I’ve had some thoughts about this weekend and Easter. This year Eastern Pascha and Western Easter fell on the same day. It’s my understanding this does not happen often. But that’s not what my thought was about.
My thought begins with the fact that a number of years ago at Living Hope we started celebrating the Passover before Easter. We had invited some friends from the Orthodox Church to participate, and they came. But to celebrate the Passover is something not regularly done in the Orthodox Church, and I wondered why they (the Orthodox) would appear to even be opposed to the idea. Then it hit me this year. It is celebrated. As Pascha. Pascha is the new Passover. Only in the Protestant churches I’ve attended, Easter has never really been that. There isn’t the build up – the anticipation – the feasting as a church. Typically, there has been more done about Christmas than Easter. And I was surprised last Christmas when I heard a pastor actually say that most pastors have a favourite between Easter and Christmas, and his was Christmas. A part of me thought, “But if we don’t have Easter, Christmas has no point!” I knew intellectually that Easter was more important than Christmas, but I didn’t know how to make Easter more important.
Let me tell you, this year Easter was more important than Christmas. And, in good form, I was grouchy right before Easter just like I’m grouchy before Christmas. Not that I’m advocating being grouchy – but I was. But I was happier after Easter than I have ever been after Christmas. After Christmas always feels like a let down. Like I’ve spent all this time getting ready for a day that comes and then it’s over so quickly. I’m still in the glow of Easter. I think, “Christ is Risen!” and look forward to 40 days of celebrating that He has.
So I haven’t really explained why Easter was so much better yet. Well, it started with Lent. Now, I didn’t ‘feel’ like I was in the spirit of Lent (not as repentant and sorrowful as I should have been, I suppose), but we did participate in the services and some fasting. So there was always the idea that it was because Easter was coming. And then there was Holy Week. I don’t know if Palm Sunday counts as part of that, but I remember last year at Living Hope someone had brought palm branches and tried to make something of Palm Sunday with a story to the kids but, to be honest, I didn’t get it – and I know what Palm Sunday is supposed to be about. The meaning was lost somehow. But I got Palm Sunday this year. We had the palm branches at St. Vincent’s, and the kids did the processional. There is WAY more scripture reading and far less interpretation. We didn’t go to all the services during the week, but enough to know that we were preparing for the death of Christ. I’m so glad I know the end of the story, ‘cuz it could’ve been depressing. To hear the scriptures about how Christ was betrayed, beaten and killed – I couldn’t help but weep. But I knew Sunday was coming! (where Christ is no longer in the tomb but is alive!) And even though the service starts at 11:30 Saturday night (at which point I said, “what reasonable human beings are awake and starting a service at this hour of the day!”) and our kids are sleeping under and on the benches, there was so much anticipation. The service is like acting out a drama and everyone is a participant. No spectator sport here.
This was only my second Pascha, so I’m not sure I’ll remember everything in detail. But I can tell you that overall the service points to how Christ is the fulfillment of the Passover. We don’t need the old Passover any more because now we have the new Passover. Christ did all that needed to be done. Not that I regret having participated in a Passover meal. It has given me an understanding I wouldn’t have had otherwise.
But one of the greatest things was preparing an Easter basket with all the foods we’d been fasting from through Lent (well, more than just what we’d fasted from as all we had done as a family was meat). And then when the service is done at about 3 a.m. we all head downstairs where the priest blesses our baskets and we feast! We share what we have as a community. (and hope that once we get home the kids will sleep in! ^-^ )
Overall, I feel as though no matter how much I try to describe what it’s like to celebrate Easter in the Orthodox Church, words will not do it justice. Experiencing it once isn’t enough, and I expect it will take many more Pascha celebrations to realize how much richness is really there.
This is how I can make Easter a bigger deal than I ever have in the past.
Monday, April 09, 2007
Thursday, April 05, 2007
What Church Father Are You?
