1 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:01,800 In the name of the Glorious Trinity. 2 00:00:01,800 --> 00:00:03,900 Father and Son and Holy Spirit forever. 3 00:00:03,900 --> 00:00:06,800 Amen. Glory be to the Everlasting 4 00:00:06,800 --> 00:00:10,200 mercies which sent you to us. Oh, Christ the light of the 5 00:00:10,200 --> 00:00:15,000 world and the life of all give us wisdom by a law and Enlighten 6 00:00:15,000 --> 00:00:18,900 our impulses, by your knowledge, sanctify, ourselves by your 7 00:00:18,900 --> 00:00:22,800 truth, and Grant that we may be obedient to your words and may 8 00:00:22,800 --> 00:00:24,800 fulfill your Commandments at every hour. 9 00:00:25,700 --> 00:00:29,000 Oh, you who enlightens the rationale with the knowledge of 10 00:00:29,000 --> 00:00:33,900 your greatness do in light or my Lord are thoughts that we made? 11 00:00:33,900 --> 00:00:37,200 Meditate upon your holy and divine scriptures at all times 12 00:00:37,200 --> 00:00:41,400 O, Lord of all Father and Son and Holy Spirit forever. 13 00:01:07,800 --> 00:01:11,600 What is the first thing that comes to mind or the most common 14 00:01:11,600 --> 00:01:15,600 reaction? When we have added a few pounds 15 00:01:15,600 --> 00:01:20,000 of kilograms on our weight, and there is a wedding or a, a 16 00:01:20,008 --> 00:01:22,300 specific, a special event coming up. 17 00:01:23,600 --> 00:01:29,300 Yeah, we begin to abstain from not only specific food but also 18 00:01:29,300 --> 00:01:36,600 and more importantly, the eating habits and we do this to deprive 19 00:01:36,600 --> 00:01:42,800 the body from storing fat. Now I'm no dietitian but you 20 00:01:42,800 --> 00:01:44,700 know, the drill. You know what I'm talking about? 21 00:01:45,300 --> 00:01:48,500 What happens when you produce specific symptoms pertaining to 22 00:01:48,500 --> 00:01:52,700 specific food, specific activities, or habits, Etc. 23 00:01:53,400 --> 00:01:58,300 You begin to abstain in order to be healed to be released, for 24 00:01:58,300 --> 00:02:04,400 example, I've been suffering with acid reflux for over 30 25 00:02:04,400 --> 00:02:10,100 years now and I know that each time I drink sodas It aggravates 26 00:02:10,100 --> 00:02:14,200 it it comes back. So what I do I need to abstain 27 00:02:14,200 --> 00:02:19,700 to cut out sodas or fizzy drinks or citrus fruits in order to 28 00:02:19,700 --> 00:02:22,700 avoid the discomfort of my acid reflux. 29 00:02:24,200 --> 00:02:27,700 You know, it's the same with our spiritual disease, has a 30 00:02:27,700 --> 00:02:34,700 spiritual symptoms, our spiritual weight of sin as we 31 00:02:34,700 --> 00:02:39,000 have begun our period of fasting, that is preparing our 32 00:02:39,000 --> 00:02:44,100 minds, our hearts, our souls to receive and celebrate one of the 33 00:02:44,108 --> 00:02:47,900 greatest events in the history of mankind, past present, and 34 00:02:47,900 --> 00:02:52,300 future along with the miraculous conception and birth of Jesus 35 00:02:52,300 --> 00:02:58,100 Christ, being the resurrection of Christ, When we fast during 36 00:02:58,100 --> 00:03:03,000 Lent, we are preparing ourselves to celebrate to receive the 37 00:03:03,000 --> 00:03:07,400 resurrection of Christ. Now, keeping in mind that 38 00:03:07,400 --> 00:03:10,500 without the crucifix, there would be no Resurrection. 39 00:03:10,500 --> 00:03:15,500 Hence, we worship extol and Revere the cross of Our Lord by 40 00:03:15,900 --> 00:03:18,800 performing its sign upon ourselves. 41 00:03:20,900 --> 00:03:25,900 When we fast, we begin to deprive the flesh, the body that 42 00:03:25,900 --> 00:03:28,000 is week, according to st. Paul. 43 00:03:28,700 --> 00:03:34,600 According To Jesus Christ week because of evil greed, 44 00:03:35,300 --> 00:03:42,700 selfishness, wanting desires, or unnoticeable or heading demonic 45 00:03:42,700 --> 00:03:52,300 strongholds, AKA addictions Etc. and when we do, We deprive the 46 00:03:52,300 --> 00:03:55,300 body when were fasting were depriving the body from its 47 00:03:55,300 --> 00:03:58,400 Comfort, its joy, and its pleasures. 48 00:03:59,800 --> 00:04:04,500 Allowing the spirit that is willing to overcome the fleshly 49 00:04:04,500 --> 00:04:08,500 desires and to supersede them with spiritual and virtuous 50 00:04:08,500 --> 00:04:12,900 Deeds. People ask, why do we fast from 51 00:04:12,900 --> 00:04:15,400 food? Let me ask. 52 00:04:15,400 --> 00:04:19,200 Why did God say to Adam and Eve do not eat? 53 00:04:20,800 --> 00:04:24,000 Well, it was so that Adam and Eve were Bound by commandment 54 00:04:24,000 --> 00:04:27,500 which extended to relationship with God is creator. 