GOSPEL MESSAGE & RECORDING
Giving a defense of what we believe is not something that most of us are comfortable with. In fact, it’s the one thing that most of us don’t like doing or will not do in terms of our Orthodox Christian faith. Personally, I have to tell you that I am not comfortable with defending my faith when questions arise or when I find myself in a situation where I have to reply to someone else’s idea of faith or religion. But I can also say that I have gotten better at it. I mention this because I want to make the point that this is not something that unique to laypeople, it is also true for clergy.
Before I get further into my talk, I wanted to define what giving a defense means. Usually, when we think of the word defense, we think of fighting back, that is, defending ourselves against someone trying to assault us. Or we might think of someone like a defense attorney who has to defend their client. In the religious context, it means addressing issues or concerns that rise up that contradict the essential tenants of the faith. Those non-negotiables that we can’t bend on, like Christ's divinity, the Trinity, Mary as Mother of God, etc. These are areas that we might have a hard time addressing or defending because we simply don’t have the knowledge. But on a general level, we need to have some idea why we do what we are doing and have personal experience that yields positive results so that we can at least provide a personal reason as to why it is meaningful to us. That’s what St. Paul means when he says as read today in the General Epistle, “But even if you should suffer for righteousness sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” But sanctify [d]the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 8: 14-15)
For St. Peter who wrote this, I don’t think he was speaking on an academic level; rather, on a personal level. That is the ability for ourselves to be convicted about what we are doing and experiencing. I think this is most applicable now than ever when we are engaged in observing Lent.
Why is this meaningful to me?
If we do something for a prolonged period of time just based on practice, familiarity or habit, it will get boring and we won’t want to do it anymore after some time. So, it has to be worthwhile for us if we are going to make it meaningful.How? By the realize the positive results that it yields, the benefits.
Benefits: health -- obvious. Mental clarity. Spiritually.Where am I going with this?
Sin is not to be exhumed and then put back into our lives after great Lent. Our health issues are not at the forefront for Lent and then put on the backburner after Lent. Lent is the pregame and the real game is the non-Lenten seasons.