The paschal season of the Church is preceded by the season of Great Lent, which is also preceded by its own liturgical preparation. The first sign of the approach of Great Lent comes five Sundays before its beginning. On this Sunday the Gospel reading is about Zacchaeus the tax-collector. It tells how Christ brought salvation to the sinful man, and how his life was changed simply because he “sought to see who Jesus was” (Luke 19:3). The desire and effort to see Jesus begins the entire movement through Lent towards Pascha. It is the first movement of salvation.

Our lenten journey begins with a recognition of our own sinfulness, just as Zacchaeus recognized his. He promised to make restitution by giving half of his wealth to the poor, and by paying to those he had falsely accused four times as much as they had lost. In this, he went beyond the requirements of the Law (Ex. 22:3-12).

The example of Zacchaeus teaches us that we should turn away from our sins, and atone for them. The real proof of our sorrow and repentance is not just a verbal apology, but when we correct ourselves and try to make amends for the consequences of our evil actions.

We are also assured of God’s mercy and compassion by Christ’s words to Zacchaeus, “Today salvation is come to this house” (Luke 19:9). After the Great Doxology at Sunday Matins (when the Tone of the week is Tone 1, 3, 5, 7) we sing the Dismissal Hymn of the Resurrection “Today salvation has come to the world,” which echoes the Lord’s words to Zacchaeus.

Zacchaeus was short, so he climbed a tree in order to see the Lord. All of us have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). We are also short in our spiritual stature, therefore we must climb the ladder of the virtues. In other words, we must prepare for spiritual effort and growth.

WHY DO WE HAVE OUR HOMES BLESSED EVERY YEAR WITH HOLY WATER?

There are few things more vital to our lives than our homes. In our homes we pray, we work, we talk to others, we order our lives, we work out our marriages, etc. What more important place to reclaim for the Kingdom of God – or is it better to continue living in a place which is occupied by the enemy. For the most effective working out of our salvation, we must drive the enemy out of our homes, and keep him at bay by our prayers, our righteous life, and the annual sprinkling with Holy Water, by the priest, at Theophany. The custom of having our homes blessed on the Feast of the Theophany and the days which follow, is found among Russian Orthodox Christians. The priest comes to bless our homes in the name of the Holy Trinity and, in blessing our homes, he asks God to purify us from all evil and sins that we have committed during the year, to forgive us our iniquities, and to ask God to grant to us His protection during the coming year.
In preparation for the coming of the priest, every home should have a deep bowl ready with newly blessed holy water, a lit candle, an icon of the Theophany or a Cross, and a list of all the names of the people living in the home so that they may be mentioned in the Litany. In the procession from one room to another, someone in the household should go before the priest with the lit candle. This is symbolic of St. John the Baptist before Jesus, the Light that came to enlighten the entire world.
All radios and televisions should be turned off. Please remember that this is a liturgical service and should be treated as such.

Many Years to Anna Dragon on her 100th Birthday!