Let Us Fast with Joy

Today is the second day of Great Lent, and already I can tell a difference from how I treated last Lent to this Lent. Not to be prideful or boasting in saying this, but I think I finally have a clearer understanding of what Lent is supposed to be about.

My husband and I read the first day of Fr. Thomas Hopko's "The Lenten Spring" on what the purpose of Lent is and what it means to go through it. What struck me is that he talks over and over about fasting with JOY. Not fasting in sorrow, nor fasting with solemnity. We are to fast with JOY.

So what does this mean? I believe it to mean that Lent is not a time for grieving, but to be absorbed in learning to be strengthened in God as we willingly place ourselves within the grasp of temptation. It is a time to sharpen our swords, to arm ourselves with the skills necessary to fight off temptation in everyday life. It is a time to repent, to look inward and confess our sins, repenting of them and following Christ in all things. It is a time for falling down and getting back up again.

It is also a tithe of ourselves - if you think about it, 40 days is roughly one tenth of the 365 day year. And yes, we should be giving of ourselves at all times throughout every year, but Lent is a time for us to give the best of ourselves that we possibly can to give back to God, in a reminder to ourselves that we are His.

We are fasting with joy so that we may celebrate His resurrection with the feasting joy in our hearts! Fr. Thomas Hopko says that we should never despair - it is numbered among one of the greatest of sins, he says. Lent is not a time to be sorrowful. It is a time to fight the good fight within ourselves, to deny ourselves that which we do not depend upon to live for God. This is why we fast from not only food, but other distractions and temptations as well. Media, especially, in our day in age. Simply anything that diverts our attention from God is something to live without.

I hope you have the chance to attend as many Lenten services as you can... they are my favorite! I'm looking forward to attending the Canon of St. Andrew tonight. It will be beautiful.

May you have a very joyous and blessed Lent! May God bless you as you journey through Lent.

Here's the Quote of the Day:

"Let us begin the lenten time with delight … let us fast from passions as we fast from food, taking pleasure in the good words of the Spirit, that we may be granted to see the holy passion of Christ our God and his holy Pascha, spiritually rejoicing.

Thy grace has arisen upon us, O Lord, the illumination of our souls has shown forth; behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the time of repentance."

~ Lenten Vesper Hymns