Page 52 - AlNashra issue 2 - 2023

51 Issue 2 - 2023

the piece we cited as an example: Adam, who spoke to the Creator, and he heard the voice of
violated God’s commandment by eating the the invisible God. In Thy love for man, O Lord,
forbidden fruit, and Moses, who cleansed his grant us with the same boldness to venerate Thy
soul’s eyes by fasting and deserved the vision Passion and Thy Holy Resurrection.” In this
of God. We shall also pay attention to the two piece as well, the chanter links fasting directly
descriptions that the author attributes to us, as to the resurrection, which is essentially fasting!
he describes us as the ones who “long to dwell It is the deep conviction that the Lord has loved
in Paradise” and “those who desire to see God.” us so much that He died for us on the cross,
From these two characteristics, we learn that it which, after being a symbol of shame and an
does not suffice for the believer to be “a good instrument of curse - “...it is written: “Cursed
human being” or “Adami” as they say, of good is everyone who is hung on a pole” (Galatians
behavior and morals. Being a Christian is much 3:13) has become a symbol of salvation because
more demanding; it is much deeper than simply of Him Who was hung, died, and risen from
having good morals, which, undoubtedly, are the dead. As a result, we said – and continue
similarly important and necessary but are not to say – that fasting is a journey of light, and as
sufficient. Morals must be supplemented by the a result, we will continue to walk in the light,
longing for a paradise dwelling and the desire in obedience to Him Who said, “Walk while
to see God. The longings and desires call for, there is light, lest darkness overtake you”(John
as the hymn says, “perseverance in prayer and 12:35). Indeed, we will continue to walk in the
supplication with pure resolve” to quell the light, because we, too, love Him Who has loved
passions of the soul and drive away bodily pains us and bought us with His precious blood on
in order to lightly ascend towards the Most High the cross. How can one of us express one’s love
King, where the orders of angels praise the Holy for the crucified unless one becomes like Him,
Trinity. Likewise, at the Matins of the Cheesefare that is, another Christ who walks the path of His
Sunday, we pray: “The time is now at hand for Calvary that leads to the cross, and to the light
us to start upon the spiritual contest and to gain of the resurrection? Was not Christ like this? Or
the victory over the demonic powers. Let us put should I restate, “Is this not Christ’s case”? And
on the armor of abstinence and clothe ourselves do I identify with Him?
in the glory of the angels. With boldness Moses In this context, I am reminded of a Greek story