Journey through the Sundays of Lent

1. Journey through theJourney through the
Sundays of LentSundays of Lent
University Meeting 2009: Ehab RoufailUniversity Meeting 2009: Ehab Roufail
Based on “Based on “Journey to the Bosom of the Father”Journey to the Bosom of the Father”
By Hegomen Pishoy Kamel By Hegomen Pishoy Kamel

2. OutlineOutline
 The Journey BeginsThe Journey Begins
 Preparation Sunday (Matt. 6:1-8)Preparation Sunday (Matt. 6:1-8)
 Treasuring Sunday (Matt. 6:24-34)Treasuring Sunday (Matt. 6:24-34)
 Temptation Sunday (Matt. 4: 1-10)Temptation Sunday (Matt. 4: 1-10)
 Sunday of the ProdigalSunday of the Prodigal (Luke 15:11-32)(Luke 15:11-32)
 Sunday of the Samaritan (Matt 21:28–32)Sunday of the Samaritan (Matt 21:28–32)
 Sunday of the Paralysed Man (John 4:1-42)Sunday of the Paralysed Man (John 4:1-42)
 Sunday of the Marn Born Blind (Sunday of the Marn Born Blind ( John 5: 1–John 5: 1–
18)18)

3. The JourneyThe Journey
BeginsBegins
The Journey BeginsThe Journey Begins
 The essence of the fall was prideThe essence of the fall was pride
 This is the essence of the fast, that we crucify this inherentThis is the essence of the fast, that we crucify this inherent
selfishness so that we may love others. For Christ’s love inselfishness so that we may love others. For Christ’s love in
this world is a crucified love.this world is a crucified love.
 It is warfare against the passions.It is warfare against the passions.
 Fasting is to realize that I am limitedFasting is to realize that I am limited
 Fasting is a sign that God is the Source of life and not breadFasting is a sign that God is the Source of life and not bread
 During the fast, there exists a a dual path: one to Christ andDuring the fast, there exists a a dual path: one to Christ and
the other to our fellow brothers and sisters.the other to our fellow brothers and sisters.

4. The Journey Begins:The Journey Begins:
FastingFasting
Fasting:Fasting:
 The practice of fasting looks to theThe practice of fasting looks to the pastpast,, presentpresent
andand futurefuture::
 ToTo the pastthe past,, as a recognition of offencesas a recognition of offences
committed against God and others;committed against God and others;
 ToTo the presentthe present,, in order that we may learn to openin order that we may learn to open
our eyes to others and to the world around us;our eyes to others and to the world around us;
 ToTo the futurethe future,, in order that we may open ourin order that we may open our
hearts to the realities of God and, by the gift ofhearts to the realities of God and, by the gift of
divine mercy, renew the bond of communion with alldivine mercy, renew the bond of communion with all
people and with the whole of creation, accepting thepeople and with the whole of creation, accepting the
responsibility which each of us has in historyresponsibility which each of us has in history

5. Preparation Sunday:Preparation Sunday:
Shut your DoorShut your Door
The Point of Departure of the JourneyThe Point of Departure of the Journey
““When you pray enter into your closet,...shut your door, pray to your FatherWhen you pray enter into your closet,...shut your door, pray to your Father
which is in secret....” Also if you give alms or fast that also should be towhich is in secret....” Also if you give alms or fast that also should be to
the Father in secret....the Father in secret....
 The Church declares to us that the closet is the point of departure of theThe Church declares to us that the closet is the point of departure of the
journey of Lent. If it does not start at the closet then the journey of ourjourney of Lent. If it does not start at the closet then the journey of our
fast has deviated from its true course. The fact that the Church starts thefast has deviated from its true course. The fact that the Church starts the
fast by directing us to the closet means that the fast is not only related tofast by directing us to the closet means that the fast is not only related to
the flesh but it is related more to the spirit and to Kingdom of God.the flesh but it is related more to the spirit and to Kingdom of God.
Close Your DoorClose Your Door
 The journey starts after closing the door-the door that looks at the world.The journey starts after closing the door-the door that looks at the world.
Then there opens before us another door that faces heaven, “Our fatherThen there opens before us another door that faces heaven, “Our father
who art in heaven”, “I looked, and, behold a door was opened inwho art in heaven”, “I looked, and, behold a door was opened in
heaven.” (Rev 4:1) “Fasting is not a fetter or a prison to the senses but aheaven.” (Rev 4:1) “Fasting is not a fetter or a prison to the senses but a
soaring without hindrance towards contemplation of God.”soaring without hindrance towards contemplation of God.”

