As we reach the fourth Sunday of the Fast, we may find ourselves already flagging, tiring of the Lenten effort. By sins of omission and commission, by failure in the outward fast (the fast from foods) and the inward fast (the fast from sins), we may have already failed in our Lenten goals, perhaps many times over. But St. John, calling down to us from the top of the ladder of divine ascent, reminds us: the way to heaven is not a smooth road, but a ladder that we must take rung by rung, battling at each degree with our latest sins and our passions du jour. Indeed, we might from time to time slip down a rung or three, but whoever enters the fight with the demons and his own passions is bound to suffer wounds. As St. John says, to fall is human, but to remain fallen is proper only to the demons. Thankfully, in the end, the victory in this battle lies not with us, but with Christ. As long as we keep on climbing, he waits patiently to receive us at the top. More than that, the Lord is at our side during this ascent, giving us the strength to keep climbing and catching us when we slip. To paraphrase St. John: Let us hasten, brethren, to make our ascent!
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