It is very
noticeable that many people during Pascha Week are one thing inside
church and completely different outside. In side church, black curtains, somber hymns, solemn readings, and concentrating on the
suffering of Christ. Outside of church, we often laugh, joke around,
socialize, think and talk about many worldly issues. We lose all the
spiritual depth that we gained inside church. Let us concentrate our
thoughts, conversations, and meditations around the events of this holy
week and the Passion of our Savior.
Since the fasting period is a sacred spiritual, during which one aims
to develop spiritually, it is proper that one should place before him,
some spiritual drills to convert these spiritual desires into a
practical mode of living. So, what are these drills?
Spiritual drills vary from one person to another according to their
requirements. These drills may include things like resisting some weak
facets in the life of a fasting person, gaining certain virtues that
such a person lacks, or spiritual longings pervading his heart.
Those who fast and gain no benefit have done so in the wrong way. Fasting is not to blame but the method followed. Such
as those who fast bodily without paying attention to the virtues that
accompany a fast. Or, those who’s aim is fasting in itself as a the
target although it should be a means towards an end, the means of
giving the soul the opportunity.
Fasting is a period of intense spirituality,
a period for loving God, and adhering to Him. This love for he who
fasts helps elevate a person above body and its concerns. It a means of
soaring above the worldly things to taste the heavenly matters. It is a
period of sacred feelings towards God. At least it cultivates the
feeling of closeness and communion with God. It is a period of
spiritual struggle: with self, with God, and against the Devil.
The spiritual definition of fasting will be mentioned later in detail. However, what are the physical aspect of the definition of fasting? Fasting is abstinence from food, for a period, followed by eating food free from animal fat.
Period of abstinence:
A period of abstinence is essential, since we would simply be vegetarians if we ate without observing it from the beginning of the day. The word fasting means abstinence or cessation. It is therefore necessary to refrain from eating for a certain period of time.
Fasting
is the earliest commandment known to mankind, for God commanded our
ancestor Adam to refrain from eating a certain fruit from a certain
tree (Gen 2:16,17) but allowed him to eat from the rest.
In this way, God set for the body certain limits beyond which it should not go.
Thus,
man did not have absolute freedom to take whatever he laid eyes on and
whatever he desired. He had to abstain from certain things and control
his inclination towards them. Thus since the very beginning, man has
had to control his body.
