Preparation Sunday Preparation Sunday Pre– A Journey Toward the Holy Lent

In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, One God. Amen.
May the blessing of the Father who calls us and His Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ who saves us, and the Holy Spirit who sanctifies and transforms us be with us all, that we may hear His word and bear fruit—thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold. Amen.

Today, the Church prepares her children for the sacred path ahead—the path of repentance, humility, and renewal. This is Preparation Sunday, the doorway into the Holy and Great Fast.

As a loving mother, the Church lifts our minds above the earthly and invites us to a journey, not of the body but of the soul. She sets before us the pillars upon which our journey must stand: Charitable Giving, Prayer, and Fasting—drawn from today’s Gospel reading (Matthew 6:1–18).

Let us walk this path with understanding and discernment, for these three are not merely acts—they are offerings to God and must be offered in spirit and truth.

I. Charitable Giving – A Sacrifice of Love

The Lord commands us to give in secret:

“But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:3–4)

The spiritual conditions of acceptable giving are as follows:

1. In Secret – Let giving be hidden from men and open before God.

2. According to One’s Ability –

“Then you shall keep the Feast of Weeks… which you shall give as the Lord your God blesses you.” (Deuteronomy 16:10)

3. Willingly –

“From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering.” (Exodus 25:2)

4. With Joy –

“God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)

5. With Generosity –

“Ready to give, willing to share… laying hold on eternal life.” (1 Timothy 6:17–19)

The Macedonian believers offer us a perfect icon of giving:

“…that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.”

“…they were freely willing… they first gave themselves to the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 8:1–5)

Let us give from our wallets and hearts—first, giving ourselves to the Lord.

II. Prayer – A Living Communion with God

The Lord taught us:

“But you, when you pray, go into your room… and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:6)

Prayer, dear beloved, must be:

1. In Secret – Personal and intimate, like a child speaking with his Father.

2. In the Family –

“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

3. In the Assembly –

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together…” (Hebrews 10:25)

4. In the Spirit –

“Praying always… in the Spirit.” (Ephesians 6:18; Jude 1:20)

5. In Faith –

“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting…” (James 1:6)

“Whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” (Matthew 21:22)

6. With Forgiveness –

“If you have anything against anyone, forgive him…” (Mark 11:25)

7. With the Heart –

“You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)

8. With Humility –

“He who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14)

9. With Persistence –

“I will not let You go unless You bless me!” (Genesis 32:26)

“Shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him?” (Luke 18:7)

10. At All Times –

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication…” (Ephesians 6:18)

Prayer is not mere speech—the incense of love rising from a heart that longs for union with God.

III. Fasting – A Spiritual Offering of the Whole Self

Some believe fasting is merely a change in food. But the prophet Daniel shows us otherwise:

“I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine… nor did I anoint myself at all.” (Daniel 10:2–3)

Fasting is:

• The humbling of the body, so the soul may rise.

• A rejection of pleasure to gain spiritual freedom.

• A longing for God, expressed through bodily discipline.

The saints fasted with brokenness, confession, and prayer:

“They fasted that day, and said… ‘We have sinned against the Lord.’” (1 Samuel 7:6)

“So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer.” (Ezra 8:23)

“Did you really fast for Me—for Me?” (Zechariah 7:5)

Fasting must be:

1. Accompanied by Confession – (Nehemiah 9:1–2)

2. Accompanied by Prayer – (Daniel 9:3)

3. Offered to God – (Zechariah 7:5)

4. Accompanied by Compassion –

“Is this not the fast that I have chosen… to share your bread with the hungry?” (Isaiah 58:6–7)

5. Practiced in Church Life – (Acts 13:2–3)

6. Free of Hypocrisy –

“When you fast, do not be like the hypocrites…” (Matthew 6:16)

A Closing Supplication

O Lord Jesus Christ,

Teach us how to give, that we may serve You through the least of Your brethren.

Teach us how to pray, that our hearts may be lifted to Your throne in sincerity and love.

Teach us how to fast—not just from food, but from sin, distraction, and selfishness.

Let our Lent be a sweet offering, a fragrant incense, and a time of renewal. And our fasting gives us the spiritual taste of heaven even while we walk on the earth.

May the Lord bless us, transform our hearts and minds, that our homes may stand on the Rock, our hands serve in the harvest, and our hearts long for Heaven. Amen.