GREAT LENT PASTORAL OF THE UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC HIERARCHY OF THE USA

Indeed, many of us were able to recognize authentic blessings, we experienced a renewed awareness of family, a peace that comes with authentic humility, a peace that comes with wakefulness to God’s presence and guidance in the face of hardship. This past year we have seen some of the best of humanity: heroic acts of authentic solidarity, examples of inspiring mutual service, medical care in dangerous circumstances, chaplaincy work in hospitals, the service of first responders. We adapted in order to make sure that community worship could be safe for the faithful and clergy. We found new ways to teach and educate, to visit the sick and housebound, to provide food and donations in kind for the poor, to support those with crisis pregnancies, and more. There is much to make us ponder and wonder, be thankful for and give praise.

In a certain sense, last year’s Lent had an old-time quality. It is said that in pre-modern centuries in Ukraine and other Christian countries there was a “social hush” during Great Lent. Everything quieted down. Individuals and families focused inward, judging themselves in the light of the Gospel, rather than judging others. Towns and villages as communities, and nations as cultures entered together into a spirit of penance: a recognition of and remorse for transgressions, violence and greed, deceit and betrayal, individual and social sin. Indeed, last year we had a Great Lent without parties and galivanting. We stayed home. And while we were unable to receive each other into our homes, we were able to welcome the Lord into our lives, and remind ourselves that each and every household is called to be a domestic church, a place of growth in faith, prayer, and caring for others.

In the end, our home is much more than a physical place. It is a spiritual and moral reality. Our home is with the Lord, who invites us to “come and see” and be with Him (see Jn 1:35-39). It is where we work and serve, where we become a blessing to others, where we are free to be ourselves, have a sense of being where we belong, are not full of ourselves. We are at home when we fulfill our calling, follow God’s will. We are at home when we are pure in thought, action and word, long-suffering, kind, and gentle, as God is with us.

This Great Lent let us build on the lessons learned this past year. Our journey home is well on its way. This precious, yet fragile gift of life we share, is one of pilgrimage, of repentance, of living up to the faith that God has in each one of us, in deep humility. Let us be guided by the ancient Lenten Prayer of St. Ephrem:

St. Ephraim’s prayer encapsulates the striving of the season, one that leads us to the triumph of Pascha, the victory of the Savior over our shame, fear, and death itself. Let it be our personal and community prayer as we fall down before the Lord of mercy, confident of His love and hospitality. On our Lenten journey let us remember how the disciples followed Jesus. For them home was not a place, but a Person—the same One who calls out to us today: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mt 4:17).

We will be praying with you and for you!

Christ is in our midst! He is and always will be!

+Borys Gudziak, Archbishop of Philadelphia, Metropolitan of Ukrainian Catholics in the United States

+Paul Chomnycky, OSBM, Eparch of Stamford

+Benedict Aleksiychuk, Eparch of St. Nicholas in Chicago

+Bohdan J. Danylo, Eparch of St. Josaphat in Parma

+Andriy Rabiy, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia