The day before the Nativity Fast begins, we celebrate the feast of St. Philip. In fact, in Russian, the coming fast is commonly called Saint Philip’s Fast. In today’s Gospel reading, we hear that Jesus went forth to find Philip, telling him, “Follow me” (Jn. 1:43). This same Gospel is read on the first Sunday of Lent. In other words, Christ’s words to St. Philip—“Follow me”—stand at the beginning of both of the Church’s great fasting seasons. The Lord is telling us: “Follow me in self-denial. Follow me in my humility, in my becoming a little child for the salvation of world.” And, in the case of Lent: “Follow me through the desert. Follow me to the pillar, the scourge, the mockery, the crown of the thorns. Follow me to the Cross.” And, if we follow him through the fasts, then we arrive with him at the feast: a child is born from the Virgin’s womb; the tomb is empty though it remained sealed; new life and resurrection are come into the world. May this pattern of fasts and feasts become the very pattern of our life, now and eternally. Let us deny ourselves here in this passing world so that we may delight in eternal good things there, in the future age.
Home / Work of the Church / Reflections in Christ / Metropolitan Tikhon /