Veg-Tuh-Bulls & Pure Monday

Yesterday was a beautiful day. The little ones behaved well enough for me to stay in church during the Divine Liturgy. It was "International Women's Day," so the children put on a program of poems and songs for the mothers in the congregation. My big girls each wrote me a poem about what a great mom I am. (one example: Mother, I love so/ More than words can tell/ Your love blossoms so/ like the flowers by the well/ If possible to be a princess yonder/ I'd rather be your little daughter) The men of the church made the women a beautiful luncheon including mimosas and roses to take home. Just lovely! EXCEPT... before Liturgy, I was alone with the little children while the big girls were in catechism class. Baby girl was in her carseat with the van stopped in the parking lot. Then, with no warning, she threw up her morning bottle of milk. Time to embrace the humility (and humiliation) that Christ is calling for during the fasting season! Baby girl was dressed in a poufy princess dress, but I certainly couldn't smell the baby shampoo from her morning bath. And I have a feeling that no one could smell my perfume even though no one was impolite enough to point out that smell...

Sitting in church with the horrid smell still emanating around my sweet girl, I tried to focus on the readings; Forgiveness Sunday has some great ones! The Eastern rites have some strict guidelines about fasting and life in general. We are asked to confess our sins to the priest; our Liturgy is long, involved and serious. I like it that way- but really reading the following epistle- the truth it speaks to me is that I am not the judge. God, merciful and loving, is the judge. So while we may know what is best, we should guard our hearts and not lose graces by judging others.

"Salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Master is able to make him stand." Romans 13:11- 14:4

FYI- dinner for Pure Monday was marinara pasta (with extra onions, sweet peppers, black olives and mushrooms) and a green salad- I need to get some quick vegan meal plans that incorporate protein with no soy...