Today the time of earthly deeds is revealed for judgment is at hand. Let us be found fasting and let us bring tears of supplication, begging mercy and crying out: “I have sinned more times than there are sands of the sea; but forgive me, O Creator of All, that I may  receive the crown that does not perish.”

As we bring the second week of the Great Fast to a close, we recall the Second Triumph of Orthodoxy, in the 14th Century the Church declared the teachings of St. Gregory Palamas as representative of the true faith. Recall that the First Triumph of Orthodoxy, that is the Council’s declaration that the use of icons was not only legitimate but also of the true faith. Although these commemorations are independent of Lent, they happened historically during Lent and therefore are remembered.

Like the weekends that we celebrated before the Great Fast, this weekend also takes its name from the Gospel story we use. It is the miracle story of the cure of the Palsied Man. It stresses, in my mind, the healing power that belief in Jesus has and calls us to ask Him to heal us.

Some might ask, Why should I ask for healing? If we are honest, all of us suffer from some kind of paralysis. If we didn’t, we would be perfect and not need to spiritually grow. The typical paralysis that most of us experience is an inability to love others unconditionally and not to judge them. As long as there is one person we refuse to unconditionally forgive or love, we are spiritually paralyzed.

There are other ways in which we are spiritually paralyzed. Whenever we are unable to accept life as it is given to us, we are spiritually paralyzed.

We are cured of any spiritual paralysis when we truly understand this general law: Humans can only receive what they are willing and capable of giving to others. This means that we are not paralyzed by our own   feelings and experiences. Knowing and feeling we are loved is critical to our spiritual growth. This is achieved, however, only when n a person can give unconditional love and forgiveness to others. Then, and only then, can he discover how much God loves him – he is able to receive God’s love.

Personal transformation involves seeking cure for any spiritual paralysis and freely embracing the Way of Jesus.