Categories: uncategorized
Date: 01 September 2005 11:21:00
Fasting in the body, O brethren, let us also fast from sin.
Wednesdays Vespers, First Week of Lent
One reason is no doubt laziness. May I, through the grace and strength of God, overcome this. But another reason is my thinking of fasting as some meritorious work that somehow "pleases" God. In moments of proper thinking, I realise this is foolish, but in my day-to-day life I do not have a proper understanding of why fasting is prescribed, and I'm concerned that if I do it I'll have the mentality of, "God? God? Look at me. I fasted today. Is that 10 points?" I don't mean to be flippant, but I do struggle with this. It is something I shall need to speak to our sub-deacon about as I make my way towards the catechumenate.
In fact, much of Orthodoxy -- to my eyes -- could lend itself to this sort of thinking. Much of any religion in fact can lend itself to this for the unwary: the things that are there to help us can all too easily become ends in themselves. We must constantly be on our guard, ensuring all is done with the aim of drawing us ever nearer to God and His Will in our lives. But despite the dangers, Orthodoxy does not shy away from these things, but rather calls us to remember their true meaning.
This is one of the things that so captivates me and convinces me regarding Orthodoxy. It's a darn hard faith. Much is expected, but much is also given. It is a strict and hard faith, calling us to live perfect lives, as Jesus instructed, but when we fall, it is exceptionally generous in the help it gives us to overcome these failings and start anew.
But, back to the topic of fasting, and I have learnt much through Fr Hopko's words and those he quotes. Fasting is there to help us overcome the passions and desires of the flesh; to liberate oneself from dependence on earthly things and concentrate on the things of the Kingdom of God. And in terms of it "pleasing God", Fr Hopko sets me straight:
Man does not fast because it pleases God if His servants do not eat, for, as the lenten hymns of the Church remind us, "the devil also never eats." (Lenten Triodion) Neither do men fast in order to afflict themselves with suffering and pain, for God has no pleasure in the discomfort of His people. Neither do men fast with the idea that their hunger and thirst can somehow serve as a "reparation" for their sins. Such an understanding is never given in the scriptures or the writings of the saints which claim that there is no "reparation" for man's sin but the crucifixion of Christ. Salvation is a "free gift of God" which no "works" of man can accomplish of merit. (cf. Romans 5:15-17, Ephesians 2:8-9)Men fast, therefore, and must fast, only to be delivered from carnal passions so that the free gift of salvation in Christ might produce great fruit in their lives. Men fast so that they might more effectively serve God who loves them and has saved them in Christ and the Spirit. Fasting without effort in virtue is wholly in vain.