55 00:04:29,100 --> 00:04:34,200 You see, when we withhold food and drink, that means abstain, 56 00:04:35,100 --> 00:04:39,100 when we abstain from food and drink, we are reminded of the 57 00:04:39,100 --> 00:04:43,000 effect of Disobedience to God. You know, our minds taken us 58 00:04:43,000 --> 00:04:49,700 back to that first original sin sin that causes death and 59 00:04:49,700 --> 00:04:54,200 destruction to enter into the world singing, the fall and 60 00:04:54,200 --> 00:05:03,000 Corruption of men. However, Let not food be the 61 00:05:03,000 --> 00:05:08,900 major factor of our fasting. Abstaining not merely from food 62 00:05:08,900 --> 00:05:13,400 but rather from our habits carelessness. 63 00:05:14,400 --> 00:05:18,800 Foolishness selfishness ignorance. 64 00:05:19,100 --> 00:05:23,800 Arrogance immorality. Why? 65 00:05:24,700 --> 00:05:29,200 Because we have D and J awaiting us. 66 00:05:29,200 --> 00:05:32,100 Now I'm not going to talk too much about dnj, that's going to 67 00:05:32,100 --> 00:05:37,500 be our next episode. So I'm going to mention D and J, 68 00:05:37,600 --> 00:05:40,800 but I'm not going to elaborate. I want you to listen to next 69 00:05:40,800 --> 00:05:44,400 week's episode, and we're going to talk about the D and G. 70 00:05:46,600 --> 00:05:53,200 So, we abstain from our sins, our foolishness our weakness 71 00:05:54,100 --> 00:05:59,900 because we have D and G, awaiting us. so in John, 72 00:05:59,900 --> 00:06:06,600 chrysostom writes in one of his homilies Very nicely. 73 00:06:06,600 --> 00:06:10,800 Put actually, do you fast. Are you fasting? 74 00:06:11,200 --> 00:06:14,200 My question Orson, John chrysostom's question, to all of 75 00:06:14,200 --> 00:06:18,700 us today is, are you fasting or do you fast? 76 00:06:19,900 --> 00:06:23,700 He goes on to say, prove it by your works and that goes 77 00:06:23,700 --> 00:06:26,200 hand-in-hand with James Chapter 2 Verse 18. 78 00:06:26,700 --> 00:06:31,300 For a man may say to you you and I have faith, I have Works. 79 00:06:31,700 --> 00:06:36,800 Show me your faith without works and I shall show you my faith by 80 00:06:36,800 --> 00:06:40,800 my works. And one of the Deeds of Faith 81 00:06:41,100 --> 00:06:44,400 along with praying reading scriptures attending church is 82 00:06:44,500 --> 00:06:49,400 fasting. So when you fast, you need to 83 00:06:51,200 --> 00:06:55,800 make yourself content and you to be portraying that period of 84 00:06:55,800 --> 00:07:00,600 fasting and I'll and Jesus gives us a method of that by our 85 00:07:00,600 --> 00:07:06,900 works, our Deeds He goes on to say is it is said by what kind 86 00:07:06,900 --> 00:07:09,700 of works. All you know what Deeds are you 87 00:07:09,700 --> 00:07:11,700 talking about? What are you referring to? 88 00:07:13,000 --> 00:07:16,800 And he lists some, he goes on to say, if thou seest, the poor 89 00:07:16,800 --> 00:07:18,700 man. If you see a poor man, take pity 90 00:07:18,700 --> 00:07:21,700 on him. You know, during Lent, one of 91 00:07:21,700 --> 00:07:24,500 the greatest Deeds, one of the obligations, the 92 00:07:24,500 --> 00:07:27,800 responsibilities, the duties, the gifts, the blessings of a 93 00:07:27,808 --> 00:07:35,200 Christian is to have pity on his brother, man, who is in need. 94 00:07:36,600 --> 00:07:39,600 If you see a poor man, take pity on him. 95 00:07:40,200 --> 00:07:46,300 Proverbs 18 7, sorry, Proverbs 1917 reads, he that follows the 96 00:07:46,300 --> 00:07:50,000 Lord, God shows mercy upon the poor and he is rewarded. 97 00:07:50,000 --> 00:07:52,100 According to his works. Why? 98 00:07:52,900 --> 00:07:57,700 Why is that? If I want to prove and make 99 00:07:57,800 --> 00:08:01,100 evident that I follow the lord God I must show Mercy on the 100 00:08:01,100 --> 00:08:03,500 poor because that's what he did, praise His name. 101 00:08:04,500 --> 00:08:09,300 He showed Mercy on our pitifulness when he took flesh 102 00:08:09,300 --> 00:08:12,900 and came down and walked Among Us and died for us. 103 00:08:14,200 --> 00:08:19,400 So John goes on to say if you see an enemy be reconciled to 104 00:08:19,400 --> 00:08:24,400 him. Matthew 5:44 but I say to you 105 00:08:24,500 --> 00:08:28,100 love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, listen, 106 00:08:28,300 --> 00:08:30,800 you cannot eat meat until the Lord. 107 00:08:30,800 --> 00:08:36,200 Returns you can be total vegan until the Lord returns. 