Lent: A Time to Seek Lord’s Joy
From a Seminar by
Rev. Fr. Stépanos Dingilian, Ph.D. at the
St. Peter Armenian Apostolic Church, Glendale, California
February 26, 2004
Rev. Fr. Stépanos Dingilian, Ph.D. © 2004
We hear repeatedly that Lent is a time for reflection and repentance. But do we realize that Lent is also a time to seek joy … that is the Lord’s “joy”: “Joy I give unto you as the world cannot give.” This is the promise from Christ. So how does this “joy” relate to Lent? Here is how: When we reflect on our beliefs and way of life and do not find joy and happiness, then definitely it is time for reflection and repentance. Let us understand the reasoning behind this perspective.
The Christian belief, among other benefits brings joy to the life of the believer. This is not just a haphazard superficial sense of fun, laughing, and “good feeling.” Rather, it is a deep spiritual joy that Christ promised that could be attained if The Way that he showed is followed. This is obvious. However, what is not as obvious is this: If we are not experiencing this “joy” as Christians, then we must be missing part of the Christian message and Way of Life as Christ intended it to be! In other words, the extent of spiritual joy that we sense as Christians is an assessment, a measurement of the fullness and completeness of our belief as Christians. Furthermore, if we do not have this spiritual sense of joy then it is really a time for us to reflect and to repent. To “reflect” as to why we sense the Passion of Christ, but not sense his Resurrection? Why do we sense the suffering but not the joy? Why do we see the obstacles in life, but have difficulty seeing the final victory? We can begin reflecting on the changes we can make in our life to allow the joy as Christ promised become more real, dominant, and guiding. This then becomes “repentance” in the true sense, of “changing our heart,” of changing the way we look at life, those around us, ourselves, and most importantly at God. In this manner, repentance, which literally means “change of heart,” becomes real, genuine, moving, and lasting.
So if we reflect on our life and relationships and realize that may be we
are not as joyful as we can be, or realize that we do not get that sense of joy
when we practice our Faith and live the Christian Way of Life, or perhaps
realize that we are downright miserable, what can we do?! Here are some
questions we can reflect upon and areas we can seek to modify our way of life.
1. Do I know and seek the
purpose for which God has created me? This is what God told the
Prophet Jeremiah and St. Paul recognized it in his life as well: “Before
I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.” Do
we really believe and understand what this means for us? If we do, then we will
recognize strengths and capabilities in us that overcome any obstacle we face in
life, be those spiritual, relational, financial, or any other form.
2. Do
I really understand how Christ saves me and allows me to have “joy” in life?
It is one thing to say that I believe in Christ and go to Church and receive
Holy Communion, but is something far beyond this to understand how this belief
can help me change my life. If we believe that Christ saves us but we do not
know how he does so, this does not make us any less Christians. However, it does
not allow us to reap the fruits and benefits of our belief and efforts in life.
3. Do
I really know Who is the Holy Spirit, and how the Spirit lives and guides me?
We hear a great deal about God the Father and God the Son, Jesus
Christ, but we hear very little about the third Person of the Holy Trinity –
the Holy Spirit. Yet, St. Paul tells us that we really cannot even call on the
name of Christ unless the Spirit is in us. When Christ was ready to leave his
Disciples, he promised that he would send them a Counselor who will guide them
so they would not be lonely in this world, a Counselor that will take what was
his and give it to the Disciples. Do we know what this means or are aware that
we have a Counselor who is ready to help us?
Interestingly, even a positive
answers to the above questions is not sufficient. We need to ask and reflect
upon more questions.
4. Do
I believe and trust in the gifts of the Holy Trinity? Do I
believe and trust that God the Father created me for a good reason, and
wants me to be joyful rather than wanting me to suffer all my life in the
name of duty or responsibility? Do I trust that Christ really overcame all the
obstacles in this world when he said: “I have
overcome the world”? Do I believe that if I follow his example then
I too will overcome the obstacles in my life? Do I believe that the Way of Life
that Christ showed is still valid today? Last but not least: Do I really trust
the Holy Spirit will guide me through the most difficult challenges and moments
in my life? So the question arises: Do I believe in the Holy Trinity or do I
need to cry out as the father of the child did: “Lord,
help my unbelief!”
5. Do
I believe that God has placed me among people who can help me live a joyous
life? There is no question that if we will have a sense of joy,
then we must have people whom we trust and with whom we can share our life. But,
do we really believe that God has given us such people? We may be married or
single, have children or not, be very popular or reserved, but the question
still remains: Do we trust and share our spiritual depths with at least some of
those around us? If the answer is “yes,” then we may have the joy already or
it maybe just around the corner. But if we do not, then we may be practicing all
the “proper” Christian values and charitable activities, but be lonely and
miserable!
6. Are
we doing something to help us grow in the “image and likeness” of God?
The reason that answering positively to all the above questions is so crucial is
because when we truly believe and trust God and have trusting people around us,
then we come in touch with the eternal in us, a ray of the Eternal that is
deposited in us. It is through this that we are able to taste the Eternal Joy
for which we were created. Yet, getting in touch with the “Image” of the
Eternal takes time and reflection. Growing towards the “Likeness” of the
Eternal in us takes intentional effort and perseverance. The more we reflect,
apply ourselves, and persevere, the closer we will grow to God and the more joy
we will sense.
Applying ourselves through prayer, study, reflection, and supportive sharing will help us answer positively to the above questions. But, if we do not have a sense of joy, then the above questions will help us pinpoint the areas of our life that are spiritually lacking. There are more questions that we can ask ourselves if we know the answers to the above questions and are already living this Christian way of life. However, for this Lenten period, may be these questions are a good beginning to reflect upon and help us repent, and seek the joy that Christ promised for us: “All these I say so that your joy may be complete.”