invitation to the fast

I wish everyone a contemplative season of Lent as we celebrate Ash Wednesday.
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[The byline on my Blog states that I have a desire to be a “21st century mystic,” so I guess I should start writing more about spiritual formation. Here is some info that I put together for our fledgling missional community here in SA Town about the practice of the Great Fast.]

First A Disclaimer: I am not now, nor have I ever been a member of the Orthodox Church. If I have misquoted/represented any of these practices, it was not my intention. I merely want to faithfully incorporate as many of the rich traditions, as are meaningful in my journey, from all streams of our christian heritage as I can.

[Now back to the email:]

I am excited that so many in our little community of faith are interested in participating in the "Great Fast."  I know there are lots of questions surrounding the details of the fast, so I will attempt to clarify my understanding of the tradition - as best I can.

First it is important to understand that (according to my research) there are no "definitive guidelines" (as much as our Western minds would like there to be), because there is really not ONE Orthodox Church.  We like to lump all of the Eastern/Ethnic Orthodox churches together under one banner, but in reality, while they all share common practices, they are all distinctly unique in the expression of those practices.  In other words, the Greeks do things a little different than the Russians, who do things a little different then the Slavics, and the Coptics are considered way out even amongst other Orthodox.

That being the case, I think we have an opportunity to be "informed by" our Orthodox Hermanas(os), but still create a community tradition that fits in the context of our common life.  I have included two links for further reading; the first is the best (most concise) description of the Great Fast that I have found on the web, the second is the calendar from the Greek Orthodox Church that outlines the "levels" of fasting for each day.  We would of course end on April 16th (versus the 23rd as it is depicted on the Greek calendar) for Easter.

As far as how our community could practice this tradition here is my proposal:

Exceptions:Pregnant/Nursing madres as well as small children should not adhere to the fast. Also, anyone with medical reasons (diabetic, etc.) should not adhere to the fast either. (These are traditional exceptions.)

What (Not) To Eat:

First three days of Lent (March 6th, 7th, and 8th) - Nothing is eaten from when you wake up on Monday the 6th until dinner on the evening of Wednesday the 8th (you do eat dinner on the 8th).

All other WEEKDAYS (March 9th through April 13th) - NO meat, meat products, fish, eggs, dairy, wine or oil (the Greeks allow olive oil).

Saturdays and Sundays (Except Annunciation and Holy Saturday) - Wine and oil are permitted but still NO meat, meat products, fish, eggs, or dairy.

Annunciation (Saturday March 25th) - fish is allowed.

Friday and Saturday of Holy week and Easter Sunday (April 14th, 15th, and 16th) - the evening meal of Thursday (13th) should be the last meal taken until after the Easter Service (the 16th).

How much to eat:There is not a hard and fast rule for how much to eat, but according to what I have read, the idea is to not eat as much as one would usually eat during the rest of the year. In other words, leave the table a little hungry.

Spiritual Aspects of Fasting for Me

Like many of you, I have only had limited exposure to fasting and the other classic spiritual disciplines. In the faith tradition that I am from, asceticism of any kind has been pushed aside as being legalistic/works based faith -- probably due to the extremes/abuses in medieval monastic life. I feel, however, there is a place for (and in my case a NEED for) the spiritual disciplines in my faith journey. This is especially true of fasting.

Everything that I have read/experienced about/through fasting is teaching me that there is something about going without food that is necessary for my sanctification. By denying my most basic desire (the desire to pig-out) with prayer/contemplation, I am learning that fasting is a powerful weapon against my consumerist tendencies (which our Lord knows I need help fighting). Fasting does this, since going with out food shows me that I really can go without the other material stuff that I may desire (but not need).
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Padre en Cielo,

I pray that you are ever more real to your followers through this Lenten season. Move us deeper in you. Give us strength on the days when a lack of food makes a grouchy, or tired. Let this time be a time of repentence and forgiveness -- Amen.
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P.S. --Bonus website of vegetarian meals.

Comments

[Paul Soupiset]

hermano, stay strong this week. God is good. He provides.