Lent JourneySample

DAY 8 Awakening Nikos Kazantzakis, with his Greek-Orthodox background, wrote about one of the most important turning points in his life. As a young teenager searching for wisdom for his life ahead, he visited Atos to meet with a well-known monk. He writes about this visit and what he heard. Working up courage, I entered the cave and proceeded toward the voice. The ascetic was curled up on the ground. He had raised his head, and I was able in the half-light to make out his face as it gleamed in the depths of unutterable beatitude… I did not know what to say, where to begin… Finally I gathered up courage. “Do you still wrestle with the devil, Father Makarios?” I asked him. “Not any longer, my child. I have grown old now, and he has grown old with me. He doesn’t have strength… I wrestle with God.” “With God!” I exclaimed in astonishment. “And you hope to win?” “ I hope to loose, my child. My bones remain with me still, and they continue to resist.” “Yours is a hard life, Father. I too want to be saved. Is there no other way?” “More agreeable?” asked the ascetic, smiling compassionately. “More human, Father.” “One, only one.” “What is it?” “Ascent. To climb a series of steps. From the full stomach to hunger, from the slaked throat to thirst, from joy to suffering. God sits at the summit of hunger, thirst, and suffering; the devil sits at the summit of a comfortable life. Choose.” “I am still young. The world is nice. I have time to choose.” Reaching out with the five bones of his hand, the ascetic touched my knee and pushed me. “Wake up, my child. Wake up before death wakes you up.” This was part of the message that Jesus shared. Even though we are not physically asleep, we are unaware of a greater obvious reality in our lives. Jesus wants us to wake up, and not fall asleep. I sleep by losing my consciousness regarding his presence and workings in my life. When I am overcome by sadness, challenges and distractions, I fall asleep. The only way I can stay awake is by spiritual exercises (practices). That is the purpose behind all spiritual practices. The basis is always prayer, and that is what Jesus does on the cross – He prays. Jesus on the cross, is wide-awake – deeply conscious of his Father and the needs of others around Him. EXERCISE • Take a few moments to talk to God and to share your feelings about your consciousness with Him. • As an exercise for the day, use your cellphone as a tool. Each time you look at it, become aware of God’s presence.