The Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee for the Orthodox Christian is the beginning of the journey towards Holy Pascha, the bright and glorious Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Three weeks before Great Lent and all the way through to the weeks after Pascha is a period of time wherein all may experience the Life of Jesus Christ in a very condensed way.  The Publican and the Pharisee remind us of how pride can extinguish our love and knowledge of Jesus Christ.  In the words of St. Maximus the Confessor, “Virtue is needful of the Truth; the Truth is not needful of Virtue.”
          
Quite often in our daily routines, our lives take on robotic characteristics.  We often do things out of habit, without thinking about the consequences of what we are saying and doing.  A practicing Christian is supposed to contemplate, pray, and read about the life of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on a daily basis.  In fact, the yearly church calendar provides a living Icon of the life of Jesus Christ.  The Divine Liturgy is also an Icon of His life.  Our participation in this life through study and church services help draw us closer to Him, and as we do this, we begin to understand our own true purpose.
         
Thinking about our souls and contemplating our actions on a moment-by-moment basis not only helps to seemingly slow down time, but also aids us in choosing good over evil—God over the devil.  Great Lent is the period historically when catechumens would enter their final preparation for Baptism and Chrismation.  For those persons who are already members of the Body of Christ, Lent is a time to remember the Baptismal garment, and ask questions such as:  Am I prepared to meet my Lord?  Have I squared everything with all my loved ones?  Have I forgiven everyone?  If we are honest, we most likely will conclude that we have not given Jesus Christ everything, and that we have sinned.  St. John the Baptist says, “Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”
          
As each day passes, it is one less day we have to live on Earth.  To live in remembrance of death is to be reminded of how little time we have in this world, and to strive to live a grace-filled life so that when we take our last breath, Jesus and His saints will be there to escort us to Paradise.
          
During the first week of Great Lent, we hear the Canon of St. Andrew of Crete.  This penitential canon is filled with thoughts, feelings, and ideas that can motivate us spiritually.  In this first week, the lengthy Canon of St. Andrew is extended over four days so that we will be able to focus upon each verse as it is being read.  Throughout Great Lent, we also read the Ladder of Divine Ascent, by St. John Climacus, because it inspires us to fast and pray, and gives voice to our yearning to know God.
          
Great Lent is our time to repent; Pascha is our time to celebrate.  In Bright Week, the six days immediately following Pascha, we have the Bright Light of Christ radiating in our midst.  The Royal Doors of the Sanctuary are open, the Temple is decked out in white, and we joyously sing Christ is Risen!  Too often people will labor through Lent and Holy Week and yet will never see the inside of the Church until St. Thomas Sunday, a week after Pascha.  As Christians, we need to hold on to our zeal in order to know and experience God—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—during Lent and throughout the celebration of the Resurrection (including the Ascension and Pentecost).  We must remember that our goal as humans is oneness with God.  We must be patient, longsuffering, and attentive to what the Church provides.  Our Salvation is held in the balance.  Remember, Christ is Risen!