108 00:08:36,900 --> 00:08:39,299 You can fast. All the faster are in the 109 00:08:39,308 --> 00:08:43,299 liturgical calendar of the church until the Lord returns. 110 00:08:44,100 --> 00:08:49,700 But if we cannot show love it, only becomes a diet, a spiritual 111 00:08:49,700 --> 00:08:54,900 diet to, no avail That's why Saint, John chrysostom rights. 112 00:08:55,100 --> 00:08:59,400 If you see your enemy and in particular during Lent, because 113 00:08:59,400 --> 00:09:04,300 this is the time we want the body to be deprived from from, 114 00:09:04,900 --> 00:09:09,400 you know, despising people and from being so arrogant, and we 115 00:09:09,400 --> 00:09:13,300 want the body to be humbled and to show love to the enemy's 116 00:09:13,300 --> 00:09:17,700 According To Jesus Commandments. But I say to you, this is Jesus 117 00:09:17,700 --> 00:09:21,800 speaking again, not one of the church fathers, Not one of the 118 00:09:21,800 --> 00:09:25,800 sayings, not a Prophet. This is Jesus Christ, Our Lord, 119 00:09:25,800 --> 00:09:29,500 Our God, our savior, our life Giver for the fender forgiver of 120 00:09:29,500 --> 00:09:31,500 our sins. Now, you must be taken heed 121 00:09:31,500 --> 00:09:35,900 right now. When you hear the name, Jesus 122 00:09:35,900 --> 00:09:38,200 Christ and I always always mentioned this in my sermons 123 00:09:38,400 --> 00:09:43,400 when we hear the name, the precious Majestic dominant name 124 00:09:43,600 --> 00:09:49,100 of our Lord Jesus Christ, we must stop and take heed and this 125 00:09:49,100 --> 00:09:52,600 is what he is commanding, but I say to you, love your enemies. 126 00:09:52,600 --> 00:09:55,000 And pray for those who persecute you. 127 00:09:57,500 --> 00:10:03,500 What great time, then during fasting, can we attempt and try? 128 00:10:03,800 --> 00:10:07,700 strive struggle to fulfill this commandment and we can do it 129 00:10:07,900 --> 00:10:11,500 through Christ Saint, John, chrysostom goes on to say, if 130 00:10:11,500 --> 00:10:18,100 you see a friend, gaining honor, envy him, not congratulate him 131 00:10:18,700 --> 00:10:24,400 complimenting, encourage him, maybe learn from him or her. 132 00:10:25,400 --> 00:10:29,400 Maybe consult your friend, you know, how did you make so much 133 00:10:29,400 --> 00:10:30,700 money? That's what that's what it 134 00:10:30,700 --> 00:10:35,900 always boils down to, right wealth, glamour know what about, 135 00:10:36,200 --> 00:10:39,300 you know, how you know what is it? 136 00:10:39,300 --> 00:10:43,300 Take you and and what did you go through, to what extent did you 137 00:10:43,300 --> 00:10:46,600 go through to, to be so humbled, and to begin? 138 00:10:46,700 --> 00:10:49,500 In to fulfill the Commandments of our Lord Jesus Christ. 139 00:10:50,600 --> 00:10:57,900 Galatians 5:26, and let not us. Be vainglorious looking for 140 00:10:57,900 --> 00:11:01,100 vainglory. Despising one another and 141 00:11:01,100 --> 00:11:06,000 envying, one another. So, John goes on. 142 00:11:06,300 --> 00:11:12,300 If you see a handsome woman or a handsome man pass her or him, 143 00:11:12,500 --> 00:11:15,700 bye. You know what he's talking about 144 00:11:16,700 --> 00:11:20,800 in Matthew 5:28, I think this is what he's quoting, but I say to 145 00:11:20,800 --> 00:11:28,600 you that whoever gazes as a man or a woman with a rose sexual 146 00:11:28,600 --> 00:11:32,800 desires, now, you know, scriptures don't command us that 147 00:11:32,800 --> 00:11:35,600 we should not gaze at one another and look at one another. 148 00:11:35,900 --> 00:11:39,300 It's just like when Jesus says when you want to do your good, 149 00:11:39,700 --> 00:11:46,200 don't do it to be seen by men. Not just be so conspicuous so 150 00:11:46,200 --> 00:11:48,400 that no one can see you. It's impossible. 151 00:11:48,400 --> 00:11:54,000 Sometimes, but don't do your good intentionally to be seen 152 00:11:54,000 --> 00:12:00,600 and applauded and rewarded by men when you gaze at a woman or 153 00:12:00,600 --> 00:12:04,800 a man don't gaze for sexual desires. 154 00:12:06,200 --> 00:12:10,600 Because at once that person has committed adultery with her or 155 00:12:10,600 --> 00:12:17,600 him in his heart, or her heart. during the lent, this period of 156 00:12:17,600 --> 00:12:22,200 Lent beloved, especially my young beloved Youth and you know 157 00:12:22,200 --> 00:12:25,600 the the younger age and maybe I shouldn't have even said that 158 00:12:25,600 --> 00:12:28,700 but any person but let's talk about the younger age for now, 159 00:12:29,200 --> 00:12:35,000 you know, social media tick tock, I cannot fathom it mind 160 00:12:35,000 --> 00:12:37,600 boggles me. I don't understand. 