This week, we do not fast on any day. Most people would consider a non-fasting week
to be a time to relax a little, because after all, we are not fasting; we can eat anything we
want!
Some also erroneously feel that we are taking a Á-°little breakÁ-? before the arduous fast
begins.
None of these ideas is correct. The church tells her children not to fast this week to
underscore what truly saves a Christian. Fasting did not save the Pharisee, whom we
read about just last Sunday. He fasted and tithed and prayed, but was not justified. The
church services mention many times that he was not justified (made righteous, Á-°savedÁ-?
if you will) because of his pride, and the publican was saved because of his humility.
Some will foolishly believe that the fast free week tells us that fasting is not important,
and is optional, because it did not save the Pharisee, and all we need do is be humble.
Fasting, in and of itself, does not save, but we will not be saved if we do not fast. No
less a luminary than St Seraphim of Sarov has said this, and an attentive listening to the
services of the church underscores this point.
An athlete will not improve in his sport solely by eating certain food and abstaining
from others that slow him down or make him get fat, but he WILL NOT improve if his
diet is not optimal. So it is with fasting. It is necessary because of our nature, and its
effect is to help us become more spiritual, and focus on the things that are needful.
This week we are taught what not to think Á-? that fasting in and of itself saves. When the
church teaches what NOT to do, she always tells us what TO do. This week, we are
focusing on watchfulness and a sober attitude about our life, and the judgment.
This Sunday showed that humility saves. Always present with humility is watchfulness
and a sober attitude.
We must read this Epistle and the Gospel with a spirit of watchfulness.