Fasts & Feasts
February
2 - Meeting of Our Lord with Simeon & Anna
5 - Sunday of the Prodigal Son
11 - All Souls Saturday
12 - Meatfare Sunday
19 - Cheesefare Sunday
20 - Beginning of the Holy Forty Days Fast
26 - Sunday of Orthodoxy
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Forgiveness Sunday
March 6, 2011
Cheesfare Sunday
Matthew 6:14-21 - "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. "
"And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (RSV)
In Forgiving we become like God – Nothing makes us so like God as our readiness to forgive the wicked and wrongdoer. … Christ is seeking in every way possible to hinder our conflicts with one another. For since love is the root of all that is good, by removing from all quarters whatever mars it He brings us together and cements us to one another. For there is not one, not a single one, whether father or mother or friend, who loves us as much as the God who created us. (St. John Chrysostom, Commentary on Matthew)
Scripture
- Matins - John 20:11-18
- Divine Liturgy - Romans 13:11b-14:4, Matthew 6:14-21
No Hiding Allowed
When You will come to earth in glory, O God, * all things will tremble and the river of fire shall flow before Your judgment seat; * and the books will be opened and all hidden things revealed. * Deliver me, from the unquenchable fire * and make me worthy to stand at your right hand, O righteous Judge.
Wisdom from the Church Fathers
| [The Lord] is always knocking at the doors of our hearts, that we may open to Him, that He may enter in and rest in Our souls, and we may wash and anoint His feet, and He may make His abode with us. The Lord in that passage reproaches the man who did not wash His feet (Luke 7:44); and again He says elsewhere, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if any man will open unto Me, I shall come in unto him" (Rev. 3:20). To this end He endured to suffer many things, giving His own body unto death, and purchasing us out of bondage, in order that He might come to our soul and make His abode with it.. ..His food and His drink, His clothing and shelter and rest is in our souls. Therefore He is always knocking, desiring to enter into us.. Let us then receive Him, and bring Him within ourselves; because He is our food and our drink and our eternal life, and every soul that has not now received Him within and given Him rest, or rather found rest in Him, has no inheritance in the kingdom of heaven with the saints, and cannot enter into the heavenly city.. But Thou, Lord Jesus Christ, bring us thereunto, glorifying Thy name, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, for ever. Amen St Macarius the Great |