The Oasis

Trying to live according to the teachings and traditions of the Church, can seem like we are traveling through the desert. The world, void of true love and compassion, can leave us feeling parched as Christians. We thirst for human compassion, and especially during the pandemic, we crave for human interaction. Lockdowns have left us alone and frightened.

Nothing makes this more noticeable than the Great Lenten Journey of increased prayer, increased fasting, and increased almsgiving. Today, day three of our journey, the weight of Great Lent is already taking its toll. Even the food commercials are tempting us to abandon the journey, and it has only been a few days. Last night, during the Canon of St Andrew of Crete, this stanza stood out to me as a good image for our 2021 Great Lenten Journey.

Moses the great went to dwell in the desert. Come, seek to follow his way of life, my soul, that in contemplation you may attain the vision of God.

You see, the world is our desert and today the Church offers us the first of many oases. Tonight, most Orthodox Churches will celebrate the Presanctified Liturgy. This special service, offered ONLY during Great Lent, is designed specifically to refresh us in the desert of our Great Lenten struggle. It isn’t a mirage, but a real fountain of God’s grace that we should run to whenever we have the chance. I wrote yesterday about the sin of refusing to attend Divine Liturgy as a rejection of God. Today is your chance to make things right. PLAN NOW to attend Presanctified Liturgy, and if you have your spiritual father’s blessing to receive Holy Communion, you should be prepared to receive.

On Sunday we know (provided we are healthy and no other prohibitions from our doctor regarding fasting) that we should refrain from all food and drink until after we receive Holy Communion on Sunday mornings. But what if we are planning on receiving Holy Communion on Wednesday night, when should we fast?

For those adultswho are physically able, we are asked to fast just as we would on Sunday morning all day from the time we awake until after we receive Holy Communion. It is acceptable to drink simple beverages such as coffee or tea or preferably water (not milk, milkshakes, beer etc) until about noon and then complete fast until Holy Communion. I must remind you that fasting is not meant to make you ill, but to be an offering to God and discipline of our bodies. If you become lightheaded or need some food, by all means have a small snack especially if you are in a situation where you must remain alert such as driving or other physical labor. If you must eat during the day, a light breakfast and light lunch should be sufficient followed by a complete fast following lunch until Holy Communion.

For those children who already fast on Sunday morning, they should be asked to follow as much of the fast as they are able. As parents this will require discernment in how our children are behaving and feeling. Again, it is not meant to make our children ill, however, many times our children can fast more than we realize, and it should be encouraged as an offering to God and spiritual discipline. For children who do not yet fast, a small snack should be offered around 4pm.

For everyone who is receiving Holy Communion, or Holy Unction or any other Mystery (Sacrament) of the Church, the Church teaches us to fast in preparation and we should do this to the best of our abilities. Great Lent is a perfect time to exercise our free will and to offer our “bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God.” Romans 12.11) It has always been the understanding of the Church that fasting is forbidden for those who have a medical condition requiring food for medications or other requirements such as pregnant and nursing mothers. We must remember that fasting is a spiritual discipline and not meant to cause physical harm.