To forgive in order to enter the fast in peace.

In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit! Glory to Jesus Christ!

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, another Sunday of the church calendar prepares us for Holy Great Lent – a special time of purification, repentance, and spiritual growth. We hear a call for mutual reconciliation through forgiveness. The Sunday of Cheesefare or Forgiveness Sunday, as we often call it, is our last stop for deeper reflection, so that, free from debt, we enter this holy time of repentance, the path of our purification, and take another step on the road to salvation.

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Fasting is a great gift for a person, which strengthens him in the spiritual struggle, helps him to grow spiritually, and gives him an opportunity to beg God for great favors, and atone for his sins; it is work and sometimes it is hard. In this spiritual struggle, let us compete with humility and endurance, rely on God, and protect ourselves with a prayer from failures and temptations.

Fasting is a common cause because one is not a warrior in the field. At this time, all of us, together with the whole church, will walk the path of repentance, which is a great support for us, because our relatives, friends, brothers, and sisters in Christ are fasting. Let us be attentive to each other in this special time, helping and supporting in this spiritual struggle and works of mercy. The enemy will hinder us because he is afraid of fasting and prayer, but let’s be ready for this! And even if we fall somewhere, let’s get up as soon as possible and continue to adhere to our resolutions! After all, every day lived is a day lived in Holy Lent. God accepts the sacrifice both from us personally and from the whole church because the grace of God overshadows everyone.

Reconciliation through forgiveness: at the beginning of Great Lent, let’s ask each other so that, reconciled, we can pray in peace, offer sacrifices of abstinence, and do works of mercy. Only a pure heart with joy and ease can endure its resolutions before God, which it will secretly express to Him in prayer. Jesus said: “When you stand to pray, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance, so that your heavenly Father may in turn forgive you your transgressions.” (Mr. 11:25) Help us all in this, God! Amen.