The Sunday of Saint Gregory Palamas

It is the second Sunday of Great Lent and we are commemerating a saint whose feast day is actually on November 14th. Can you say what?!?

St. Gregory serves as a witness that man can participate in the uncreated light of God's glory while here on earth through prayer and fasting. He is an example that our struggle with fasting and prayer is not futile. This is an especially pertinent lesson at this time as we currently struggle with maintaining the great fast. And the great fast does not, should not, consist merely of abstaining from foods, but we should be fasting unto prayer. For a more detailed explanation of reasons why St. Gregory is commemorated on this day, check out this.

Readings: Hebrews 1:10-2:3; Mark 2:1-12

For the little ones: Get a large jar or box (can be a shoebox, an old mayonaisse jar, etc.) Have the kids decorate the jar or box. This is your special Lent jar. In this jar, you will put money you are saving through fasting. To make sure you remember this aspect of fasting, pick an evening each week during Lent and have rice for dinner. Add some nutrition for the sake of the little ones and pregnant mommas (like lentils or tofu), but keep the meal cheap and simple. At the end of each meal, give each member of the family a dollar or so and have each person stick their dollar into your Lent jar. Decide as a family how you would like to use the money at the end of Lent.