Gail B. Hyatt

I don’t know about you, but the way I greet the morning sets the tone for my entire day. I can either begin the day with a sense of anticipation or with a sense of dread. When I accept this day as a gift from God, never to be experienced again, filled with challenges to be met, possibilites to be explored, lessons to be learned, battles to be fought, treasures to be discovered, and growth to be realized, I want to be all there. I want to be completely tuned in to the One who’s orchestrating it. I don’t want to miss a beat. Much easier said than done.

I need lots of help, so one of the things I do is pray in the morning. I set my focus on the One whose lead I purpose to follow. I love using the prayers of godly men and women, who have crossed the finish line of life, as a springboard for my own prayers. Here is one of my favorites:

THE PRAYER OF SAINT PATRICK
(The Breastplate – Lorica – of Saint Patrick, 5th Century)

I arise today
Through a mighty strength,
the invocation of the Trinity,
Through the belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of Creation.

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Yesterday was “Forgiveness Sunday” in the Orthodox Church. It’s the final step of preparation before Great Lent officially begins. (Lent officially begins the following Monday—known as “Clean Monday.”)

I mentioned on Twitter that our Forgiveness Vespers last evening was a beautiful and moving service. Some then asked what is Forgiveness Vespers? As I considered what to say, I came across a short explanation by the late Fr. Alexander Schmemann, a popular Orthodox theologian. Rather than to explain it in my own words, I’m going to share his thoughts with you with some of my own notes added:

Forgiveness Sunday
Thoughts by Alexander Schmemann

In the Orthodox Church, the last Sunday before Great Lent—the day on which, at Vespers [Evening prayer service], Lent is liturgically announced and inaugurated— is called Forgiveness Sunday. On the morning of that Sunday, at the Divine Liturgy [the Eucharistic liturgy], we hear the words of Christ:

“If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses…” (Mark 6:14–15)

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