161 00:12:37,800 --> 00:12:42,500 I don't understand how a sister could be filming herself, 162 00:12:42,900 --> 00:12:49,200 dancing in the most sexual perverse and and connotated way. 163 00:12:49,700 --> 00:12:54,300 So that the whole world can watch and see and witness that 164 00:12:54,300 --> 00:13:00,400 is evil beloved. That is evil. so during this 165 00:13:00,400 --> 00:13:03,700 time of Lent, if you're struggling with pornography, 166 00:13:04,100 --> 00:13:08,800 which is now so normal, you don't need to maybe buy 167 00:13:08,800 --> 00:13:10,900 magazines now, it's on tick-tock. 168 00:13:12,200 --> 00:13:17,800 It's on the social medias. It's on the internet so readily 169 00:13:17,800 --> 00:13:23,300 available. And today readily available for 170 00:13:23,300 --> 00:13:26,000 the children as well. God have mercy. 171 00:13:27,100 --> 00:13:32,300 If you're struggling with this demonic act demonic possession, 172 00:13:32,500 --> 00:13:36,900 which is AKA addiction. If you're struggling, this is 173 00:13:36,900 --> 00:13:41,400 the time to deprive the body and Saint John, chrysostom is going 174 00:13:41,400 --> 00:13:47,100 to tell us how to to deprive the desires of the body. 175 00:13:49,100 --> 00:13:53,900 He goes on full, let not the mouth only fast but also the eye 176 00:13:53,900 --> 00:13:58,300 and the ear and the feet and the hands and all the members of our 177 00:13:58,300 --> 00:14:02,300 bodies. Let the hands fast by being pure 178 00:14:02,300 --> 00:14:06,800 from wrapping that is stealing. And greediness, I will add to 179 00:14:06,800 --> 00:14:12,400 this gentleman. Let your hands cease and be 180 00:14:12,400 --> 00:14:17,300 deprived. Let your hands be cut off. 181 00:14:17,500 --> 00:14:20,700 From the evil acts of sexual desires. 182 00:14:22,400 --> 00:14:24,700 Use your hands for the glory of God. 183 00:14:25,100 --> 00:14:30,200 Use your hands to help others. Use your hands to do. 184 00:14:30,300 --> 00:14:37,600 Good, Matthew 5:30. If your hand causes you to sin 185 00:14:38,000 --> 00:14:44,200 in any way, shape or form, my beloved brothers and sisters, 186 00:14:44,800 --> 00:14:51,900 cut it off and throw it away. Now 11 helpful, hint is, what is 187 00:14:51,900 --> 00:14:57,200 causing your hand to sin? Is it social media? 188 00:14:57,700 --> 00:15:00,700 Is it the internet? Is it Hollywood? 189 00:15:01,300 --> 00:15:05,700 Is it one of the shows that you watch or what you see on, on the 190 00:15:05,700 --> 00:15:12,000 web, cut it out, throw it away. Because it is better to go into 191 00:15:12,000 --> 00:15:15,700 the kingdom of heaven with one hand, missing paraphrasing. 192 00:15:17,300 --> 00:15:20,700 Turn to have both hands, then to have both ends and to be thrown 193 00:15:21,000 --> 00:15:24,200 in the fiery. Hell, this is the time beloved. 194 00:15:24,700 --> 00:15:30,000 This is how we need to fast, not because I like chocolate so 195 00:15:30,000 --> 00:15:33,500 much, I'm don't fool yourself. I don't know who's come up with 196 00:15:33,500 --> 00:15:36,100 these ideas of fasting and I'm going to give you the the proper 197 00:15:36,100 --> 00:15:39,200 way of fasting. I don't lie, I love drinking 198 00:15:39,200 --> 00:15:43,100 Coke Coke so I'm going to stop drinking Coke, that's my fast 199 00:15:43,100 --> 00:15:48,500 know that does not cut it. You can stop drinking any drink, 200 00:15:49,500 --> 00:15:53,800 but if your hand is still sinning, well, you're fasting 201 00:15:53,900 --> 00:15:59,000 becomes null and void. Let the feet fast by ceasing 202 00:15:59,000 --> 00:16:02,400 from running to the unlawful events and places. 203 00:16:03,700 --> 00:16:08,700 Rave parties. Where it seems that all those in 204 00:16:08,800 --> 00:16:13,800 are in some sort of a drug effect that trance and they like 205 00:16:13,800 --> 00:16:19,000 worshipping the DJ, not the dnj, the DM Jays next week's episode. 206 00:16:19,000 --> 00:16:24,200 No, this is the DJ, the DJ that stands on a platform and has his 207 00:16:24,200 --> 00:16:28,100 or her hands stretched out and he's asking everyone to jump up 208 00:16:28,100 --> 00:16:30,700 and down and everyone is like, you know, you look at it, it's 209 00:16:30,700 --> 00:16:36,400 like they were worshiping this DJ You know, let your feet steer 210 00:16:36,400 --> 00:16:41,900 away from these places during the time of Lent and Beyond, not 211 00:16:41,900 --> 00:16:44,900 only during time of lent, you know, this is the period where 212 00:16:44,900 --> 00:16:50,000 we, where we are in complete and, and, you know, struggling 213 00:16:50,000 --> 00:16:53,900 and training ourselves. So that after we have fulfilled 214 00:16:53,900 --> 00:17:00,100 this period, we continue, we continue with the Holiness, the 215 00:17:00,300 --> 00:17:04,300 Peace of Mind, the, the comfort and the ink. 216 00:17:04,400 --> 00:17:07,099 Encouragement of the spirit that we receive. 