Lenten Reading: Ash Wednesday
First Fruits, Introduction (ix-xl) and The Canon, Chapter 1 (2-5)

We now have copies of First Fruits of Prayer: A Forty-Day Journey Through the Canon of St. Andrew (hereafter FF), and we'll make them available at the Ash Wednesday service at St. Thomas Lutheran Church and at our Thursday evening meeting at First Presbyterian Church. Once you get your copy of FF and start to read it, you'll find it on the cutting-edge of interesting and provocative Christian thinking, especially for us in the Western Church who have little acquaintance with the spiritual heart of Eastern Orthodox Christians. As soon as possible, read the Introduction (ix-xl) and move on directly to The Canon, Chapter 1 (2-5). Then in a day or so, go to the Appendix and "The Life of St. Mary of Egypt."

My suggestion is that you don't try to capture or understand everything too quickly. You'll find the Eastern way of the thinking about the Faith different enough that you'll need to slowly soak it up. Think of yourself as a brand new dry sponge who is slowly and frequently being dipped into fresh bubbling water. As you enter into the new spiritual territory of the Eastern Orthodox, remember that Frederica Matthews-Green is a wonderful guide, well-respected throughout the Christian world for her insights, love for the Church, and ability to communicate across the traditions. After you read a bit, do a bit of reflecting and share your thoughts by posting a comment or so. When you see someone else's comments, comment on a comment.

Be a sponge, dip, then squeeze (post a comment!) so that all of us--and that includes anyone reading this blog--can dip and squeeze again and again, getting wetter and wetter in all the Orthodox water! It'll be a great way to pilgrimage with an Orthodox friend toward Holy Week and Easter.