{"id":190325,"date":"2018-03-20T13:53:37","date_gmt":"2018-03-20T11:53:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/basilica.ro\/?p=190325"},"modified":"2018-03-20T13:57:43","modified_gmt":"2018-03-20T11:57:43","slug":"prayer-and-fast-change-physical-hunger-and-thirst-into-spiritual-hunger-and-thirst-for-gods-love-patriarch-daniel-says","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arhiva.basilica.ro\/en\/prayer-and-fast-change-physical-hunger-and-thirst-into-spiritual-hunger-and-thirst-for-gods-love-patriarch-daniel-says\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Prayer and fast change physical hunger and thirst into spiritual hunger and thirst for God\u2019s love\u2019, Patriarch Daniel says"},"content":{"rendered":"

During his homily delivered on the fourth Sunday of Great Lent at the Chapel of the National Cathedral, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel said that \u2018prayer united with fasting changes man\u2019s physical hunger and thirst into a spiritual hunger and thirst for the love of God.\u2019<\/h4>\n

The Patriarch of Romania offered his reflections on the day\u2019s gospel reading noting that the passage was ordained by the Church to be proclaimed during Great Lent \u2018in order to strengthen us in our faith and in the fight against sin, selfish passions, and evil spirits.\u2019<\/p>\n

Christ heals doubt, sickness, spiritual ignorance<\/h4>\n

The Gospel relates three major works of Christ. \u2018He healed the doubt of the sick boy\u2019s father; He healed the boy of his infirmity freeing him from the impure spirit; He healed his disciples of spiritual ignorance regarding casting out demons from people,\u2019 the Patriarch added.<\/p>\n

The father of the possessed boy asked Lord Jesus Christ to heal his son, but he had a weak faith and a feeble hope. In a \u2018prompt, repellent, and yet encouraging way,\u2019 the Saviour replied that \u2018everything is possible for one who believes.\u2019 (Mark 9:23)<\/p>\n

\u2018Even when reproaching people with a weak faith, Jesus still remained in a state of love with the suffering,\u2019 His Beatitude noted.<\/p>\n

Help me overcome my unbelief<\/h4>\n

The words \u2018I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief, show that the father strengthened his faith, and that he humbled himself.\u2019<\/p>\n

The Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church reflected on the link between fast and prayer, noting that they are needed when \u2018we ask demons to come out of people.\u2019<\/p>\n

The healing of the possessed boy happened not for Christ\u2019s self-recognition but in order to strengthen the people, thus showing his \u2018merciful, healing love.\u2019<\/p>\n

A symbol of parents watching over sick children<\/h4>\n

Because the mute spirit did not let the boy speak, the father became \u2018the voice of the suffering boy who could not express himself.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018We see the father\u2019s care to bring his child to Christ for healing. This father is the symbol of all parents who watch over their sick children. After using all medications or the attempts made by doctors, they realize that the only hope of healing is God\u2019s help, and thus they draw close to Christ, the Physician of our bodies and souls. But if they faithfully and prayerfully approach to Christ they receive His help,\u2019 the Patriarch added.<\/p>\n

Lenten season recommendations<\/h4>\n

Reflecting on the gospel reading, Patriarch Daniel made some recommendations for the Lenten season. In order to strengthen our faith, Patriarch Daniel urged for \u2018the reading of Holy Scripture and the writings of Saints,\u2019 for a more intense church attendance, and for almsgiving.<\/p>\n

Since on Sunday the Church commemorated Saint John Climacus, the Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church spoke about the saint’s life and encouraged everyone to ask that through his intercessions \u2018we may feel how great the power of prayer, fasting and repentance is, and to continue the spiritual ascent to the Holy Pascha.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018There is a constant struggle\u2019<\/h4>\n

At the end of his homily, Patriarch Daniel appreciated the activities carried out at the National Cathedral\u2019s Chapel, where \u2018there is a constant struggle\u2019 through the divine services officiated there, and through the social programs carried out by the Chapel\u2019s volunteers.<\/p>\n

The patriarch recalled the following programs: \u2018Give blood. Save life!\u2019, \u2018Health for villages\u2019, \u2018Health Prevention and Education\u2019, and \u2018Cervical Cancer Prevention and Detection\u2019 Campaigns.<\/p>\n

Patriarch Daniel noted that \u2018the National Cathedral is being spiritually built through prayer and merciful love shown towards our neighbours\u2019 at the same time as it is actually built near the Chapel.<\/p>\n

The Chapel points to \u2018the link between social and spiritual, between prayer and the power of good deed, because through prayer we receive Christ\u2019s merciful, humble love that we show to our neighbours through good deeds.\u2019<\/p>\n