6. Preparation Sunday:Preparation Sunday:
He sees in secretHe sees in secret
Your Father Who Sees in SecretYour Father Who Sees in Secret
 Since the journey is with the soul, it should be done inSince the journey is with the soul, it should be done in
secret. The relationship between the human soul and Christ,secret. The relationship between the human soul and Christ,
is an invisible relationship that begins in the chamber.is an invisible relationship that begins in the chamber.
 So fasting is accompanied by a reduction in talking and visitsSo fasting is accompanied by a reduction in talking and visits
and by concentrating on spiritual readings and attending theand by concentrating on spiritual readings and attending the
Divine Liturgy.Divine Liturgy.
 Our Heavenly Father is calling us to a holy participation withOur Heavenly Father is calling us to a holy participation with
Him in secret, through which we may start our fast, ourHim in secret, through which we may start our fast, our
prayers, and our almsgivings. prayers, and our almsgivings.
 So we need to beware of negligence.So we need to beware of negligence.
Practice: The practice in the week of preparation is thePractice: The practice in the week of preparation is the
prayer of the chamber and the worship in secret which willprayer of the chamber and the worship in secret which will
continue with us all through after the period of fasting.continue with us all through after the period of fasting.

7. Treasuring Sunday:Treasuring Sunday:
SurrenderSurrender
SurrenderSurrender of Life to the Heavenly Father: (Matt.of Life to the Heavenly Father: (Matt.
6:24-34)6:24-34)
The gospel of the first Sunday of Lent calls for theThe gospel of the first Sunday of Lent calls for the
surrender of life to the Father.surrender of life to the Father.
““Take no thought for your life, what you shall eat...norTake no thought for your life, what you shall eat...nor
yet for the body, what you shall wear....do not worryyet for the body, what you shall wear....do not worry
about tomorrow.” The reason for not worrying is thatabout tomorrow.” The reason for not worrying is that
“your heavenly Father knows that you have of all“your heavenly Father knows that you have of all
these things.” (Matt. 6:32).these things.” (Matt. 6:32).
 The practice of this week is a call to a secure life inThe practice of this week is a call to a secure life in
the care of the Father and the carrying out of whatthe care of the Father and the carrying out of what
comes in the verse, “Do not worry about tomorrow,”comes in the verse, “Do not worry about tomorrow,”
physically, mentally and spiritually.physically, mentally and spiritually.

8. Treasuring Sunday:Treasuring Sunday:
AssuranceAssurance
The Christian commandment is full of risks but itsThe Christian commandment is full of risks but its
assuranceassurance is the care of the Father. is the care of the Father.
 The woman who gave the two mites was risking herThe woman who gave the two mites was risking her
meal. During the fast, Satan wages his war bymeal. During the fast, Satan wages his war by
convincing us that we are risking the necessities ofconvincing us that we are risking the necessities of
the body and causes us to worry about our health.the body and causes us to worry about our health.
Likewise, in charity, there is a risk of wealth.Likewise, in charity, there is a risk of wealth.
 In this week, we experience the complete surrenderIn this week, we experience the complete surrender
to the care of the Father and to His commandment.to the care of the Father and to His commandment.

9. Temptation Sunday:Temptation Sunday:
Don’t doubt hisDon’t doubt his
FatherhoodFatherhood
Why does God forget us if He is our Father? (Matt. 4: 1-10)Why does God forget us if He is our Father? (Matt. 4: 1-10)
The gospel of the Second Sunday deals with the temptation ofThe gospel of the Second Sunday deals with the temptation of
doubting God’s paternity to us,doubting God’s paternity to us,
““If you are the son of God-why does He leave you hungry?If you are the son of God-why does He leave you hungry?
Why does God allow the presence of disease, failure and theWhy does God allow the presence of disease, failure and the
death of our beloved?”death of our beloved?”
 Practice: It is our duty this week to examine our faith in thePractice: It is our duty this week to examine our faith in the
love of the Father who gave His Son for us. love of the Father who gave His Son for us.
 Our faith should surpass all temptations and emotions. FaithOur faith should surpass all temptations and emotions. Faith
in the Father should be a faith that fortifies us against thein the Father should be a faith that fortifies us against the
temptation of the Adversary, the hardships of this world andtemptation of the Adversary, the hardships of this world and
the sufferings and desires of the body.the sufferings and desires of the body.

