Lent is indeed a powerful season in the Church designed to redirect our focus from the outer person — with its worldly distractions and concerns — to the inner person, where true spiritual growth and communion with God take place.

From the Orthodox Church Fathers' teachings, fasting is much deeper than just abstaining from certain foods.

Here's their understanding:

- St. John Chrysostom emphasizes that true fasting begins with the mouth - controlling not just food, but also harmful speech

- St. Basil the Great teaches that fasting must be accompanied by spiritual efforts: "Fasting with the body while continuing to sin is like flying with one wing"

- St. John Cassian warns against pride in fasting, teaching that vainglory can destroy its spiritual benefits

- St. Gregory Palamas teaches that authentic fasting involves all senses:

  - Eyes: Fast from impure looks and unnecessary entertainment

  - Ears: Abstain from gossip and idle talk

  - Tongue: Refrain from judging others and speaking evil

  - Hands: Cease from harmful actions

  - Mind: Control thoughts and desires

- St. Isaac the Syrian explains that fasting is not meant to punish the body but to:

  - Subdue passions

  - Clear the mind for prayer

  - Cultivate humility

  - Remember the poor

  - Practice self-control

- St. John Chrysostom emphasizes that money saved from fasting should be given to the poor: 

"The fast should be kept not by the mouth alone but also by the eye, the ear, the feet, the hands and all the members of the body"

Every church feast or liturgy is an opportunity for growth!

John 6: 
26 Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. 27 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”

Give me, O Lord, many fountains of tears, as You gave, in the past, the sinful woman. Make me worthy to wash Your Feet which liberated me from the path of straying, and to offer you a precious fragrant oil, and gain, through repentance, a pure life, so that I may hear that voice full of joy: “Your faith has saved you.”

Purify our souls, our bodies, our spirits, our hearts, our eyes, our understanding, our thoughts, and our consciences,

so that, with a pure heart, an enlightened soul, an unashamed face, a faith unfeigned, a perfect love, and a firm hope, we may dare with boldness, without fear, to pray to You ..

The Lamb of God
John 1

26John answered them, saying, “I baptize with water, but there stands One among you whom you do not know. 27It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.”

29The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ 31I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.”
32And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. 33I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”

In our journey of faith, may we learn from the humility and obedience of St. Mary. Let us echo her fiath, surrendering our lives to God's will and trusting in His faithfulness. As we yield to Him, may we experience the transformative power of His grace and be vessels through which His love and salvation are revealed to the world.

Face fear with Faith! - 1st Sunday of Kiahk

Preparation through

Faith, Submission, Humility & Praise