A time of growth.The seed has been planted,
now it sprouts and grows.
Fasting, praying, acts of love, the practicum of the hidden life in Christ.
All Saints day inaugurates.
Feast of the Holy Apostles concludes.
Mismatch of Old (Julian) and New (Gregorian) calendars often reduces this fast to as few days as one for those on the New calendar.
This year an average year, with the New calendar the fast is about ten days long.
Old calendar is always 13 days longer, so this year the fast is about three weeks long.
Why is the Apostles Fast the least popular?
It is not even announced.
It occurs during summer which is vacation and barbecue time
in the Western world.
It is considered nonessential.
What then of a life of sanctification?
What then of the apostolic life?
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Matthew 6:21 KJV
After the time of growth, then the harvest.
After seed time and planting and growth,
the fields are white for harvest.
The Holy Apostles were sent to gather the harvest.
They were themselves prepared.
And what of their disciples?
“Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.”
Matthew 9:38 KJV
Count me among those who harvest the treasures from your blog! Regarding the Apostles Fast, it reminds me of the lost Catholic tradition of fasting on Fridays, and of the removal of saints' feast days because there were too many. I think, if you decide to follow a specific religion, you really cannot pick and choose what to follow and what to discard. And, if the religion changes before your very eyes, then you have to start wondering about its mission.
ReplyDeleteI notice that you used the KJV in today's post. I have always loved the KJV. Some phrases lose their poetic beauty when translated into modern English. However, sometimes I refer to the NKJV for clarification.
The King James version is still the 'high speech' of the English race, and I can speak it and quote it, when I want to. Yes, it's lovely.
ReplyDeleteThe Orthodox Study Bible is, I believe, the New KJV text. At the moment, I don't have a copy, but I think I will get one soon.