Seasons of the Soul: Quinguagesima & Forgiveness

The Expulsion of Adam and Eve

To-day, in the Western Tradition, is Quinquagesima Sunday. Quinquagesima has fallen out of remembrance somewhat so let us refresh our liturgical memories. To-day, in the Eastern Tradition, is Cheesefare Sunday or Forgiveness Sunday. For the Orthodox, this is the last day you can eat cheese (and other foods) before the Lenten fasting begins, which will last some 7 weeks. Observant Greeks observe a more or less vegan diet during Lent, abstaining from meat, dairy, olive oil and alcohol.

The Western Tradition has gone soft. The East holds fast - an example to us all. Miss Eagle believes in marking the seasons through the liturgical year. It brings focus and liveliness to the spiritual journey. Now Miss Eagle is not going to emulate the Greek practice above but she will see what she can do. Miss E is a creature of her culture too and the West does not support these types of practices as it did in Miss E's girlhood. Rationalism has taken over not only society but the church too. Laziness and ignorance is abroad.

This is why many of us look to the Desert. Yes, we are part of the soft Western Tradition. We too are part of the problem. But we seek. Who do we go out into the Desert to see?