# Week 12: Jesus Responds to the Pharisees

#### Readings:

- Calling of Levi 
    - Luke 5:27-32
    - Matthew 9:9-13
    - Mark 2:13-17
- Jesus is Questioned about Fasting 
    - Luke 5:33-39
    - Mark 2:18-22
    - Matthew 9:14-17
- The Sabbath 
    - Luke 6:1-11
    - Mark 2:23-3:6
    - Matthew 12:1-14

#### Resources:

- HH Pope Shenouda II 
    - The Spirituality of Fasting: [https://www.dropbox.com/s/ujgqs1ct6givkm4/The%20Spirituality%20of%20Fasting%20-%20HH%20Pope%20Shenouda%20III.pdf?dl=0](https://www.dropbox.com/s/ujgqs1ct6givkm4/The%20Spirituality%20of%20Fasting%20-%20HH%20Pope%20Shenouda%20III.pdf?dl=0)
- HG Bishop Youssef 
    - Luke 5 Part 2: [https://soundcloud.com/his-grace-bishop-youssef/luke-5-27-39-bible-study](https://soundcloud.com/his-grace-bishop-youssef/luke-5-27-39-bible-study)
    - Luke 6 Part 1: [https://soundcloud.com/his-grace-bishop-youssef/luke-6-1-26-bible-study-english-arabic](https://soundcloud.com/his-grace-bishop-youssef/luke-6-1-26-bible-study-english-arabic)
- Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty 
    - Luke - [https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042\_Luke.pdf?dl=0](https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0)

#### Quiz:

- [https://forms.gle/frDtScW9zet5BQe99](https://forms.gle/frDtScW9zet5BQe99)

#### Material:

- [Luke 5b: HG Bishop Youssef](https://notes.morcous.com/books/gospel-of-luke/page/luke-5b-hg-bishop-youssef "Luke 5b: HG Bishop Youssef")
- Why do we fast in the Orthodox Church? 
    - The Lord was not against fasting... but rather, there is a time for it and the time of the Bridegroom is not it
    - This is why we are not even allowed to fast during the Holy 50 Days of the Resurrection - because the Bridegroom is with us
    - We see at the Transfiguration of Christ that two people appear next to Him: Moses and Elijah 
        - Moses, Elijah, and the Lord Himself all fasted 40 days
        - It's a message for us that by conquering the body through fasting, the spirit becomes manifest and the body is transfigured.
    - Fasting is the earliest commandment known to mankind 
        - God commanded Adam and Eve to refrain from eating a certain fruit from a certain tree
        - God set for the body certain limits beyond which it should not go
    - By abstaining from food, man rises above the level of the body and above matter 
        - If the first man had succeeded in triumphing over his bodily desire for food, it would have proven that his soul had overcome his bodily desires
        - Nevertheless, his own body defeated him
        - "*There is* therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." (Romans 8:1)
    - The Prophets Fasted
    - The Apostles Fasted
    - Whole Nations Fasted
    - Fasting is a Gift 
        - Not merely a commandment, but a godly gift with grace and blessing
    - Fasting precedes every grace and service 
        - Preparation for receiving every blessing 
            - Before every feast, we fast
            - Before receiving the Eucharist, we fast
        - Precedes every Service 
            - A priest fasts 40 days when he is ordained before starting his ministry
            - The Lord, Himself, fasted before starting His service
            - The Apostles fasted after receiving the Holy Spirit
    - Fasting unites us as a Church
    - There is joy in fasting - a spiritual person will find it
- As we are approaching the Advent Fast next week, let us take some practical steps to prepare ourselves for fasting...  
    
    - Sit with your Father of Confession to arrange for the fast - what kind of spiritual canon will he give you?
    - Finish the meat and dairy that is in your fridge so we don't come next Wednesday and say "well I just need to finish what we have and then we'll start fasting"
    - Plan a Thanksgiving Dinner with your family for Sunday or Monday so you don't postpone the fasting until after Thanksgiving... and then until after we finish the leftovers
- [Luke 6a: HG Bishop Youssef](https://notes.morcous.com/books/gospel-of-luke/page/luke-6a-hg-bishop-youssef "Luke 6a: HG Bishop Youssef") (Sections titled: "Introduction", "Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath", "Healing on the Sabbath", "The Twelve Apostles")