You’re St. Jerome! You’re a passionate Christian, fiercely devoted to Jesus Christ and his Church. You are willing to labor long hours in the Lord’s vineyard, and you have little patience with those who are less willing or able to work as you do. Your passions often carry you into temptation zones of wrath, lust, and pride. Find out which Church Father you are at The Way of the Fathers! |
I didn't know what half the stuff on the test even was! *lol*
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Response to "Church" Comment
This post is in response to Naomi’s very thoughtful comment on Church. Even now, I'm not sure I have all the correct 'words/ideas' to fully explain some Orthodox thought, but I'm going to give it a try. Maybe it'll help me organize some of my own thoughts! :-)
First, there is a lot I agree with that you have said. But I'm going to try to explain why the Orthodox thinks that it has the most 'correctness.' But first I need to clarify that my understanding may be off base in some places and I hope anyone reading this who really knows what they're talking about would feel free to jump in.
The Orthodox Church says that the Church has been promised to be preserved throughout all time until Jesus’ return. If that is true, then there is to be a visible church that has been preserved. The Orthodox would go so far as to say the only church that can claim it has maintained the beliefs through all time as all have believed is the Orthodox Church (something about St. Vincent’s writing* – I still need to read it). Now that isn't to say that the Orthodox Church is perfect - which is where I agree with you. I think someday we will all find out what isn’t right. And I, personally, think that there is some right in Protestant belief that is lacking in Orthodoxy. For example, from what I've seen the Orthodox downplay of emotion in faith has appeared to keep it from reaching out as much as evangelicals have. The mindset in the Orthodox Church tends more toward the Jewish mindset of "come to us" rather than "we'll come to you". And I also think that sometimes the Orthodox faith acts a little like the big brother who thinks just because he’s the oldest that he’s always right in everything.
But where you say we all have a part of the fullness, the Orthodox faith would agree that many outside of Orthodoxy have a part of the faith, whereas Orthodoxy has all of the fullness of the faith.
And there are critical differences that it will point out which keep Orthodox Christians from being able to be in full communion with Christians outside the Orthodox faith. One of the biggest is its view of the Eucharist. It is not merely a symbol, it is the actual body and blood of Christ with power as such. Also, the meaning of baptism and chrismation. But I think the biggest difference is with the reason why Christ had to die for us in the first place. Western thought is that Christ died to defeat sin. Eastern belief is that Christ died to defeat death. The whole focus is not that we are bad, it is that we die. It’s like I grew up my whole life with this idea that God is this huge judge who demands justice. Then I’m faced with the idea that the reason why we sin is because we die, not that we die because we sin.
One more thing. You said, “And they are inherently human systems therefore not perfect.” The Orthodox would say that you are right. Every other system is inherently human. But the reason why the Orthodox faith has been preserved is because it is not inherently human. It is tradition handed down from the beginning that has been preserved by God and not changed by humans. No one person dictates what the Church believes. Anything defined/redefined is only done through an Ecumenical Council. Which could be part of the reason why suggesting anything new to the Orthodox faith is unheard of. And nothing is changed on a whim. The Bible is not interpreted in accordance with our personal world views, but rather through the traditions handed down from generation to generation. The Orthodox would claim that any deviations from the “traditional beliefs” come from the thoughts of individuals rather than the Church as a collective. (okay, that just sounds a little bit Borg-ish *lol*)
On a side note, I think the Orthodox Church is attempting to be relevant to today. It’s not like it thinks we are in the 16th century, and there are many in the Orthodox Church who think it is long overdue for another Ecumenical Council. If I were to be critical, I would say one of the reasons why the Orthodox Church doesn’t make a difference in North America is because of its unwillingness to change its culture while maintaining its faith. Too many of the churches want to stick with the “old” ways that have to do with ethnic background and equate them with the tenets of the faith rather than recognizing that there is culture here that isn’t necessarily distinctively Ukrainian or Greek or whatever. The Church needs to realize that to reach people now doesn’t mean to make them more ethnically Orthodox. And, really, there needs to be a ‘revival’ in the Orthodox Church where people realize that being Orthodox isn’t fire insurance. Now, I know they’d never say it exactly that way – it’s more an Evangelical saying. But the revival needs to be of the hearts, changing attitudes as well as behaviour. Being Orthodox is not some elitist club that makes a person extra special. Just like loud, raunchy Praise & Worship doesn’t make a better worshiper, either. It’s not about the style (or at least it shouldn’t be). It’s about the faith.
Well, I’m not entirely sure that I answered my questions, either. And there is much more that could be said, but they’ll have to be said another day.
