A SPIRITUAL PRACTICE FOR EVERYONE - FASTING IN LENT

Lenten Message from Father Michael Medis

The Orthodox Church of Saint Gregory Palamas

Glen Gardner, New Jersey --- March, 2002

Lenten fasting in 2002 for Orthodox Christians began on March 18. Easter or Pascha comes on May 5, much later than Western Easter which is this Sunday, March 31. Beyond these calendar differences, there is a deep spirituality to Lent of which many Orthodox Christians, non-Orthodox Christians, and those of other faiths and beliefs are unaware.

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"And he fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterward he was hungry." Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tested by the devil. His intention, we could say, was to confirm He was the Son of God. And the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." But Jesus answered, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'"

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Jesus was struggling with much more than just food. In a similar way, Orthodox fasting in Lent has more to offer than just abstaining from food. Orthodox Christians who embrace it say it causes a hidden "thirst and hunger" for communion with God getting down to the real substance of their lives. While many would view this as an antiquated practice, we find Lent and fasting deepen our true spiritual selves.

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Fasting has limits and reaches fulfillment in the celebration of Pascha. When done with self-care it becomes an exercise of body, mind, and spirit. The goal is to have a little hunger but not hurt you or loved ones. The better goal in fasting may be to eat to live happier, rather than living to eat for happiness.

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Fasting requires a personal desire in God that brings out your own spiritual energy. The Orthodox Lenten intention to fasting is that a limited amount of "physical hunger" opens-us up spiritually. Fasting is a very personal spiritual practice, yet it is done in the community of the church. For our Orthodox community, it helps to free us up a little from the normal trappings of life.

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Today even medical research has proven that to eat less food actually gives you more energy. The less energy we spend digesting excessive amounts of food, the more energy we have to do the things we want and need to do. We feel better and our mind is sharper.

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This Lenten season fast for your own highest and best. With God and your self, be honest about what you can and want to do. When Christians choose to keep the fast, the space has to be filled with what you are intending to change. Then when you want to binge, you reach out instead for what is giving you energy to keep your own intention and goal.

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When we speak of fasting and fasting rules in the Church it is essential to bear in mind that at all times 'you are not under law but under grace.' (Rom 6:14) In the end it is still a struggle, but is not all of life that way?

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For further information about Orthodoxy and The Orthodox Church of Saint Gregory Palamas in Glen Gardner, contact Father Michael Medis by phone at 908-537-1099, send us electronic mail at mail@stgregoca.org, or visit us on the web at stgregoca.org .

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