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To the clergy, laity and friends of the Melkite Eparchy of Newton
Christ is with us! Now and always!
We have started in peace and joy, the first of three Lenten seasons leading up to the bi-millenial celebration of the coming of our Savior. This first year's theme focuses on faith in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ, the pre-eternal Word of God who took flesh for our salvation. The words of St. Paul in his epistle to the Philippians spring to mind. "Though He was in the form of God, He did not consider equality with God something to be clung to. He emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave.... He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even to death on a cross." (Phil 2:6-8)
The Father's economy of salvation called the Son to obedience and in this way undid the disobedience of Adam and Eve. The Son's humility nullifies Adam's pride. The Lord's refusal to "cling" to divinity stands in marked contrast to Adam's hand straining to grasp divinity in Eden. Our first parents who filled themselves with the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and civil find their redemption in the self-emptying of the Lord. The tree of life is revealed as the cross of Christ.
Here then is disclosed our Lenten program. We are to return to the Paradise from which we were expelled. The path is repentance; the way -- humility; the toll -- obedience; the measure--giving instead of grasping; the journey-- self-emptying (both physical and spiritual through fasting). Let the Lenten melody of prayer lighten our way. Let us wend our way to Pascha, meditating on St. Paul's words of wisdom: "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things... and the God of peace be with you." (Phil. 4:8-9)
Let us pray for one another as a blessed and happy family, especially during this sacred season of the Great and Holy Lent. Let us pray "that all may be one," according to Our Lord's prayer at the Last Supper. May our repentance, humility, obedience, self-emptying and generosity lead us to greater unity with each other and with Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls. To Him be glory for ever. Amen.
+ John A. Elya
Eparch of Newton