*Bruce knows the St. Vincent thing. “Hold fast that faith which has been believed everywhere, always and by all”
First, there is a lot I agree with that you have said. But I'm going to try to explain why the Orthodox thinks that it has the most 'correctness.' But first I need to clarify that my understanding may be off base in some places and I hope anyone reading this who really knows what they're talking about would feel free to jump in.
The Orthodox Church says that the Church has been promised to be preserved throughout all time until Jesus’ return. If that is true, then there is to be a visible church that has been preserved. The Orthodox would go so far as to say the only church that can claim it has maintained the beliefs through all time as all have believed is the Orthodox Church (something about St. Vincent’s writing* – I still need to read it). Now that isn't to say that the Orthodox Church is perfect - which is where I agree with you. I think someday we will all find out what isn’t right. And I, personally, think that there is some right in Protestant belief that is lacking in Orthodoxy. For example, from what I've seen the Orthodox downplay of emotion in faith has appeared to keep it from reaching out as much as evangelicals have. The mindset in the Orthodox Church tends more toward the Jewish mindset of "come to us" rather than "we'll come to you". And I also think that sometimes the Orthodox faith acts a little like the big brother who thinks just because he’s the oldest that he’s always right in everything.
But where you say we all have a part of the fullness, the Orthodox faith would agree that many outside of Orthodoxy have a part of the faith, whereas Orthodoxy has all of the fullness of the faith.
And there are critical differences that it will point out which keep Orthodox Christians from being able to be in full communion with Christians outside the Orthodox faith. One of the biggest is its view of the Eucharist. It is not merely a symbol, it is the actual body and blood of Christ with power as such. Also, the meaning of baptism and chrismation. But I think the biggest difference is with the reason why Christ had to die for us in the first place. Western thought is that Christ died to defeat sin. Eastern belief is that Christ died to defeat death. The whole focus is not that we are bad, it is that we die. It’s like I grew up my whole life with this idea that God is this huge judge who demands justice. Then I’m faced with the idea that the reason why we sin is because we die, not that we die because we sin.
One more thing. You said, “And they are inherently human systems therefore not perfect.” The Orthodox would say that you are right. Every other system is inherently human. But the reason why the Orthodox faith has been preserved is because it is not inherently human. It is tradition handed down from the beginning that has been preserved by God and not changed by humans. No one person dictates what the Church believes. Anything defined/redefined is only done through an Ecumenical Council. Which could be part of the reason why suggesting anything new to the Orthodox faith is unheard of. And nothing is changed on a whim. The Bible is not interpreted in accordance with our personal world views, but rather through the traditions handed down from generation to generation. The Orthodox would claim that any deviations from the “traditional beliefs” come from the thoughts of individuals rather than the Church as a collective. (okay, that just sounds a little bit Borg-ish *lol*)
On a side note, I think the Orthodox Church is attempting to be relevant to today. It’s not like it thinks we are in the 16th century, and there are many in the Orthodox Church who think it is long overdue for another Ecumenical Council. If I were to be critical, I would say one of the reasons why the Orthodox Church doesn’t make a difference in North America is because of its unwillingness to change its culture while maintaining its faith. Too many of the churches want to stick with the “old” ways that have to do with ethnic background and equate them with the tenets of the faith rather than recognizing that there is culture here that isn’t necessarily distinctively Ukrainian or Greek or whatever. The Church needs to realize that to reach people now doesn’t mean to make them more ethnically Orthodox. And, really, there needs to be a ‘revival’ in the Orthodox Church where people realize that being Orthodox isn’t fire insurance. Now, I know they’d never say it exactly that way – it’s more an Evangelical saying. But the revival needs to be of the hearts, changing attitudes as well as behaviour. Being Orthodox is not some elitist club that makes a person extra special. Just like loud, raunchy Praise & Worship doesn’t make a better worshiper, either. It’s not about the style (or at least it shouldn’t be). It’s about the faith.
Well, I’m not entirely sure that I answered my questions, either. And there is much more that could be said, but they’ll have to be said another day.
*Bruce knows the St. Vincent thing. “Hold fast that faith which has been believed everywhere, always and by all”
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Meme
I have a friend who has a ton of these on her blog which I love to read but don't go to very often because it takes my computer forever to load (do you know who you are ;-)? ). So I just picked one to do.
