Contents
The light of the body
This is Sunday of the treasures in the week of preparation and the beginning of the holy Lent. From the next day and until Friday before Passion week, the end of the 40-day fast.
“If your eye is evil, your whole body will be in darkness” (Matthew 6:23).
What is an evil eye? There are many types of them:
- The eye of impure lust: the eye of Eve, the eye of Esau, the eye of Samson, the eye of Herod.
- A covetous materialistic eye: the eye of Lot, the eye of Ahab.
- A selfish, hateful eye: Saul’s eye against David, the Jews’ eye against Christ.
- The eye of a critical judgmental people: The eye of Judas against the pourer of perfume – The eye of Simeon against the sinful woman.
- A cruel and merciless eye: the eye of the rich against Lazarus, the eye of the priest and the Levite in the parable of the Samaritan.
- Incorrect and reckless eye: the eye of the foolish rich, the eye of the dislocated.
Each person has a spiritual device that helps him in his spiritual life. It consists of three organs: the eye, the ear, and the heart.The opportunity for fasting is to repair and maintain these vital organs.
Take care of your eyes, because they are the lamp of the body and the gateway to a life of light or darkness.
God first
On the first Sunday of fasting, you have an important question:Is God first in your life? Is he the leader of your thoughts, words and actions?The question is important for everyone who strives in the spiritual path, keeping in mind the Kingdom of Heaven.This truth “God first” may be lost in the midst of human life because of the following reasons:
- Because of a treasure that occupies you on earth, such as: the aspirations of the lust of the eyes: such as fame, power, beauty, etc….
- Because of a master who owns you on earth, such as: worshipping money-wealth, etc…
- Because of an interest that consumes you in the world, such as: What do we eat? – What do we drink? – What do we wear? Etc…
The journey of fasting – in order for it to be fruitful, requires a review and a pause with oneself to correct every flaw in it through:
- Obedience to the commandment always: in the sense that God comes first and His holy word is before me every day.
- The deeds of mercy and serving others with love in order to get rid of selfishness and self-love.
- Purity of heart through renewed and continuous repentance, so that I can see God (Matthew 8:5).
With these three tools, my treasure will be in heaven.
Reference: Coptic Orthodox Mangaleya Book – Page 295 – by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II