Posted on 02/10/2007 5:05:11 AM PST by Kolokotronis
Catholic/Orthodox Caucus Great Lent Fasting ping. I have pinged several Protestant Freepers as I understand that this ascetical practice has gained some currency among them over the past few years.
A very timely, albeit lengthy, treatise on fasting and abstinence. With Ash Monday on Feb. 19 and Ash Wednesday on Feb. 21, this is an excellent opportunity to reflect on our lives and formulate a plan for Lent.
Wisdom that applies to all liturgical seasons, not just Lent. Thank you for the post and ping!
Go figger.
"All I know is that when I'm fasting, time goes by slowly, while when I'm feasting time is fast."
Gives you time to reflect on what's important, my brother.
It is long, but I felt that what it says is important for all of us in The Church to think on as we approach the holiest time of the year. Great Lent is a time to look forward to as a period when we can focus on what really counts in our lives, which is to say, that we fulfill the purpose for which God created us. The ancient, scriptural practice of fasting clears the mind and the body, so that we might more clearly focus on Christ in preparation for our liberation at the Resurrection. That's not something most of us can do starting on the way to Church on Pascha.
Thanks for the ping!
Not many Protestants I know practice fasting, but some do. As far as I know, it is neither required or prohibited.
However, should one decide to do so, it is looked upon as an extension to prayer. Fasting, along with prayer, is a way to go past the normal daily relationship with God and seek an even more close, personal meeting.
Instead of the usual head bowed in prayer type worship, fasting allows you to stand up and give God a great big hug, so to speak.
And He lets us do it!
That's easy. You want to be like Christ, right? So fast for 40 days and nights.
"However, should one decide to do so, it is looked upon as an extension to prayer. Fasting, along with prayer, is a way to go past the normal daily relationship with God and seek an even more close, personal meeting."
That's exactly what it is. Most people who fast during Great Lent, and for that matter on Wednesdays and Fridays and the other fast periods, reltively soon come to experience a certain clarity of the eye of the soul, so that the "dark glass" becomes a bit less translucent. But there are real here and now benefits. Fasting does teach us to focus on what is important in our daily lives. It allows one to put the regular hassles of life in a proper perspective and brings an enhanced equinimity to our lives.
"Fasting is the champion of every virtue, the beginning of the struggle, the crown of the abstinent, the beauty of virginity and sanctity, the resplendence of chastity, the commencement of the path of Christianity, the mother of prayer, the well-spring of sobriety and prudence, the teacher of stillness, and the precursor of all good works. Just as the enjoyment of light is coupled with healthy eyes, so desire for prayer accompanies fasting that is practiced with discernment." +Isaac the Syrian
"So fast for 40 days and nights."
For most of us, that would be suicide, II. Are suggesting that Christ and The Church calls us to suicide? If so, I have to assume that you have come into this caucus thread to cause trouble.
Fasting should be an expression of our spiritual maturity and not a legalistic rule. Unfortunately, it is more of the latter than the former, imo.
The early Church did not have these rules. They are man-made, let's be clear on that.
Serbian Patriarch Pavle wrote recently on the subject of both Communion and Fasting where he gives a historical overview of the early Church practice:
Apparently the level of devotion changed when Christianity was no longer persecuted.
As a result, the St. John Chrysostom (Bishop of Constantinople) established the 40-day fasting rules.
But, the Patriarch warns that fasting has become a ritual
It is by far more important to be Christ-like in our hearts than to fast 'just as He did.'
Fasting rules also do not take into account medical conditions of many people. The life was much shorter in +John Chrysostom's time, and the nature of ailments that killed people was qualitatively different from the most degenerative processes of today.
We live longer to a great extent because of the many amenities of medical science, and that is often a very fine equilibrium that keeps us alive, whether it is sugar, heart, electrolyte or any other aspect of our health.
Rigorous fasting can disturb and even endanger a person's health. A diabetic who avoids all animal products and concentrates his or her fast on carbohydrates during the two 40-day fasts can literally commit suicide fasting.
Someone with compromised kidneys who eats proteins can do the same. People need essential amino acids which are found only in animal products.
The sweeping generalization of fasting rules also ignored to account the rationale for abstaining from all animal products and olive oil!
It so often happens that when the Church is questioned about its (man-made rules) the answers are nothing short of revolting. The other day I asked why is collection being made in the middle of the Lord's Prayer (which is highly distracting and, more so, disrespectful) and the answer the priest gave me was: "that's the way it's always done."
It also goes hand-in-hand with Tolstoy's famous "Three Little Hermits," by all accounts three holy men who, although they walk on water (unbeknownst to a pompous bishop), in their humility say to him that they don't know how to serve the Lord and the bishops says to the effect that he sees they have 'some idea' about God, but he will teach them the 'proper' way to serve the Lord.
The bottom line is that even +John Chrysostom says in his Paschal homily that those who fasted and those who didn't are all welcome.
Echoing +Symeon the Theologian, true fast is humility. All else will follow 'naturally.'
Ping #11
Was just wondering how Christlike you'd care to be over the lenton season. I want no trouble. Didn't think you'd get so defensive. Sorry.
And Christ wouldn't have pinged the Religion Moderator either. :-)
First, it's a big duh!
But then you think what the Incarnation and the "work of Christ" was, and how the Son of that same God who said,"If I were hungry, I wouldn't tell YOU!" is so hungry that poor old Satan thinks this is a good time to tempt him.
Ay yay yay!
FYI: the "Caucus" label presupposes an irenic discussion among people of more or less like minds.
I don't know whether you came to tear up the pea-patch, but it is appropriate to ping the RM in a Caucus if one thinks that somebody has come not to discuss but to debate or attack the premise.
On caucus threads, if you are not a member of the caucus then you are a guest in the other guy's church and must behave accordingly.
Moses and Elijah both fasted for forty days too. (Moses did so twice!)
Hmmm...
Moses could have asked God to zing you with lightning from the Ark of the Covenant, or squashed you with a couple stone tablets, or even whack you upside the head with the serpent staff which might possibly even cause water to gush forth. (Or divide.)
Elijah could call down fire from heaven on you or even ask a flock of ravens to poop on you.
These are not dudes you want to mess with.
Jesus, of course, would forgive you.
;)
Hehee...
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Kosta, do you know priests or bishops who instruct their people to fast to the point of making themselves ill? Any who tell diabetics or others who must eat that they cannot receive communion? I certainly trust not. Fasting is a practice to improve us, not kill us or make us sick. I know of no Orthodox priest or bishop, save for, alas, a few "crazy converts" who are so legalistic about fasting that they would endanger their people for the sake of adhering to fasting rules. On the other hand, serving non fast foods at a parish function during Great Lent or any other fasting period is improper and is a scandal to the faithful.
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