1. How old will you be in 10 months?
36
2. Do you think you'll be married by then?
I sure hope so. I'm not planning on changing anything in that department.
3. What do you look forward to most in the next 3 months?
being done catechism classes, seeing my kids get baptized, having another wedding anniversary
4. Who was the last person you called?
a client
5. Who was the last person to call you?
my hubby
6. Do you prefer to call or text?
call. I don't really know how to text
7. Do you have any pets?
nope. Unless you count the fish at work
8. What were you doing at 12am last night?
sleeping
9. Are your parents married/separated/divorced?
divorced (were)
10. When is the last time you saw your mom?
October, 2005. She died in January, 2006
NO ELEVEN?
12. How many states have you lived in?
none. I live in Canada. But 2 provinces
13. How many cities/towns have you lived in?
Five. But one was before I can remember
14. Do you prefer shoes, socks, or bare feet?
socks
15. Are you a social person?
very. Hubby jokes that I know everyone in the City because whenever we go anywhere, I seem to know someone *lol*
16. What was the last thing you ate?
pizza - homemade. yummy
17. What is your favorite ice cream?
vanilla - because I can do so much with it
18. What is your favorite dessert?
hmmm..... don't really have one. But I love chocolate and I always have room for ice cream - because it just melts and fills in the cracks!
NO NINETEEN EITHER?
20. What kind of jelly do you like on your PB & J sandwich?
strawberry or grape. Actually, I don't really need the peanut butter, just give me the jam
21. Do you like coffee?
yes, as long as I can add creamer
22. How many glasses of water a day do you drink on average?
8 oz glasses? mmmm.... about 5 or 6
23. What do you drink in the morning?
if I have time at home, a glass of milk. If not, a coffee at work
24. Last movie rented?
oh, I can't remember the last time I've rented a movie. We have about a hundred at home or we borrow from the library. The last one I watched, though, was Dangerous Minds
25. Do you sleep on a certain side of the bed?
yes
26. Do you know how to play poker?
yes. It's the most fun to play for M&Ms
27. Do you like to cuddle?
Sometimes. Especially if I'm tired
28. Have you ever been to Canada?
Yup. Live here. I've been to the States (Washington, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, California and Hawaii, and across the border to Mexico. We'd like to see the Grand Canyon some day)
29. Do you eat out or at home more often?
at home. I'm cheap
30. Do you know anyone with the same birthday as you?
Nope. But I was born on the anniversary that Pearl Harbour was bombed
32. Do you speak any other languages?
Not really. Took French up to grade 12
33. Have you ever gotten stitches?
Oh, man, yes. Three on my chin, a couple on my bum (don't ask), ten on each arm, and I had babies
34. Have you ever been in an ambulance?
yes. Twice. The first time I totalled a friends car and don't remember the trip at all. Just that I didn't really want to be in the ambulance because I knew it would cost money, and we didn't have a lot of it. The second was when we were in an accident a couple years ago. I sat in the ambulance with my kids, but didn't travel in it.
35. Do you prefer an ocean or a pool?
depends on why I'm there. I don't care much for swimming, but I'd rather swim in a pool than in the ocean. And I don't really like getting sandy, but like walking along the beach. So really, if it was just to hang out, I'd rather be in a park on a hot day sitting in the shade.
36. Do you prefer a window seat or an aisle seats?
window
37. Do you know how to drive a stick shift?
yup. My first car was a standard
38.What is your favorite thing to spend your money on?
I don't like to spend money. So I guess my favourite spending money activity is garage saleing. It's our entertainment in the summer.
39. Do you wear any jewelry 24/7?
Yes. I have a necklace with a cross that I have had since my grade 12 graduation. I also have a pair of earrings from hubby, my wedding rings, my grandma's wedding rings, and a ring set that my mom had made which represents her and my grandma. I also have my mom's dinner ring that I would be wearing, except it has a claw that needs replacing and I don't want to lose the stone.
40. What is your favorite TV show?
Stargate, Star Trek (all of them - although Next Generation is my least favourite). We have Babylon 5, Firefly and Corner Gas on DVD also. I don't generally watch TV - just the shows if we have them on DVD (we have peasant-vision and now I'm spoiled with not having to watch commercials *lol*). If I have to pick actually TV, then probably the news. Hubby thinks I'm a news junky
41. Can you roll your tongue?
yes
42. Who is the funniest person you know?
My kids. They constantly crack me up.
