The Triodion & Stewardship – Part II

Spiritual Connection

“The accomplishment of any worth while goal requires the one who desires its achievement to increase their effort significantly at some point in order to succeed.”  In other words, as human beings (unlike machines), we need to periodically refocus, rededicate, and redouble our efforts in order to successfully accomplish our heart’s desire.  This is precisely the opportunity that the Church provides us with in the Triodion.  We are not called to “give something up” for Lent, as our Western Christian brethren proclaim.  On the contrary, as Orthodox Christians, we are offered the opportunity to regain what may have been lost, set aside, or ignored over the past year – namely, the very presence of Christ, and His Coming Kingdom!

The Fathers of the Church have provided us with Three Great Pillars of Lent, to be erected on the foundation of Jesus Christ, in order to construct our own glorious Temple dedicated to God.  These Pillars of Prayer, Fasting, and Works of Charity are neither ends in themselves, nor solely sacrificial in nature.  They are not items to be checked off a list, as if their accomplishment (in whatever form) makes us “good little Orthodox Christians.”  They are however, tools that can assist us in getting back on track spiritually.  They also have a direct connection to our Stewardship, in that they represent a purposeful and productive adjustment in how we use our Time, Talent, and Treasure.

Time is, as we know, the most precious resource that we possess.  When we choose to spend our Time developing a deeper relationship with Christ through prayer (both personal and corporate), we in effect, strengthen our Stewardship.  When we choose to use our Talents in various means of Fasting, we can’t help but deepen our Stewardship.  When we choose to designate an increasing portion of our Treasure for Works of Charity within the Church, we make great spiritual strides forward in terms of our calling to be good Stewards.  When we choose to follow the Church’s guidance, and combine all three in a concerted way during the Triodion, the spiritual results and rewards become truly exponential!

The Church, in her infinite wisdom, great pastoral care, and exceeding loving-kindness toward us, does not expect us to make these spiritual adjustments overnight.  Rather, our Holy Mother Church draws us steadily closer into her sweet and loving embrace, until she deposits us into the very outstretched arms of our Savior Himself.  This steady increase is exemplified in not only the escalating Fasting regimen that we spoke about last time, but especially in the Gospel Passages of the first three Sundays, and how they connect directly to our Stewardship.  The first Sunday presents us with the Pharisee, who although was tithing (giving 10%) of everything he received, missed out on the blessings of his actions because of both his hardness of heart, and condemnation of his brethren.  The second Gospel tells of how the loving Father gave half (50%) of his wealth to his son, and then received him back again (even after he squandered it), showing that our true inheritance cannot be depleted.  The third Sunday describes how we are all to be held accountable before the Judgment Seat of Christ by providing (or not) for the needs (100%) of our fellow pilgrims.  These images draw our minds to an ever-increasing understanding of our total reliance on, and complete responsibility for, the gracious gifts that God pours out upon us.

The Church reminds us through both these Sacred Passages, and the three Pillars of Lent, as well as their connection to the expressions of our Christian Stewardship (Time, Talent, and Treasure), that everything belongs to God, and we have been given the great blessing of participating in His Grace, right here, right now, through this magnificent period called the Triodion!  This period of the Triodion is not only an opportunity for us as individuals to experience spiritual growth, but is also part of our collective corporate Stewardship within the Church.  May your Stewardship journey toward our Lord’s never-ending Pascha continue to be blessed, both this year, and in years to come, but for now, that’s My Two Cents!