My faith

Orthodoxy is a grounding, beautiful faith. It demands a lot of me and in return, brings me to God. Not a poor exchange in my book.

It equals us - men & women, rich & poor, thin & fat, young & old etc. We are all humbled before the Cross. We are all equal in our need for salvation. We are alone and together in our efforts before God. It is a communal faith, strengthened through the body of believers as we each work out our salvation.

It's not an easy path, yet it is straightforward and well traveled. We have the luxury of those who have gone before us - the luxury of their wisdom, their examples, their prayers.

I struggle with my faith, with the simple act of believing the words of the gospels. I am so accustomed to the stories, the parables, that I often forget to hear them. And when I forget to hear them, I forget them. My mind is busy with the frivolities of life - the whims and distractions of meaningless noise. As I begin to think about the Passion ahead, I know I must reel myself in, or better yet allow God to reel me in. I have not yet begun to repent and Holy Week is soon upon us. My only prayer is at once simple and difficult. I pray for His grace, forgiveness, for the beginning of my repentance.

God be merciful to me, a sinner, and have mercy on me.