43. Do you sleep with stuffed animals?
nope. Never really did
44. What is the main ringtone on your phone?
what's a ringtone? (kidding :-D ) I don't know. Hubby programmed them. I just know the one for our home phone is different from everyone else
45. Do you still have clothes from when you were little?
I used to, but I don't know where it is right now. It might have been misplaced by now.
46. What is the color of your bedroom walls?
I don't know what it's called. It's supposed to be a darker shade of our hallway walls which almost looks light pinkish/purplish, but the bedroom looks closer to the purplish without really being purple (if that makes sense)
47. Do you shut off the water when you brush your teeth?
of course. I didn't even know that some people left it on until I was much older. I hate wasting anything, including water
48. Do you sleep with your closet doors opened or closed?
We took them off just after we moved in. They were never closed anyway, and the doors just take up space (we have a small house with a lot of stuff)
49. Would you rather be attacked by a big bear or a swarm of killer bees?
Do I really have to pick? Does anybody really answer this one with one of those options? If I'm going to die, just make it quick.
50. Do you flirt a lot?
I don't think so. Let me check with hubby on that and get back to you.
51. What do you dip a chicken nugget in?
ketchup and chicken sauce (mayo) - mixed together. Or BBQ sauce and sweet & sour sauce mixed together
53. Can you change the oil on a car?
If I take it to the garage - the guys there are really handy
54. Have you ever gotten a speeding ticket?
yup
55. Do you dance in the car while driving?
not usually. I don't often have the music on
Wow. Well, maybe tonight wasn't the best time for me to decide to do the longest one of these *lol* Oh, well. Too late now!
1. How old will you be in 10 months?
36
2. Do you think you'll be married by then?
I sure hope so. I'm not planning on changing anything in that department.
3. What do you look forward to most in the next 3 months?
being done catechism classes, seeing my kids get baptized, having another wedding anniversary
4. Who was the last person you called?
a client
5. Who was the last person to call you?
my hubby
6. Do you prefer to call or text?
call. I don't really know how to text
7. Do you have any pets?
nope. Unless you count the fish at work
8. What were you doing at 12am last night?
sleeping
9. Are your parents married/separated/divorced?
divorced (were)
10. When is the last time you saw your mom?
October, 2005. She died in January, 2006
NO ELEVEN?
12. How many states have you lived in?
none. I live in Canada. But 2 provinces
13. How many cities/towns have you lived in?
Five. But one was before I can remember
14. Do you prefer shoes, socks, or bare feet?
socks
15. Are you a social person?
very. Hubby jokes that I know everyone in the City because whenever we go anywhere, I seem to know someone *lol*
16. What was the last thing you ate?
pizza - homemade. yummy
17. What is your favorite ice cream?
vanilla - because I can do so much with it
18. What is your favorite dessert?
hmmm..... don't really have one. But I love chocolate and I always have room for ice cream - because it just melts and fills in the cracks!
NO NINETEEN EITHER?
20. What kind of jelly do you like on your PB & J sandwich?
strawberry or grape. Actually, I don't really need the peanut butter, just give me the jam
21. Do you like coffee?
yes, as long as I can add creamer
22. How many glasses of water a day do you drink on average?
8 oz glasses? mmmm.... about 5 or 6
23. What do you drink in the morning?
if I have time at home, a glass of milk. If not, a coffee at work
24. Last movie rented?
oh, I can't remember the last time I've rented a movie. We have about a hundred at home or we borrow from the library. The last one I watched, though, was Dangerous Minds
25. Do you sleep on a certain side of the bed?
yes
26. Do you know how to play poker?
yes. It's the most fun to play for M&Ms
27. Do you like to cuddle?
Sometimes. Especially if I'm tired
28. Have you ever been to Canada?
Yup. Live here. I've been to the States (Washington, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, California and Hawaii, and across the border to Mexico. We'd like to see the Grand Canyon some day)
29. Do you eat out or at home more often?
at home. I'm cheap
30. Do you know anyone with the same birthday as you?
Nope. But I was born on the anniversary that Pearl Harbour was bombed
32. Do you speak any other languages?
Not really. Took French up to grade 12
33. Have you ever gotten stitches?
Oh, man, yes. Three on my chin, a couple on my bum (don't ask), ten on each arm, and I had babies
34. Have you ever been in an ambulance?
yes. Twice. The first time I totalled a friends car and don't remember the trip at all. Just that I didn't really want to be in the ambulance because I knew it would cost money, and we didn't have a lot of it. The second was when we were in an accident a couple years ago. I sat in the ambulance with my kids, but didn't travel in it.
