Enjoy the Sabbath

Ever since the creation of time, the Lord has given us the Sabbath as a respite in our physical and spiritual journey. In the Old Testament, even lands and animals were given a sabbath rest from their masters, knowing that everything produces better with a little rest. Unfortunately, with our 24-hour/7-day a week life, we rarely rest on the Sabbath. During Great Lent, there is a special sort of rest on the Sabbath, but if you’re not fully fasting, you would never realize it.

When you fully fast according to the traditions of the Church, and with your spiritual father’s guidance, you will quickly realize that Saturday and Sunday the fast is easier. It isn’t easier because you are getting used to it, although that might also be true. It is easier because the Church eases the fast on Saturday on Sunday by allow us to consume wine and oil.

Unfortunately, most people don’t fast at this level, so the Sabbath rest, as it pertains to the fast, is lost. If you are fasting from meat for the entire Great Lent, you will continue fasting from meat every day, no matter whether it is the Feast of Annunciation or Saturday/Sunday. You don’t receive the blessing of resting in your fasting, which can lead to fasting burn out.

Fasting burn-out happens when you just plain and simple, get tired of fasting. You’re tired of eating the same thing every day. You’re tired of craving your favorite foods, and burn out can very quickly cause you to stop fasting all together, but without fasting you lose the spiritual benefits. Nobody wants to lose the spiritual benefits of fasting, so here’s an idea.

Meet with your spiritual father and discuss fasting. If you are not fully fasting, and he doesn’t think you should be, ask how you can take advantage of the tradition of easing the fast on Saturday and Sunday. With his guidance you will not only be blessed by God, but you will gain the additional benefit of your spiritual father’s guidance. Today is the Sabbath…enjoy the Sabbath.