In a message published on the first day of Lent, His Grace Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe called Great Lent “a blessed opportunity for inner retreat from our daily distractions and wanderings.”
The Romanian bishop explained what fasting is and why we fast.
“Fasting is restoring our connection with ourselves, our neighbour and God. Fasting is our path to the deep self. Fasting is our path to the Resurrection that passes through the heart of our neighbour and has as its destination the encounter with the Risen Christ in our heart.”
“And we fast because we miss Christ. We are poor in spirit. We are diminished and destitute at heart.”
Bishop Macarie also noted that we fast “to enlarge our hearts, to prepare in the depths of our souls the clean grotto as a tomb of the Resurrection from which will shine the light that no darkness can cover or hide.”
“We fast to make our hearts a hospitable home for our brothers, a refuge for the troubled and sad. We fast to gain courage and to remember that works of faith are not in vain but are participation in the passions of the Saviour Christ and His Church. On the eve of Golgotha and the Resurrection, we fast with others to remember that we are not saved alone but in communion with our neighbours.”
“And when we fast, we retreat into the wilderness of our hearts, following the Saviour’s example. We withdraw from the worldly things to reach the edge of our desires and aspirations purified through effort from the dross of carnal desires,” His Grace explained.
“Let us consider these days well, therefore, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16).
“Let us withdraw from the informational uproar, from the incessant running towards false targets set by the conductors of the symphonies of deception. Let us cultivate those things that restore our humanity tamed in Christ: love, faith, and hope. Let us fast with joy. Let us take courage for Golgotha. And let us be ready for the Resurrection,” Bishop Macarie urged.
Photography courtesy of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Northern Europe
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