217 00:17:07,099 --> 00:17:12,400 We continue with that beloved. Galatians 5:19-21. 218 00:17:14,500 --> 00:17:20,000 Listen to this young brothers and sisters for the works of the 219 00:17:20,000 --> 00:17:23,099 flesh are known which are fornication. 220 00:17:23,800 --> 00:17:28,000 Impurity whoredom the worship of Idols. 221 00:17:28,500 --> 00:17:34,800 Witchcraft hate, contention rivalry rage, insulins 222 00:17:35,000 --> 00:17:39,800 dissensions divisions, Envy murder drunkenness. 223 00:17:40,700 --> 00:17:44,800 Ealing. You know what that word is. 224 00:17:46,000 --> 00:17:48,200 Is talking about the Rave parties. 225 00:17:49,400 --> 00:17:55,100 Enjoying oneself in a lively and noisy way, especially with 226 00:17:55,100 --> 00:17:58,800 drinking and dancing and drugs. I'll add to that. 227 00:18:00,700 --> 00:18:04,300 And Paul goes on to say and all such things, those who are 228 00:18:04,300 --> 00:18:08,200 committing these things, as I said to you from the first, I 229 00:18:08,200 --> 00:18:13,800 say now also that day shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 230 00:18:15,700 --> 00:18:21,000 during the time of Lent, we must refrain We must train ourselves 231 00:18:21,000 --> 00:18:24,400 to say. No, stop our feet from walking 232 00:18:24,400 --> 00:18:28,900 to such places beloved. That's why during Lent? 233 00:18:29,400 --> 00:18:34,400 We do, not bless weddings. We do not perform officiate 234 00:18:34,400 --> 00:18:38,400 wedding ceremonies not. Because marriage is a sin, know 235 00:18:38,400 --> 00:18:40,000 it's amazing. Gift of God. 236 00:18:40,300 --> 00:18:44,200 But the celebrations that take place after the wedding 237 00:18:44,200 --> 00:18:50,000 ceremony, the drunkenness. The nudity, and that's what we 238 00:18:50,000 --> 00:18:55,300 need to call it. Now the nudity, The immorality 239 00:18:55,300 --> 00:19:00,400 that happens at times beloved. That's why we don't offer the 240 00:19:00,400 --> 00:19:06,200 sacrament of baptism during Lent not because baptism is a Bad 241 00:19:06,200 --> 00:19:11,800 Thing costly. Only in extreme cases only in 242 00:19:11,800 --> 00:19:14,400 extreme cases, life and death cases. 243 00:19:14,800 --> 00:19:17,900 We will Minister the secret sacrament of baptism. 244 00:19:19,600 --> 00:19:22,500 The reason why the church refrains from that is because 245 00:19:22,500 --> 00:19:27,800 after baptism It's one more time dancing and drinking. 246 00:19:28,200 --> 00:19:33,000 And I'm sorry to say at times hiring belly dancers. 247 00:19:33,700 --> 00:19:38,300 Are you serious? Your child has received the 248 00:19:38,300 --> 00:19:41,400 grace that greatest gift of the Holy Spirit. 249 00:19:42,600 --> 00:19:46,500 Which is the sacrament of baptism being born in you being 250 00:19:46,500 --> 00:19:48,900 put to death with Christ in baptism. 251 00:19:49,100 --> 00:19:53,400 Being given you life being clothed with Christ being 252 00:19:53,400 --> 00:19:56,200 counted. As one of the sheep of the flock 253 00:19:56,200 --> 00:19:59,900 of Christ, we celebrate with belly dancing. 254 00:20:04,800 --> 00:20:07,500 Let the eyes Saint. John chrysostom goes on to say, 255 00:20:07,500 --> 00:20:12,500 let the eyes fast being taught never to fix themselves, rudely 256 00:20:12,500 --> 00:20:19,400 upon handsome, countenance, or to busy themselves with strange 257 00:20:19,400 --> 00:20:22,300 Beauties. That's what it's all about 258 00:20:22,300 --> 00:20:28,600 today. Beauty, You know, we, we inject 259 00:20:28,600 --> 00:20:32,200 our faces to look beautiful to enhance. 260 00:20:32,200 --> 00:20:36,900 Our Beauty. Are you telling me? 261 00:20:38,300 --> 00:20:41,500 That the beauty that God has given you. 262 00:20:43,000 --> 00:20:45,800 I'm talking to Christians who claim that they believe in God 263 00:20:46,600 --> 00:20:49,700 and they love Jesus. And they follow Jesus, that 264 00:20:49,700 --> 00:20:53,800 you're not content with the lips that God has created you with, 265 00:20:54,300 --> 00:20:58,500 you need to get them blown up, you're not content with the 266 00:20:58,500 --> 00:21:02,300 facial. What's the word? 267 00:21:02,300 --> 00:21:06,700 Facial aspects are? No, you're not, you're not 268 00:21:06,700 --> 00:21:11,100 content. You need to enhance them because 269 00:21:11,100 --> 00:21:15,100 God got it wrong. Is that the message that we are 270 00:21:15,100 --> 00:21:19,600 giving? Well, proverbs 31:30 those who 271 00:21:19,600 --> 00:21:25,300 spent so much money on such a wasteful want beauty is false. 