This Sunday is Meatfare Sunday. I am sure we are all aware of the luncheon after Church in our social hall. Lent is around the corner. The following Sunday will be Cheesefare Sunday followed by Kathari Deftera and the Great Lent.
How many of you actually fast for the 40 days? When I say, "Fast," I mean no meat, dairy, and oils. This means basically fruits, vegitables, and penut butter and jelly. Please be honest.
If you have not in the past, are you going to try this year?
We can have a nice discussion about this as well.
Mike
I will start. I never fasted the entire 40 days before in any strict fashion. I do not have meat on Wednesdays and Fridays, as well as Holy Week.
ReplyDeleteI would love to get more strict for the entire 40 days. I really would.
Some day, I really want to celebrate the Resurrection in Jerusalem at our Lord's Tomb. The Patriarch goes into the Tomb after the Israeli police search him top to bottom. Then he comes out of the tomb with the Miraculous Holy Light. It only happens on Orthodox Easter.
I went to the Holy Tomb twice in my life already, but never on Easter.
Now, it is your turn!
Mike
I never do the strict fast for the entire 40 days. I do however, do no meat throughout. This year I am going to try to do dairy products as well.
ReplyDeleteI also want to further challenge myself this year by really focusing on being a better Christian and get closer to God during Lent, because that is the purpose of it all. I am going to challenge myself to pray more and to act more like a Christian.
I understand that the journey of lent is difficult, but I am really going to try hard to avoid temptations.
I'll see how it goes. :)
Katerina: I know it is hard. I haven't been 100% successful yet either. I am working toward it though.
DeleteMaybe this year will be the year. We can try.
Thank you for posting on this blog. I really appreciate it very much.
See you in Church on Sunday.
Mike
I have honestly never been able to fast the 40 days. But I have been able to fast the week before Easter every year and I make this my goal. Most of the time, I decide to give up one category, for example, I usually give up meat because in school, it is very hard for me to keep up with all of the restrictions. One year I was very successful and I made it to 15 days but by accident I had a chicken nugget, oops hahaha, but still, I felt very guilty but I was surprised I still made it so far. This year I plan to make it my goal to try to make it all the 40 days.
ReplyDeleteEffie
Yes, it is hard. There is too much temptation in today's world. Let's face it, can we say, "No" to Pizza, cheeseburgers, steaks, etc? I know. However, we always have to remember what Jesus went through for us.
DeleteDid you see THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST yet?
When I think about that movie, It gives me strength to continue.
I will add something soon again.
Theio Mike
No I haven't seen the movie, but maybe we can see it in class sometime:)
DeleteFasting for Great Lent may be easy for some and hard for others but for me, it's been hard and I have never succeeded in fasting for the forty days. The love that I have for Jesus keeps me trying every time. I believe fasting should be done willingly from the heart and not by compulsion because we feel that we have to. We are all sinners and fasting allows us to repent our sins therefore become closer to Jesus and God. Fasting for me is not just omitting certain food that I usually eat but it also means eating less than usual and not being over indulgent. I also believe that with fasting we shouldn't forget to pray daily, especially during Holy Week. Every year I make it my goal to try to fast for 40 days and hopefully I will succeed this year.
ReplyDeleteDear Penny: That was awesome. I agree with you 100%. Yes, fasting has to be done from the heart and soul. If we are told to do it, then it defeats the purpose. It is hard though. You are right. God knows our heart. I wish you and the family a wonderful Sarakosti! May God be with you always.
ReplyDeleteMike H