Behold, Now Is the Accepted Time: 2 Corinthians 6:1-10

2 Corinthians 6:1-10: "1 We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For He says: 'In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.' Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3 We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. 4 But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, 5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; 6 by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, 7 by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8 by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things."

The first Sunday in Lent begins with our Lord's temptation in the wilderness, immediately after His Holy Baptism in the Jordan River by St. John the Baptist, by the devil. The Blessed Apostle, St. Paul, states in his Second Epistle to the Church at Corinth, that now is the acceptable time. The acceptable time that St. Paul refers to is the time for the preaching about our Lord Jesus Christ's suffering and death on the cross.

From the first Sunday in Lent we are immediately driven to the work of Christ for our salvation. And the first thing He does is publicly battle the devil. And so, now is the time to prepare for the cross. Our Lord prepares, by battling with the devil. The Apostles prepared by preaching the Gospel, that is, that our Lord suffered and died for us, and for all mankind, so that we might have forgivness of sins, eternal life, and salvation. And we prepare for the cross, by fastings, prayer, study of God's Word, and confessing of our sins.

Now is the time. Now is the day of salvation. Therefore, let us prepare for the preaching on the crucifixion, by preparing our hearts and minds, by hearing the preaching of the Gospel, and receiving the Sacraments.

May God be with you!

Deacon Dulas