272 00:21:26,200 --> 00:21:31,600 And favor is empty but a woman or a man, that is in the OR of 273 00:21:31,600 --> 00:21:38,000 the Lord God shall be praised. So, during this time of Lent, 274 00:21:38,000 --> 00:21:45,100 beloved, if you have entered this spiritual warfare, Or 275 00:21:45,100 --> 00:21:50,500 you're contemplating entering this spiritual warfare because 276 00:21:50,500 --> 00:21:58,400 when Jesus fasted there was a war that was a contest between 277 00:21:58,400 --> 00:22:01,300 Satan and Christ. Praise be to his name, he 278 00:22:01,300 --> 00:22:05,300 overcame. So, if you are in the period of 279 00:22:05,300 --> 00:22:08,500 fasting, you offering your fast. Keep in mind. 280 00:22:08,900 --> 00:22:10,500 Not just what goes in your mouth? 281 00:22:11,200 --> 00:22:15,300 Jesus says that actually doesn't defile you but what comes out 282 00:22:15,600 --> 00:22:22,300 will defile you Again you can fast from poultry, you can fast 283 00:22:22,300 --> 00:22:25,900 from dairy products but if you're not fasting from your joy 284 00:22:25,900 --> 00:22:29,500 and your drinking and your and your you know, going out 285 00:22:29,500 --> 00:22:31,700 enjoying yourself having so much fun. 286 00:22:32,400 --> 00:22:37,100 Well then the body is not really deprived is it It's a total 287 00:22:37,100 --> 00:22:42,300 deprivation beloved. you know, you you abstain from from the 288 00:22:42,300 --> 00:22:48,600 joy that you have on a daily basis and that is the deed that 289 00:22:48,600 --> 00:22:53,100 proves that you truly are offering a period of fast 290 00:22:53,300 --> 00:22:56,900 abstinence from food and from Deeds, as well. 291 00:22:58,300 --> 00:23:01,400 So how do we fast? Well, Jesus commands in Matthew 292 00:23:01,400 --> 00:23:05,100 6, 16. And when you fast I'm is we must 293 00:23:05,100 --> 00:23:10,500 fast. When you fast do not sad and do 294 00:23:10,500 --> 00:23:16,000 not be sad like the Hypocrites for they, distort their faces 295 00:23:16,300 --> 00:23:20,300 and they may be said, they may be seen of men to fast verily. 296 00:23:20,300 --> 00:23:23,100 I say to you, they have gotten their reward. 297 00:23:24,100 --> 00:23:27,400 When you fast of complain, don't whinge if you're going to 298 00:23:27,400 --> 00:23:32,100 complain and whinge or just don't do it, you have free will 299 00:23:32,400 --> 00:23:38,500 the church encourages the church, you know, cries out the 300 00:23:38,500 --> 00:23:44,100 period of Lent to her children and the church truly would like, 301 00:23:44,100 --> 00:23:48,600 every person that is a member of the flock of Christ to offer 302 00:23:48,600 --> 00:23:51,200 this fasting. So that it becomes a public fast 303 00:23:51,200 --> 00:23:53,700 as well, but we don't have power. 304 00:23:53,700 --> 00:23:56,600 We I don't have we don't have you know, we have forced people 305 00:23:56,600 --> 00:24:04,800 into it but if you out of your free will, I so serious about 306 00:24:04,800 --> 00:24:10,500 your current situation and where you stand in the Holiness that 307 00:24:10,500 --> 00:24:15,000 we have been called to because of our sins and you want to 308 00:24:15,000 --> 00:24:18,700 fast, Jesus puts it very beautiful, do it. 309 00:24:18,700 --> 00:24:25,200 Wholeheartedly and not to be seen by people be prepared, for 310 00:24:25,500 --> 00:24:29,400 a war of Temptations, beloved equipped yourselves with the 311 00:24:29,400 --> 00:24:32,400 Holy scriptures, that was Jesus armor. 312 00:24:32,500 --> 00:24:34,500 Against Satan. And by the way, Satan had the 313 00:24:34,500 --> 00:24:37,900 same weapon it has been said it is been written. 314 00:24:38,300 --> 00:24:40,400 So Satan new scripture in you and I are. 315 00:24:40,400 --> 00:24:46,600 So sometimes illiterate Be prepared with holy scriptures. 316 00:24:47,400 --> 00:24:50,600 Read the lives of the Saints. They give you a lot of Courage 317 00:24:50,600 --> 00:24:53,300 beloved. They went, they were people like 318 00:24:53,300 --> 00:24:57,600 you and I who said, no, to the world, totally turned their 319 00:24:57,600 --> 00:25:03,500 backs to the world and lived a life of fasting and prayer and 320 00:25:03,500 --> 00:25:06,300 total isolation, and total sacrifice to God. 321 00:25:07,200 --> 00:25:12,700 Read these stories and see how they overcame the desires, their 322 00:25:12,700 --> 00:25:17,900 fleshly desires. So, what is the method? 