About #trials that come with #fasting
In the observance of fasting, a discipline most venerable and ancient, we find ourselves embarking upon a journey that is both deeply personal and universally profound, much akin to the transformative passages detailed in the lives of the saints and the righteous. As we enter this solemn period, particularly marked by the commencement of the Great Lent, it is incumbent upon us to contemplate the manifold trials that accompany this spiritual endeavor, discerning their purpose and the divine wisdom they impart.
The act of fasting, far from being a mere abstention from corporeal nourishment, stands as a profound invocation of spiritual renewal and fortitude. It is a testament to our intrinsic yearning for the divine, a conscious mortification of the flesh to kindle the spirit's flame. Yet, it is in this very act of denial that we often encounter an array of trials, for it is a fundamental truth that the gold is tested by fire, and the faithful by the adversities they face.
Why, then, do these trials emerge with greater intensity as we fast and draw nearer to God? It is a question that resonates with the experiences of many devout souls who, in their pursuit of spiritual elevation, find themselves beset by temptations and tribulations. The answer lies not in the nature of fasting as a cause of these trials but in its capacity to illuminate the struggles inherent in our earthly pilgrimage.
The trials encountered during fasting are not indicators of divine disfavor but rather manifestations of spiritual warfare, wherein the forces that oppose our sanctification intensify their assaults as we strive to ascend the ladder of divine ascent. In fasting, our senses are sharpened, and our spiritual awareness is heightened, rendering us more attuned to the conflict between virtue and vice, light and darkness.
As we navigate the tempestuous waters of these trials, it is imperative to recall the purpose and the transformative power of fasting. It is a discipline that, as the Holy Scriptures and the teachings of the Church Fathers assert, bears the potential to vanquish passions, cultivate virtues, and draw the soul closer to the ineffable presence of God. It is a time of introspection and renewal, a sanctified period wherein the soul, liberated from the fetters of indulgence, soars toward the divine.
Fasting, therefore, should be embraced as a sacred opportunity to fortify the spirit, to confront and conquer the impulses that tether us to our lower nature. It is a call to spiritual arms, an invitation to engage in the noble struggle for holiness and purity of heart. As we persevere through the trials of fasting, let us do so with the assurance that these adversities, however daunting, are instrumental in our spiritual growth, shaping us into vessels more receptive to God's grace.
In conclusion, let the trials of fasting not dishearten us but rather inspire us with a resolute determination to press onward, ever upward, on our journey toward sanctity. Let us embrace these challenges as integral elements of our spiritual maturation, recognizing in them the divine pedagogy that seeks to refine our souls. And in this sacred endeavor, may we find solace in the fellowship of the saints, the guidance of the Church, and the inexhaustible mercy of God, who, in His infinite wisdom, transforms our tribulations into triumphs of the spirit.
May the name of the Holy God be praised forever and ever, today and always.
May the blessings of the Holy Mother of God, the Virgin, and the Cross be upon us. Amen.
© John's Repentance
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