An Offered Treasure

The forty-day holy fast in our Church begins with the petition of the hymnographer “Grant unto me thy word, O Word of the Father” (Kontakion of Forgiveness Sunday). The hymn is clear. The fast is a season of litanies. We had noticed, since we started looking at lent, during the preparation period, that the Church encouraged us to follow the footsteps of God's Word, in obedience and teaching. I would have loved to tell you: “during this fast, come let us dedicate ourselves to the Word Which is worthy of all acceptance”. However, I dare not project my own words on the word of the hymnographer. What is manifest in what he is saying is that the Word he is seeking consists of words. It is, for instance, wisdom, prudent counsel, mercy, or, in a nutshell as allowed by the hymn itself, life during the fast as it pleases the Giver’s favor and conforms with cultivating His gifts. What God has, He wants to give to those who seek it; this is the central idea before us. Indeed, the Great Lent is an offered treasure.