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Week 13: The Constitution of Christianity

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 SabbathLord's Sermon
    • Luke 6:1-11
    • Mark 2:23-3:6
    • Matthew 12:1-1420-49

Resources:

Quiz:

Material:

  • 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 (Sections titled: "Introduction",The "Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath", "Healing on the Sabbath"Beatitudes", "The Twelve Apostles"Woes")
  • Luke 6b: HG Bishop Youssef

 

 

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