Lent is coming to both lungs of the church this week, Byzantine Catholics (Byzantine Catholics are in full communion with the Pope) will begin on Monday (Pure Monday), while Roman Catholics will begin their Lenten journey on Ash Wednesday. Pure Monday for the Byzantines is a day of strict fast, all meat and dairy is forbidden, including eggs and all egg and dairy product derivatives.
St. John Chrysostom taught that the real value of fasting actually lies in the interior, that by fasting and penance the faithful withdraw from sin and progress towards greater holiness.
The period of Lent is marked by both interior and exterior fasting and is a time of spiritual renewal. Although The Great Fast actually takes place during the darkest and coldest parts of winter, it should be the the goal of each pentitent that his or her interior light will actually get brighter as a result of his or her lenten practices.
“Turning away from all wickedness means keeping our tongue in check, restraining our anger, suppressing evil desires and avoiding all gossip, lying and swearing,” said St. Basil the Great of Lent .”To abstain from these things – herein lies the true value of the fast.”
Joel 2:12-14 - “Yet even now," declares the LORD your God, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments." Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the LORD your God? (ESV - Reading for the Sixth Hour on Wednesday)
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