Saturday before Cheesefare; Our Holy Father Leo, Pope of Rome (461)
Romans 14:19-26; Galatians 5:22-6:2; Matthew 6:1-13; Matthew 11:27-30.
Read Romans 14:19-26
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
As we approach the threshold of the Fast, brothers and sisters, the Church, through our reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Romans, reminds us of the corporate nature of fasting. What we eat and under what circumstances does send a message in the same way that what we with our bodies (which are ‘us’) speaks a language. It is not something strictly personal.
St. Paul reminds his readers to begin with peace and welcome, establishing a rapport with those we welcome into our assembly to build a foundation of trust. We must also be aware of the message that we send in eating the food that we eat. Although clean in relation to the Old Testament dietary law, eating it may prove a scandal to those looking in. We have a moral obligation to be on guard for the faith of our brothers and sisters.
As we prepare to enter the Fast ourselves, let us take St. Paul’s lesson to heart and maintain our discipline in love as we prepare for Pascha.