What is Your Plan?

As the saying goes, ‘If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.’ Nothing is truer when we speak about our spiritual life. We simply will not make much progress in our journey to God if we wake up every morning and just ‘do life’ as it comes. We need a plan if we want to succeed.

The way of life in the Church is a plan that most people fail to appreciate. It is the main reason Be Transfigured Ministries was established. We know there is a list of ‘things to do’ be we fail to put those things into a plan of action. Instead, we take it one day at a time. We fail every time.

Tomorrow the Dormition Fast begins, in honor of the Theotokos. It is the fourth and final fasting season of the year. This season is often called “Summer Pascha” because it spiritually prepares for the death and resurrection of the Most Holy Virgin and Mother of God.

Many of the traditions surrounding the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos mimic elements of Holy Week. Many Churches even gather around her burial icon (Epitaphios) and sing lamentations in the same style of Holy and Great Friday. These traditions help us grow in Faith.

Admittedly some traditions are ‘newer’ than others. Whether it was the Holy Apostles commanded that we fast every Wednesday and Friday which dates to the 1^st Century, or newer traditions such as which hymn is assigned to which day, our traditions have purpose.

In today’s reading from Saint Paul, we are reminded that we have received our traditions from those who loved us and God. They established a life that had only one goal, to grow in communion with God. All traditions must glorify God. Take a moment and read the passage.

Brethren, if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then out of consideration for the man who informed you, and for conscience’s sake – I mean his conscience, not yours – do not eat it. For why should my liberty be determined by another man’s scruples? If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks? So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please all men in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I have delivered them to you. But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a woman is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. Any man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, but any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled dishonors her head – it is the same as if her head were shaven. For if a woman will not veil herself, then she should cut off her hair, but if it is disgraceful for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her wear a veil. For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. (For man was not made from woman, but woman from man.)

1^st Corinthians 10:28-33;11:1-8

At first glance you will want to ignore the topic of food and go right to head coverings. Since today’s blog is about planning and fasting, I will skip the second half of the passage and focus on food. We all agree that fasting is good. We don’t all agree about head coverings.

What is your plan for fasting for the next fourteen days? According to Holy Tradition, fasting is at the core of our disciplines. Eating is a base physical urge, and as such when we limit the way we eat, we limit our bodies. When we limit our bodies for spiritual reasons, we affect our soul.

If the next fourteen days are ‘just like any other’ days, you will lose the chance to grow closer to Christ. The essence of Holy Tradition is for us to dedicate our life to God. Our life, our physical life, starts with what we eat. Fasting is a perfect way for dedicating our life to God.

At Be Transfigured Ministries we continually assert that this blog is not meant to replace your spiritual father. Therefore, I’m not going to tell you ‘how’ to fast in today’s blog. I’m only going to say that if you want success in your spiritual journey, you need to fast, and you need a plan.

If your spiritual father hasn’t already given you guidance about fasting, then you should make an appointment with him and get some. If you tell yourself, “I will just follow the plan of the Church. I don’t need my spiritual father to tell me how to fast,” you miss the point of fasting.

Among all the traditions of the Church, the tradition of just making up my own plan is NOT among them. We cannot be obedient to ourselves. We need the Church, and our spiritual father represents the Church. He also knows our personal journey and is best to help us plan.

If we didn’t need spiritual fathers, Saint Paul would not have written letters to the Church. As he said, “I have become your father.” (1^st Corinthians 4.15) So, before you begin the fast tomorrow, connect with your spiritual father and make a plan for success.