Sermon Tone Analysis

Our venerable father Procopius

Title

True Fasting and Its Goal

Outline

Why would Christians in the first centuries of our era join catechumens in their pre-baptism fasting?

Why would the Church then establish it as a rule for all every year?

First, because it walks us up and prepares us for what is coming: “it is full time now for you to wake from sleep.

For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed”

Second, because it helps one in forgiving others, for it strengthens our spiritual muscles: “if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you”

Third, because that same strengthening enables us to overcome our bondage to evil: “Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy”

Finally, because it is part of putting on Jesus, for we join him in his fast: “put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”

So how do we keep our fast?

First, remember that it is about our relationship to Jesus: “It is before his own master that he stands or falls.

And he will be upheld, for the Master is able to make him stand.”

Second, realize that it is not about rules but about love: “As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions.”

And “Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him.”

We have different backgrounds with different traditions of the Great Fast or Lent, different feasts we may celebrate within it, and even how we celebrate.

While we have reasons for why we do what we do, we also accept others with the same faith commitment, accepting them to dialogue partners.

And those without such a commitment we gently invite to that commitment.

Finally, realize that it is not just what we do not consume, but it is also what we share.

“Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal.

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Brothers and sisters, these are the days we need to reflect and follow these insights

These are days of real evils that tempt us to evil, to hate, to self-protection, to turning inward.

It is in the fast that we draw closer to the true king of the ages and get the perspective needed to live in times of darkness

And it is in the fast that the seeming darkness turns to the light of Pascha.

Readings

EPISTLE

Romans 13:11–14:4

11  Besides this you know what hour it is, how it is full time now for you to wake from sleep.

For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; 12  the night is far gone, the day is at hand.

Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; 13  let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy.

14  But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

14  As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions.

2 One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables.

3  Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him.

4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another?

It is before his own master that he stands or falls.

And he will be upheld, for the Master is able to make him stand.

GOSPEL

Matthew 6:14–21

14  For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; 15 but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

16 “And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men.

Truly, I say to you, they have their reward.

17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18  that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal.

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Notes

Byzantine Lectionary (Revised Julian) (2-27-2022: Forgiveness Sunday or Cheesefare Sunday)

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2022 | TRIODION AND GREAT LENT

FORGIVENESS SUNDAY OR CHEESEFARE SUNDAY

Matins Gospel Luke 24:1–12 (37th Sunday)

Epistle Romans 13:11–14:4

Gospel Matthew 6:14–21