323 00:25:17,900 --> 00:25:21,300 According to the Church of fasting, we wake up in the 324 00:25:21,300 --> 00:25:22,800 morning. By the way, fasting means 325 00:25:22,800 --> 00:25:27,900 abstinence not just, not eating particular foods, but abstinence 326 00:25:27,900 --> 00:25:32,700 no eating, no drinking. You know, some say and ask when 327 00:25:32,700 --> 00:25:37,600 Jesus fasted 40 days and 40 nights, did he not drink. 328 00:25:38,100 --> 00:25:44,200 Well, according to his flesh he would have needed to Consume 329 00:25:44,200 --> 00:25:48,400 liquid because, you know it's been said that a person can go 330 00:25:48,400 --> 00:25:52,000 for four days maximum I believe without drinking water without 331 00:25:52,000 --> 00:25:55,100 liquid. That's why the scripture say he 332 00:25:55,100 --> 00:26:01,500 fasted 40 days and 40 nights and he hungered meaning not he 333 00:26:01,500 --> 00:26:05,500 thirsted he hungered so he must have been drinking liquid. 334 00:26:05,800 --> 00:26:10,300 But regardless beloved you know let's not let's not swallow the 335 00:26:10,300 --> 00:26:15,000 camel and sift the net so when you Wake up in the morning and 336 00:26:15,000 --> 00:26:20,100 you offer your fast. Obviously you prepare yourself 337 00:26:20,108 --> 00:26:25,400 hygienically you. Go into your room, you pray and 338 00:26:25,400 --> 00:26:29,000 you beseech. The Lord to make you worthy to 339 00:26:29,000 --> 00:26:34,800 offer this fast because fasting is a gracious gift from God. 340 00:26:34,800 --> 00:26:40,200 We are not worthy but we ask God to make us worthy to offer our 341 00:26:40,200 --> 00:26:43,400 fast to help us to strengthen us. 342 00:26:44,500 --> 00:26:48,200 And to always reveal our shortcomings, our sins, our 343 00:26:48,200 --> 00:26:53,100 folds, our transgressions. After you have prayed, we 344 00:26:53,100 --> 00:26:55,600 abstain. That means we don't drink or we 345 00:26:55,600 --> 00:26:58,800 don't eat. Now, there are two methods one, 346 00:26:59,700 --> 00:27:03,600 the traditional forefathers method is that they would 347 00:27:03,600 --> 00:27:09,500 abstain from the time that they would wake up till evening 348 00:27:09,500 --> 00:27:14,100 prayers Vespers. So till the time, I'm of sun and 349 00:27:14,100 --> 00:27:18,100 sunset. I know some people, you know, 350 00:27:18,100 --> 00:27:19,500 may be fasting for the first time. 351 00:27:19,500 --> 00:27:21,100 This may be too difficult for them. 352 00:27:21,300 --> 00:27:24,900 Well, why don't you do this? Wake up in the morning, proposal 353 00:27:24,900 --> 00:27:29,800 hygienically after your fast until lunchtime, don't eat, or 354 00:27:29,800 --> 00:27:33,700 drink until lunchtime. And when you do pray before you 355 00:27:33,700 --> 00:27:37,400 eat Lord, he my prayers and accept my fast. 356 00:27:37,500 --> 00:27:40,700 Help me to overcome my sins. Lord, forgive me, Lord. 357 00:27:40,700 --> 00:27:44,200 Jesus Christ, son of God. Help me a sinner. 358 00:27:44,200 --> 00:27:46,200 Forgive me for all my transgressions. 359 00:27:46,700 --> 00:27:50,600 Give me strength to continue. Lord to continue to focus on 360 00:27:50,600 --> 00:27:53,800 you. Those who want to go the full 361 00:27:53,800 --> 00:27:58,300 day until sunset. Well, you do the same but I 362 00:27:58,308 --> 00:28:01,800 encourage you to attend the festivities will be Vespas every 363 00:28:01,800 --> 00:28:06,100 day where you pray with the community, the church community 364 00:28:06,500 --> 00:28:10,300 and ask the Lord to receive and accept and forgive our sins and 365 00:28:10,300 --> 00:28:13,200 trespasses but on a Sunday below. 366 00:28:13,300 --> 00:28:16,700 Ovid on a Sunday. We cannot abstain because we 367 00:28:16,700 --> 00:28:18,500 need to partake in the Holy Eucharist. 368 00:28:19,200 --> 00:28:24,100 So I encourage you on a Sunday to attend church services to 369 00:28:24,100 --> 00:28:28,400 receive the Absolution that the church has been authorized to 370 00:28:28,400 --> 00:28:32,700 bestow upon her children to partake in the all, sanctifying 371 00:28:32,700 --> 00:28:35,700 all healing body and blood of our Lord and our Savior, Jesus 372 00:28:35,700 --> 00:28:39,700 Christ. So this will go on for 49 days 373 00:28:40,200 --> 00:28:44,400 until the Feast of the Ian of Our Lord. 374 00:28:45,000 --> 00:28:49,300 So again it's usually from Sunset to Sunset. 