10. Sunday of theSunday of the
Prodigal: RepentanceProdigal: Repentance
Repentance in the Father’s bosom (Luke 15:11-32)Repentance in the Father’s bosom (Luke 15:11-32)
 Repentance in Christianity is different from anyRepentance in Christianity is different from any
other repentance; it is the return of the son to hisother repentance; it is the return of the son to his
Father and the Father running to fall on the neck ofFather and the Father running to fall on the neck of
His son to embrace him and kiss him (Luke 15:20).His son to embrace him and kiss him (Luke 15:20).
This is the gospel of the third Sunday.This is the gospel of the third Sunday.
 The Father’s paternity to us is not because of ourThe Father’s paternity to us is not because of our
righteousness, but because of His paternity to hisrighteousness, but because of His paternity to his
children, especially the sinners.children, especially the sinners.
 The Father’s paternity for us challenges all our sins,The Father’s paternity for us challenges all our sins,
our failures, our betrayal of His love and ourour failures, our betrayal of His love and our
mistreatment of His name.mistreatment of His name.

11. Sunday of theSunday of the
Prodigal: Repent withProdigal: Repent with
HimHim
 Practice: Let’s not permit this week to go byPractice: Let’s not permit this week to go by
without true repentance and resorting to thewithout true repentance and resorting to the
Father’s embrace....Examine this in yourFather’s embrace....Examine this in your
chamber and taste the Father’s embrace andchamber and taste the Father’s embrace and
His kisses which are reserved only for thoseHis kisses which are reserved only for those
who repent. This is the week of repentance inwho repent. This is the week of repentance in
the Father’s bosom, the repentance of thethe Father’s bosom, the repentance of the
whole Church...the communal repentance.whole Church...the communal repentance.

12. Sunday of theSunday of the
Samaritan: WorshipSamaritan: Worship
Worship of the Father in Spirit and in Truth (John 4:1-Worship of the Father in Spirit and in Truth (John 4:1-
42)42)
 The next step after repentance is worship of theThe next step after repentance is worship of the
Father Who accepted and loved me and cleansedFather Who accepted and loved me and cleansed
me from my sins and put me in His bosom. me from my sins and put me in His bosom.
Contrition of the spirit and submission to the FatherContrition of the spirit and submission to the Father
and the love of frequent prostrations in worship areand the love of frequent prostrations in worship are
the expressions of our love for Him who opened Histhe expressions of our love for Him who opened His
arms for us sinners and kissed us. This is the end ofarms for us sinners and kissed us. This is the end of
the road of repentance in the Father’s bosom, andthe road of repentance in the Father’s bosom, and
this is the sweetest fruit of the chamber and whichthis is the sweetest fruit of the chamber and which
the Father gives us in secret.the Father gives us in secret.

13. Sunday of theSunday of the
Samaritan: WorshipSamaritan: Worship
 The Church, inspired by the Spirit, stresses inThe Church, inspired by the Spirit, stresses in
the period of Lent the use of prostrationsthe period of Lent the use of prostrations
during private prayers and in the Divineduring private prayers and in the Divine
Liturgy (At the Offering of Incense after theLiturgy (At the Offering of Incense after the
readings of the prophets).readings of the prophets).
 The practice of this week is to worship theThe practice of this week is to worship the
Father in spirit and truth “for such the FatherFather in spirit and truth “for such the Father
seeks to worship Him.” (John 4:23)seeks to worship Him.” (John 4:23)

14. Sunday of theSunday of the
Paralysed Man:Paralysed Man:
RenewalRenewal
 Bethesda and Baptism (John 5:1-18)Bethesda and Baptism (John 5:1-18)
 The Gospel of the fifth Sunday talks aboutThe Gospel of the fifth Sunday talks about
Bethesda which symbolizes Baptism. We, theBethesda which symbolizes Baptism. We, the
crowds of Christians, were beside it sick,crowds of Christians, were beside it sick,
lame, blind and paralyzed; suffering everylame, blind and paralyzed; suffering every
spiritual sickness. The Angel that moves thespiritual sickness. The Angel that moves the
water symbolizes the Holy Spirit whichwater symbolizes the Holy Spirit which
comes down on the water of Baptism.comes down on the water of Baptism.

