We have walked almost one week in this time of the great abstinence for Orthodox Christians. Coming from a family that is not Orthodox and having many friends outside the faith, I have often been asked, why this mindless rote mechanical endeavor?” Many outside the Faith question the validity of fasting for spiritual purposes – yet embrace it for health, beauty, weight loss and the like.
My answer is, why not come, taste and see what is the Fast. I assure you that the answer is no – it is not mindless endeavor but rather the most mindful one.
Fasting is hearts seeking the God seeking our hearts.
Our fast begins with a feast of forgiveness where we literally ask forgiveness of our brothers and sisters.
The Church sets aside the fast In the understanding that life is so interrupted frenzied and discombobulated and we are easily distracted and need a time set aside for this very purpose.
Why fast? Because what nourishes the soul is just as important as what nourishes the body. I was reminded that fasting gives us greater awareness of our spiritual situation but only when balanced by prayer. The purpose of that awareness is healing – reconciliation – wholeness – ultimately Confession.
And so, we are fortified and sustained not on the little we omit but on the abundance we add.
We increase our devotion to Scripture : nourishing on the Word of God.
We add greater Almsgiving : charity nourishing the heart of the giver and feeding heart and body of the receiver.
We make every effort to immerse ourselves in the Lenten cycle of services – and expecting to be tired – we receive the healing Grace poured into our hearts expressed in the poetic hymnody of the Church and the Mysteries of the Sacraments.
Great Lent is laying aside our earthly cares. It is placing God first – where He belongs and jealously longs to be.
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