Lilly, Blogland & Lent

Lilly sends you her meows and thanks you so much for the lovely comments you left wishing her a happy birthday.  At 12 years old, she doesn't seem to be slowing down at all!

I've been away from blogland and it's because I didn't know what to do.  I'll explain.  There has been so many negative things written in blogland regarding American politics.  We are very lucky that we can think, write and share our opinions openly in this country.  But, I was finding so much was mean and degrading.  These items were written by people on both sides of the political fence.  As a result of this overload (added to by watching various news channels), I felt depressed.  I started out writing comments on blogs and then I stopped; I was not going to go there.  Luckily for me, I am not on Facebook.  It's not my kind of venue.

If I chose to write something in regard to our current political situation, I could easily share some very pertinent facts that has affected my own family in regard to immigration, discrimination, etc.  But, like I said above, I'm not going to venture there. I started Lilly My Cat to be a happy place where people can visit, maybe learn something, share something or leave with a good feeling.  One of the reasons I started my blog was because I had felt ostracized, outside the circle and totally ignored by a group of people I met when I moved to California.  I was hurt; like being a student in middle school when the in group doesn't want you around.  And, I was approaching 60 years of age. This memory has now been buried and my life is great.  I have nothing to complain about!

 I've met so many wonderful friends through my blog.  I truly believe people can be friends although they may have differing opinions.  Speaking of meeting people, this week is the second week of Lent for me as a Coptic Orthodox.  My dear Eastern Orthodox friends just began Lent this past Monday.  The parish I attend does not have a permanent church to worship.  We are currently renting a Greek church where we worship on Saturday morning.  This past Saturday, the Greek congregation was using their sanctuary and we held services upstairs.  After our services, we shared coffee with the other congregants.  It was a most blessed time of meeting new people (some who are converts to the Orthodox faith like me).  But, the thing that impressed me most was when the Greek priest said he would love to have us have services together during Holy Week and that our priest would be more than welcome to serve with him.  But, he added that it would be up to the bishops.  Do you know why this is?  Because, the Greek Orthodox Church and the Coptic Orthodox Church (Oriental Orthodox) are not in communion with each other.   It goes back to the Council of Chalcedon (Fourth Ecumenical Council)  held  in AD 451.  The discussion centered around the Copt's understanding of the nature of Christ.  From what I read today, a lot of this schism was fueled by politics at the time and by misunderstanding.  Maybe one day our churches can unite for communion.  Yet, what a blessed feeling it was to leave church on Saturday having the blessing of this very humble, kind and caring Greek priest. 

 

 

 It been a few years since I felt I wanted to fully participate in Great Lent.  And, I was so looking forward to Lent this year.  Everything has once again fallen in place and I feel I can worship at a place where I belong.  Reading, self reflection and prayer has of course helped me.  Yet, this is not something I accomplished on my own.  I have been so inspired by Elizabeth's blog.  She is a very talented writer and I learn so much from reading her blog.  It brings back the wonderful memories I had as member of the Orthodox Church of America back in Washington.  And, for me one of the most delightful things is to prepare Lenten food.  Pictured above is a vegan shepherd's pie made with a lentil filling.

 So in a nutshell, that's what been happening around here.  Life is good and my cup is more than1/2 full.  I'm sorry if I've bored you with all my stories.  I'm in the midst of setting up another blog but it needs some of the kinks removed :)  Thank you again dear friends for visiting today.

With my best wishes,

Pat