My Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
When most think about what “church” is, it is either a destination for which one goes to for worship, or it is the gathering of the faithful for purposes of prayer, or both. For those that are more greatly connected, it is a community of like believers, hopefully in communion with one another in a uniform code of ethics, conduct and beliefs. It is a gathering of like believers in faith.
Although all of the above is true, it is truly a cursory understanding of what “church” is. It is a surface understanding that distills what “church” is supposed to be down to its simplest level. When in fact, “church” is a family, and families are complexed and nuanced—each person of the family having a unique relationship with every other member; each offering different talents and understandings to the whole.
You and I, and all of those who are in good standing in the Orthodox Church are brothers and sisters. We most often add “in Christ,” but this is merely to differentiate from those that are of blood relations. We are “brothers and sisters” created in the image of our Father and united in thoughts, beliefs, purpose and, most importantly, love.—or at least we should be. The “church” therefore is no longer a destination or merely a gathering place for the like minded, but our family’s generational home! By this, “church” is no longer a place or event, but we become the “Church.”
In a few short weeks, we will be gathering for Great and Holy Week. We will come together as our Father, Creator, Savior and Lord is tortured and put to death in the flesh with only one purpose, to enter into the realm of death so that we don’t ever have to. He “tramples down death by death” so that we may have life! He then resurrects to give us the “good news” (the meaning of Gospel) so that we may believe and receive this gift that none of us have earned or deserve. We should be there with Him, as we are the benefactors of this divine condescension, humility and grace.
All He asks is to love Him with all our heart, mind, soul and strength; and, to love each other as we love ourselves. In other words, be the “Church.”
A Blessed Great and Holy Lent to all of you as we prepare for His Passion, Crucifixion and Resurrection!
In Christ,
Fr. Jon