by Prince Mathew
Preface for Meditation
The purpose of The Holy Lent is to prepare the faithful to not only commemorate,
but to enter into the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus.The totality of the
Orthodox life centers around the Resurrection. The Holy Lent is intended to be a
"workshop" where the character of the believer is spiritually uplifted and
strengthened; where his life is rededicated to the principles and ideals of the
Gospel; where fasting and prayer culminate in deep conviction of life; where
apathy and disinterest turn into vigorous activities of faith and good works.
Lent is not for the sake of Lent itself, as fasting is not for the sake of
fasting. Rather, these are means by which and for which the individual believer
prepares himself to reach for, accept and attain the calling of his Savior. The
purpose of fasting is to remind us of the Scriptural teaching, “Man does not
live by bread alone.” The needs of the body are nothing compared to the needs of
the soul. Above all else, we need God, Who provides everything for both the body
and the soul.
Fasting teaches us to depend on God more fully. The first sin of our parents,
Adam and Eve, was eating from the forbidden tree (Genesis 3:1-19).We fast from
food, food items, as a reminder that we are to fast from sinning and doing
evil. There are several benefits of fasting. Fasting helps us pray more easily.
Our spirit is lighter when we are not weighed down by too much food or food that
is too rich. Through fasting, we also learn to feel compassion for the poor and
hungry and to save our own resources so that we can help those in need.
Bible Reading:
Evening
Morning
Verse for the day:
"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" - St. Luke 6: 46
Second Tuesday of The Holy Lent
* St. Luke 6:37-49
* Exodus16: 15 -27
* Acts 10:25-33
* II Corinthians 6: 1-11
* St. Mark4: 21 -34
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