A Friday Fast-Free

It isn't often that we have a Fast-free Friday. In Orthodox preparation for Sunday Liturgy we normally do not eat meat on Wednesday and Friday. It is due to the fact that Jesus gave His life for world, on Friday. A book that I am currently reading, and suggest is: "For the Life of the World, written by Alexander Schmemann.

The second chapter, entitled The Eucharist, begins by saying, "In this world Christ was rejected." And sadly enough today, many are rejecting Him once again by their indifference. We are celebrating what we call just a glimpse into the Great Fast and Lent, knowing what is ahead. Most of us have been eating meat, and all of our favorite foods, in preparation for the beginning of what we call "meatfare Sunday" when we will give up meat until our Pascha. Then shortly after dairy, etc. Following the long fast, we will certainly enjoy in our home, the best lamb ever.

It is also known as the joyful fast. We will have stood at the foot of the cross, and we will have remembered who is the light and life of the world. Who it is that died in our place, and who we celebrate to be the One Resurrected from the dead. The only One, who ever was raised from the dead. "He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not." (John 1:10).

Alexander said the following: "He was the perfect example of life as God intended it. He was the heartbeat of the world and the world killed Him. But in the murder the world itself died. It lost its last chance to become the paradise God created it to be."

It's not too late to discover the real meaning of the "Cross of Christ." Walk with us, and find out why Christians proclaim the joy of the Resurrection, and continue to be credible witnesses to those seeking the way to Life, and the only Light to men.

The author tells us, "But as we stand before God, remembering all that He has done for us, and offer to Him our thanksgiving for all His benefits, we inescapably discover that the content of all this thanksgiving and remembrance is Christ. There is nothing else to remember, nothing else to be thankful for, because in Him everything finds its being, its life, its end."

Are you ready, to meet the Christ, the only begotten Son of the Living God? The words of Alexander Schmenann: "And in the light of the Eucharist we see that Christ is indeed the life and light of all that exists, and the glory that fills heaven and earth."