LENTEN LETTER 2025

The Last Judgment Ancient Byzantine Icon 

Dear Eminences, Excellencies, Clergy, Faithful, and Friends; 

The Last Judgment, as revealed to us in the Gospel of Matthew (25:31-46), is a solemn and fearsome reality. Christ Himself will sit on the throne of His glory, and all nations will be gathered before Him. The separation of the righteous from the wicked will occur, as He declares: "Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" (Matt. 25:34), and to the others, "Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matt. 25:41). This moment, when time gives way to eternity, is not merely a future event but a truth that calls for our active preparation today.

As Orthodox Christians, we understand that our ultimate hope is not to be judged by our works alone but by the grace of God manifest in Christ Jesus. Yet, we also understand that this grace requires a response—a living faith that is evident through our love for God and neighbor. The Apostle James reminds us, "faith without works is dead" (James 2:26). Thus, our preparation for the Last Judgment involves a lifelong process of repentance, purification, and sanctification.

In the liturgical life of the Church, Great and Holy Lent is a season uniquely suited for this preparation. During Lent, we are called to enter more deeply into the mystery of our salvation. The Church, in her wisdom, gives us these forty days not merely as a time of outward asceticism but as a call to examine the depths of our souls. Lent is not an arbitrary ritual; it is a divine opportunity for spiritual renewal - a sacred time for each of us to take stock of our lives, to repent for our sins, and to reorient our hearts toward God.

The central theme of Lent is repentance, which in its most profound sense means a turning away from sin and a turning toward God. As the hymns of the Church remind us, "Let us cleanse our senses, so that we may see the light of the Resurrection" (from the Lenten Triodion). Repentance, however, is not simply a matter of regret or sorrow for past transgressions. It is the active decision to change our lives, to be transformed by the grace of God, and to prepare ourselves to stand before Christ on that day when He comes in glory to judge the world.

Lent, as a time of preparation, also calls us to holiness and vigilance. Christ’s warning in the Gospel is clear: "Watch therefore, for you do not know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming" (Matt. 25:13). The parable of the ten virgins (Matt. 25:1-13) echoes this theme, showing us that we must always be ready, with our lamps filled with oil. Our spiritual preparation is not something we can put off until the last minute, for the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night.

Thus, Lent is a season of both self-reflection and spiritual discipline. It is a time to examine our lives with honesty and humility, acknowledging the ways in which we fall short of God’s call to love and serve Him. It is also a time to engage in prayer, fasting, and almsgiving - disciplines that help us to deny the passions of the flesh and to strengthen our spiritual resolve. These acts are not ends in themselves but means to an end—the restoration of our relationship with God.

At the heart of the Last Judgment is the commandment of love. Christ teaches that the righteous are those who have loved Him by serving the least of His brothers and sisters: "Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me" (Matt. 25:40). Our preparation for the Judgment is intimately connected with our love for others. To prepare for the eternal judgment, we must live lives of sacrificial love, caring for the poor, the sick, the marginalized, and the suffering, for in them we encounter Christ Himself.

During Lent, we are called to deepen this love in both thought and action. The fasting of Lent is not an end in itself but is meant to free us from selfishness and to open our hearts to the needs of others. The almsgiving we practice during this season is not merely a charitable gesture but a way of participating in the economy of God’s love. In giving to others, we are reminded of our own dependence on God’s mercy and grace.

The ascetic practices of Lent - prayer, fasting, and almsgiving - are inseparable from repentance. As we engage in these acts, we are called to examine the state of our hearts. Are we ready to stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ? Do we have the oil of good works and mercy to light our lamps? Are we living out the love of God and neighbor that will be the measure by which we are judged?

While the Last Judgment is a sobering reality, it is also a moment of great hope for the Christian. For those who have repented, who have lived in faith and love, the Judgment is not a moment of terror but one of joy. We are not judged for perfection, but for our willingness to love and be transformed by God’s grace. The resurrection of Christ, which we anticipate with joy throughout Lent, is the ultimate victory over sin and death. It is the hope that gives us strength to endure the trials of this life and to persevere in repentance.

Lent, therefore, is not a time of despair but a time of preparation for the joyful return of our Lord. We prepare for the Last Judgment not by fear, but by faith—faith in the mercy of God, who desires that all be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2:4). Through repentance, prayer, fasting, and love, we prepare ourselves to stand before Christ with confidence, knowing that He will judge us with mercy, compassion, and infinite love.

As we journey through Great and Holy Lent, let us remember that each step is a step toward that great and glorious day, when, by the grace of God, we will hear the words, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you.” May we, by our repentance and love, prepare ourselves for that day with joy and hope, knowing that the Judge is also our Savior.

In the Name of the Most Holy and Consubstantial Trinity, 

Bp. Joseph 

(Ancient Church of the West)