Today is Great Holy Tuesday in the Orthodox Church. This coming Sunday is Pascha, Easter. Holy Week is framed in an eschatological setting and looks forward and inward to the end of being in this world but not of it. Repentance and humility are the themes of Great Lent, and this week moves with a laser-like focus to the Midnight of this old world. The death of Christ on the cross and the resurrection signaled the end of this world and that a new time and new world had come—The Kingdom of God.
We still struggle in this world even though we are no longer of this world. We still struggle as the Pharisees in this world, not seeing ourselves clearly and often blinded to our own self-righteousness. As with the 10 Virgins, we struggle, but desire to keep our lamps burning. Indeed, we must keep our lamps burning for Midnight will ultimately and finally come and we must be prepared to embrace its arrival.
Holy Week and Pascha are not some kind of memorial of a past event but is present, active, and unfolds the reality of death and resurrection now in His Kingdom. As the priest stands with the Eucharistic elements this week and throughout the year, he stands in a timeless space, an eternal space, for the death and resurrection of Christ has changed not only time but the order of the universe.
Holy week leaves us with an eschatological yet present view of the Kingdom of God and our place in His Kingdom.
To our friends and family in the Orthodox Church, prayers for a blessed week and Pascha.
James D. Allen https://3dchurchconsulting.com/
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Dr. James D Allen
Dr. Allen served as a seminary VP, pastor, and as a trustee on a Christian mental health Board. He has earned a BA, MA, MA Biblical Counseling, Doctor of Ministry. Dr Allen has also preached on 5 continents, lived in 3 nations, and so has a diverse Christian experience. He has a distinguished career of being a pastor, consultant, author, and educator. MY FIRST LOVE--Being a Pastor and encouraging others!