15. Sunday of theSunday of the
Paralysed Man: Don’tParalysed Man: Don’t
DespairDespair
 This is our share in Christ: those who areThis is our share in Christ: those who are
baptized are ever in the Father even if theybaptized are ever in the Father even if they
have been sick for 38 years.have been sick for 38 years.
 The practice of this week is to hope andThe practice of this week is to hope and
never to despair—‎Baptism has given us thenever to despair—‎Baptism has given us the
grace of adoption and children are nevergrace of adoption and children are never
disappointed in their hopes in the love of thedisappointed in their hopes in the love of the
Father.Father.

16. Sunday of the ManSunday of the Man
Born Blind:Born Blind:
EnlightenmentEnlightenment
 Sonship is a Spiritual Enlightenment (John 9:1-41)Sonship is a Spiritual Enlightenment (John 9:1-41)
 The last Sunday in Lent is the Sunday of Baptism,The last Sunday in Lent is the Sunday of Baptism,
during which we read the gospel of the man bornduring which we read the gospel of the man born
blind.blind.
 “ “I was blind and now I see.” This is our everlastingI was blind and now I see.” This is our everlasting
experience as children of the Heavenly Father. Weexperience as children of the Heavenly Father. We
were blind and He opened our sight so we beheldwere blind and He opened our sight so we beheld
miracles of His laws and we saw what the prophetsmiracles of His laws and we saw what the prophets
longed to see, and He gave us understanding of thelonged to see, and He gave us understanding of the
Scriptures.Scriptures.

17. Sunday of the ManSunday of the Man
Born Blind:Born Blind:
EnlightenmentEnlightenment
 Baptism means washing (in the pool of Siloam), soBaptism means washing (in the pool of Siloam), so
we become pure.we become pure.
 Repentance is a continuous washing, so we mayRepentance is a continuous washing, so we may
see clearly. Repentance is a continuation ofsee clearly. Repentance is a continuation of
Baptism and it is the means through which we canBaptism and it is the means through which we can
see Christ clearly all our life.see Christ clearly all our life.
 Lasting repentance cleans our heart, renews theLasting repentance cleans our heart, renews the
intellect, protects the contrite soul in the obedienceintellect, protects the contrite soul in the obedience
of the Father, and through repentance, we canof the Father, and through repentance, we can
discover all the graces and secrets of the Heavenlydiscover all the graces and secrets of the Heavenly
Father.Father.

18. Never to late to beginNever to late to begin
the Journeythe Journey
 If we that the Lord is not our treasure – it is not tooIf we that the Lord is not our treasure – it is not too
late to start.late to start.
 If we feel tempted and far from the Lord – it is not tooIf we feel tempted and far from the Lord – it is not too
late to turn to Him in our need.late to turn to Him in our need.
 If we feel lonely and lost in our sin, having separatedIf we feel lonely and lost in our sin, having separated
ourselves from the Church as the Samaritan womanourselves from the Church as the Samaritan woman
– let us come to the Lord to drink His living water.– let us come to the Lord to drink His living water.
 If we have been long in sin as much as 38 years,If we have been long in sin as much as 38 years,
focusing on our own power – it is not too late look tofocusing on our own power – it is not too late look to
Him standing next to us and accept His healing.Him standing next to us and accept His healing.

19. Never to late to beginNever to late to begin
the Journeythe Journey
 If we have been born blind, our eyes shut to theIf we have been born blind, our eyes shut to the
Glory of God – it is not too late to let Him touch andGlory of God – it is not too late to let Him touch and
create new eyescreate new eyes
 If we are dead and our stench is obvious to allIf we are dead and our stench is obvious to all
around – He calls us to arise and come fortharound – He calls us to arise and come forth
 Let us ask and begin wherever we areLet us ask and begin wherever we are