35. Do you prefer an ocean or a pool?
depends on why I'm there. I don't care much for swimming, but I'd rather swim in a pool than in the ocean. And I don't really like getting sandy, but like walking along the beach. So really, if it was just to hang out, I'd rather be in a park on a hot day sitting in the shade.
36. Do you prefer a window seat or an aisle seats?
window
37. Do you know how to drive a stick shift?
yup. My first car was a standard
38.What is your favorite thing to spend your money on?
I don't like to spend money. So I guess my favourite spending money activity is garage saleing. It's our entertainment in the summer.
39. Do you wear any jewelry 24/7?
Yes. I have a necklace with a cross that I have had since my grade 12 graduation. I also have a pair of earrings from hubby, my wedding rings, my grandma's wedding rings, and a ring set that my mom had made which represents her and my grandma. I also have my mom's dinner ring that I would be wearing, except it has a claw that needs replacing and I don't want to lose the stone.
40. What is your favorite TV show?
Stargate, Star Trek (all of them - although Next Generation is my least favourite). We have Babylon 5, Firefly and Corner Gas on DVD also. I don't generally watch TV - just the shows if we have them on DVD (we have peasant-vision and now I'm spoiled with not having to watch commercials *lol*). If I have to pick actually TV, then probably the news. Hubby thinks I'm a news junky
41. Can you roll your tongue?
yes
42. Who is the funniest person you know?
My kids. They constantly crack me up.
43. Do you sleep with stuffed animals?
nope. Never really did
44. What is the main ringtone on your phone?
what's a ringtone? (kidding :-D ) I don't know. Hubby programmed them. I just know the one for our home phone is different from everyone else
45. Do you still have clothes from when you were little?
I used to, but I don't know where it is right now. It might have been misplaced by now.
46. What is the color of your bedroom walls?
I don't know what it's called. It's supposed to be a darker shade of our hallway walls which almost looks light pinkish/purplish, but the bedroom looks closer to the purplish without really being purple (if that makes sense)
47. Do you shut off the water when you brush your teeth?
of course. I didn't even know that some people left it on until I was much older. I hate wasting anything, including water
48. Do you sleep with your closet doors opened or closed?
We took them off just after we moved in. They were never closed anyway, and the doors just take up space (we have a small house with a lot of stuff)
49. Would you rather be attacked by a big bear or a swarm of killer bees?
Do I really have to pick? Does anybody really answer this one with one of those options? If I'm going to die, just make it quick.
50. Do you flirt a lot?
I don't think so. Let me check with hubby on that and get back to you.
51. What do you dip a chicken nugget in?
ketchup and chicken sauce (mayo) - mixed together. Or BBQ sauce and sweet & sour sauce mixed together
53. Can you change the oil on a car?
If I take it to the garage - the guys there are really handy
54. Have you ever gotten a speeding ticket?
yup
55. Do you dance in the car while driving?
not usually. I don't often have the music on
Wow. Well, maybe tonight wasn't the best time for me to decide to do the longest one of these *lol* Oh, well. Too late now!
Swimming to Baptism
This week is crazy busy with it being Holy Week plus all the regular stuff we do. And Shaeleigh has started swimming lessons this week, too. We are hoping at the end of the lessons she will be less afraid of the water and be willing to be baptized. At the moment she refuses to put her head in the water, and we definitely don't want her baptism to be a traumatic event, so we will see how it goes. If you feel so inclined, please pray for her. She has an amazing faith but says she is not a Christian because she hasn't been baptized, and says that she will get baptized when she is 13 (or 18 - depending on the day you ask :-p) I can see how there are those who could say that they have known God their whole lives. Both she and Brendan just believe. There is no doubt that God exists. We would like to join the Church as a family, but will not force either of our children to be baptized if they refuse. Brendan says he's ready.
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