at 1:08 pm Said:

    Yes, it is a long slog, and I definitely think that Father Bill is right in that the difference between the calendars as well as the fact that it is Spring so strongly makes it harder.

    I keep going back and forth between - Lent is almost over, and oh my goodness, Lent will never end :)

  5. Michelle, on April 15th, 2008 at 2:16 pm Said:

    I can relate- not necessarily to the length- but to the temptations that have been plaguing me. It has been hard (and long) in that aspect. We are almost there… Holy Week is just around the corner :)

  6. Magda, on April 15th, 2008 at 4:28 pm Said:

    I read your post, and thought of this song, sung by the Notre Dame Glee Club (there’s an mp3 which automatically starts): http://www.zarex.com/CD7028MP3.html

    Go, you! You can do it! Rah rah rah!

    I need pom-poms or something.

  7. H West, on April 15th, 2008 at 5:51 pm Said:

    Deb- LOVE the honesty. I’ve been thinking of Lent as being a time for popping zits. My struggles and sins all seem to get REALLY pussy during this time and rise to the surface. I get a chance to pop them at Confession. And it hurts.

  8. debd, on April 15th, 2008 at 6:17 pm Said:

    Julie - yes, I found that things didn’t kick in until the 3rd week - so that should have made it feel shorter, but doesn’t.

    Mimi - I go back and forth too - yesterday was hard day.

    Michelle - I wish I could slow down Holy Week though.

    Magda- that was the perfect song. I love spirituals too. Thanks so much for putting a smile on my face.

    Heather - that’s a vivid analogy. I was thinking today that one of the reasons its not really about food is because in about 11 days I’ll be eating whatever I want, but my sins and shortcomings will still be with me. That is what can be so difficult as Lent shines a spot-light on that.

  9. Mimi, on April 16th, 2008 at 2:21 pm Said:

    That is a really good analogy, Heather, I agree!

  10. Diane Moos, on April 16th, 2008 at 2:51 pm Said:

    Yeah, I hear you.

    We’re at that time of Lent when all the novelty has worn off. We’ve passed the mid-point, which offered the encouragement you have when you reach the half-way point in any journey. The excitement of the Veneration of the Cross and the Triumph of Orthodoxy are past. It’s the last trudge up the steepest part of the hill when we are already tired. But we’ll make it! We will! And it will all be worth it, just like it always is. :)

  11. H West, on April 16th, 2008 at 11:11 pm Said:

    Ditto your sentiment, Deb. It’s funny how zits can reappear in the same spots.

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