God Be With You – Last Judgment (Meat Fare) Sunday

Today marks the last day Eastern Christians can have meat until after Easter.  We’ve already begun our preparations in the pantry.  The only meat we have in the house will be consumed today.  The rest of this week we will dine on dairy.  The following week, no meat, no dairy.  Next shopping trip at the end of the week, I will acquire a little bit of meat for the kids.  “Oh meat, how we love you.  But out faith in God transcends you.  See you on the other side of Great Fast.”

(Last Great Fast I did not give up coffeemate in my coffee.  Our priest always tells us it’s not the quantity of the fast but the quality.  So every time I fail at giving up coffee creamer I remember what he said and say extra prayers.  But, I will do my best at giving up creamer this year. I have every intention of doing this.  Hopefully saying this aloud will keep me honest. OH GOD, BE MERCIFUL TO ME A SINNER).

Matthew 25:31-46 - "When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. Then the King will say to those at his right hand, `Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?' And the King will answer them, `Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those at his left hand, `Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, `Lord, when did we see thee hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to thee?' Then he will answer them, `Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.' And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."