Spring of Spiritual Life
Spiritual life is just like physical life, it passes through the four seasons throughout the persons lifespan. This fasting period has many names, for instance we say Holy fast because all its days are precious or we call it the Big fast due to being the longest fast of the year that extends to 55 days. It’s even known as the fortieth fast as Christ fasted in the wilderness for forty days and forty nights, as well as the church adding an extra week for fasting preparation as well as another week for passion week to complete 55 days. And if a spiritual person is struggling through their spiritual life then this fast is what will help nourish them spiritually. We find in the gospel of preparation Sunday about the reasons why a spiritual person can be struggling spiritually and these are:
1- losing the sense of humanity towards others, meaning being more selfish and self loving, and not caring about others whether or not they were hungry or satisfied.
And the bible talks to us about being “charitable” in Matthew 6:1-4 and this isn’t just referring to monetary matters but also feeling for each other’s needs whether physically, mentally, spiritually or even humanly.
Humans these days suffer from selfishness and dry feelings towards others, humans these days aren’t hungry for food but for another person. Or like how the sick person from Bethesda (which means the house of mercy) expressed it “I have no man” (John 5:7) when he was answering Jesus’ question “Do you want to be made well” (John 5:6).
My beloved in Christ search in your heart for others, consider yourself losing in life if a day passes by without offering love and compassion towards any other human.
2- reducing the opportunities of having a heartfelt conversation with Christ through prayers and praises, which resulted in man being cold hearted due to being addicted to technology and social media which resulted in losing the connection with Christ. Praying is based on the holy bible which speaks the truth and it lightens the persons path and renews the persons thoughts and feelings and visions. Ignoring the holy bible and it’s teachings is the cause of all evil, like what John golden tongue says: “distancing ourselves from the godly commandment results in inner blindness”. Not having time isn’t an excuse for ignoring the holy bible, the time you spend reading the bible and practicing prayer is what blesses the rest of the hours in the day.
3- the superficial look to fasting without getting to its depth. Fasting is a Spiritual act before being a physical one and that’s to control the body and it’s desires. It’s a means of strengthening ones will through which we battle each sin. It’s our spiritual battle to result in a pure heart and it is written “blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8).
We’re not referring to fasting alone but along with other spiritual acts that helps nourishes someone’s spiritual mission. We practice Most of the 7 sacraments while fasting for physical and spiritual preparation. Fasting fixes us spiritually and communion provides power and stability in Christ.
And lastly the verse that says: “go in to your room (heart), shut your door (mouth)” (Matthew 6:6). Fasting days should be completely different to regular days, in it we find Christ as our treasure (week 1), our victory (week 2), our repentance (week 3), our knowledge (week 4), our healing (week 5), our light (week 6), our king (week 7- Palm Sunday) and our joy (week 8- the resurrection)
Pope Tawadros II