375 00:28:49,300 --> 00:28:55,700 So let's say, for example, Sunset Monday to Sunset Tuesday. 376 00:28:56,700 --> 00:29:02,300 All right, so Sunset Monday, we break our abstinence our fast, 377 00:29:02,300 --> 00:29:06,800 we eat food, and then we have a service of Thanksgiving until 378 00:29:06,800 --> 00:29:10,900 the next Sunset. Now, this is how the church 379 00:29:10,900 --> 00:29:15,100 encourages but again, Every person is different. 380 00:29:15,100 --> 00:29:20,300 I understand if you've never fasted, try it one day a week, 381 00:29:20,500 --> 00:29:24,200 then the next week, do it for two days and the following week, 382 00:29:24,300 --> 00:29:27,800 do it for three days. I assure you, I assure you 383 00:29:28,000 --> 00:29:33,000 through experiences of other people that have began fasting 384 00:29:33,000 --> 00:29:36,900 for the first time that after a while it becomes easier because 385 00:29:36,900 --> 00:29:40,300 the Lord strengthens and the Lord will give you strength. 386 00:29:40,300 --> 00:29:44,600 Now during fasting, they must be a lot of Prayer, beloved 387 00:29:45,700 --> 00:29:49,100 continuously, asking the Lord to help you to overcome this 388 00:29:49,100 --> 00:29:54,200 battle, because Satan will intensify his attacks on on you 389 00:29:54,200 --> 00:29:57,600 and most importantly, again, attend browser service. 390 00:29:58,100 --> 00:30:03,000 Now, I want to finish by sharing a cannon, which is a prayer that 391 00:30:03,000 --> 00:30:08,600 is prayed every morning before the the matins in the church and 392 00:30:08,900 --> 00:30:14,400 the Canon canonical prayer. And you know, Ian Would you to 393 00:30:14,400 --> 00:30:16,400 pray this? It goes like this. 394 00:30:16,400 --> 00:30:20,800 In the mid night, I rose up to praise you for your just 395 00:30:20,800 --> 00:30:24,800 Judgment at night. Let us sing. 396 00:30:24,800 --> 00:30:31,000 Praise to the Vigilant one who does not sleep whom Angels serve 397 00:30:31,500 --> 00:30:34,400 at night. When the voices of All Sorts are 398 00:30:34,400 --> 00:30:38,100 silenced our prayer, Delights You O. 399 00:30:38,100 --> 00:30:42,700 Lord, who is pleased with the penitent and his those who are 400 00:30:42,700 --> 00:30:46,200 for their repentance. Once he hears and does not turn 401 00:30:46,200 --> 00:30:49,700 away. He listens and redeems and saves 402 00:30:50,000 --> 00:30:55,200 here O Lord our prayer and in your mercy grant our petitions 403 00:30:55,500 --> 00:31:00,700 because you alone are full of mercy and pardon debts. 404 00:31:02,300 --> 00:31:06,500 It's a beautiful prayer, you can recite before you go to sleep. 405 00:31:07,000 --> 00:31:11,900 And when you wake up again, we thank God and we open the day 406 00:31:11,900 --> 00:31:15,200 with the Lord's Prayer and continue to communicate with the 407 00:31:15,200 --> 00:31:16,800 Lord during this period of fasting. 408 00:31:16,800 --> 00:31:20,600 Beloved, I pray that the gracious Lord God, grants us the 409 00:31:20,600 --> 00:31:26,700 victory that he son through, which he conquered Satan and all 410 00:31:26,700 --> 00:31:29,800 Temptations through this time of fasting. 411 00:31:29,800 --> 00:31:33,900 Beloved, we are a sitting Target, Keep in mind that we 412 00:31:33,900 --> 00:31:37,500 have Victory through Christ, Our Lord and our savior. 413 00:31:38,000 --> 00:31:44,300 And if you have any struggles, any any issues or you're facing 414 00:31:44,300 --> 00:31:49,400 difficulties, you know I strongly consult strongly, 415 00:31:50,400 --> 00:31:54,800 advise you and encourage you to seek your spiritual counsel has 416 00:31:54,800 --> 00:31:59,600 advised your Parish priest. Let us all offer this fast to 417 00:31:59,600 --> 00:32:01,600 our Lord, so that he may forgive us. 418 00:32:02,100 --> 00:32:04,200 And have mercy upon us. Praise and glory. 419 00:32:04,200 --> 00:32:06,700 Be to his name now on at all times and forever. 420 00:32:28,700 --> 00:32:30,700 We hope you enjoyed this week's message. 421 00:32:30,700 --> 00:32:33,900 Please don't forget to rate and review this podcast and share 422 00:32:33,900 --> 00:32:36,300 with your friends and family for any future. 423 00:32:36,300 --> 00:32:39,100 Topic suggestions are to give us detailed feedback. 424 00:32:39,200 --> 00:32:45,700 Please visit our Link in the show notes, link T R.E /wh 425 00:32:45,700 --> 00:32:48,100 sword. Until next time, God bless you 426 00:32:48,100 --> 00:32:48,200 all.