Athanasius Yohan I Metropolitan’s Lenten Message 2022

His Holiness Moran Mor Athanasius Yohan I Metropolitan’s Lenten Message 2022

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

May the grace and the mercies of Our Lord be with us now and always.

We are now going to enter into one of the most precious opportunities of partaking in this year’s Lent.

It is God’s mercy that we can partake and participate in this Lent, which brings spiritual growth and much grace from the Lord, and our spiritual life being renewed in a way that nothing else can do.

Now, how do you prepare for Lent?

Both individuals and as a family and as a congregation, the faithful, we all look forward and do decide that this is going to be a season of Lent, which means, Journeying with Christ for greater understanding and intimacy with the Lord Jesus Christ.

One thing you want to make sure is that you do practice Lenten prayers – they are very, very important prayers; and of course partaking from the Eucharist and fellowship and meditating on God’s word – these are all part of the Lenten Journey.

Of course fasting, either one meal or two meals or whatever is part of Lent. Avoiding certain kind of food is also part of the Lenten Journey.

And the reason is this. You know, the scripture says, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone but by the word of God’. And this is a journey we experience to be sustained supernaturally by the Lord.

Think about the season where all the trees shed their leaves; a season of giving up everything. Their inner strength and depth now is increased; the same thing with our life.

No, fasting is not just from food, but fasting from sin, habits – somebody cannot give up talking to people all the time, hearing negative things, gossip. They choose not to do any of these things during this season, but change by God’s grace.

Of course fasting always help not only our inner life but also fasting from foods help our health, which is important for us to serve God and live for the Lord.

As your Metropolitan, your Shepherd, I invite you my children, to follow me throughout this Lenten journey and we will be happy as the people of God and it will reward much for our life.

I am personally so excited and looking forward to this year’s Lenten season.

We are following the Lord Jesus Christ, His 40 days of journey, finally to the Cross and resurrection. So, I say to you, follow me as I follow the Lord.

You see on my headgear, the cross, which is Christ that I follow. But if you look on the back of my hat, you will find a Shepherd leading the Sheep. Well, you can look at it, right here. That means – I am following and you are following with me.

And remember, the Lord has called us to be His. It is not – oh I have to do it. No, we get to participate in the Lent. And may the Lord bless you and strengthen you and answer your prayers, especially during this year of Lent.

May the Lord’s blessings be with you.

Amen.