Let us hasten to tame the flesh through fast and abstinence as we approach the battlefield of blameless fasting; let us tearfully pray to the Lord our Savior, and turning completely away from sin let us cry out: “O Christ the King, we have sinned against You: save us as You saved the people of Niniveh and, O Compassionate One, give us a share of Your heavenly Kingdom

O Guide to Wisdom,
O Giver of Understanding,
O Instructor of the Ignorant, and Helper of the Poor,
strengthen and enlighten my heart,
O Master, Give the word to me,
O Word of the Father, that I may not refrain from crying out to You:
“O merciful Lord, have mercy on me, a fallen one.”

Remembering the expulsion of Adam and Eve from paradise, we begin our forty-day preparation for the Great Day, Easter. We are called during these coming weeks to join with our Church in thinking more intensely about our lives and making an honest assessment of how we are living up to the Gospel exhortation to love our neighbors as ourselves.

This Monday, February 16th, the Church encourages us to make a special effort to begin this time well by observing the Strict Fast. We are called, however, to fast not for the sake of fasting but, rather, to use fasting as a means to dispose ourselves to use these next forty days as a means of truly changing our minds and hearts – to grow as Christians, followers of Jesus. By fasting, we must remember, we do not increase God’s love for us. Fasting can, however, help us to understand how much God loves us. Our Eastern Spiritual Fathers have shared with us a number of ascetic practices which can help us focus our lives. Fasting is such a practice.

I find that our modern world has truly confused the ancient spiritual practices of the Church. So many people seem to have the idea that if they “give things up” or engage in “penance” that they can get God to love them more. This is not the Eastern Church’s understanding. We can never merit God’s love or merit any possible reward we might receive for leading a good life. Any ascetical practices we might do can only help us to open our hearts and minds to find our God who loves us.

It is truly my priestly and brotherly prayer that these next forty days are spiritually beneficial for all who try to seriously observe them. Please know that as we journey through life together that I, your brother, ask God to shower His blessings upon you.