Meatfare Sunday: Preparing for Lent Through Reflection and Mercy

As we approach Great Lent, the Church offers gentle guideposts to prepare both heart and body. One of these is Meatfare Sunday, sometimes called the Sunday of the Last Judgment, which falls one week before Cheesefare (Forgiveness) Sunday in the Byzantine tradition of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. This Sunday invites us to pause, reflect, and begin our Lenten journey with intention and awareness.

🥩 The Last Day for Meat

Meatfare Sunday gets its name because it is the last Sunday on which meat is traditionally eaten before the stricter fasting of Great Lent begins. From the following Monday onward, meat is avoided, but dairy and eggs are still allowed until Cheesefare Sunday.

This gradual reduction in dietary indulgences helps both the body and the soul prepare for the upcoming fast. It reminds us that Lent is not simply about food, but about forming the heart to receive God’s grace: “to recognize our sins, confess them, and perform works of mercy.”

đź“– Spiritual Focus: Reflection on the Last Judgment

The liturgical readings for Meatfare Sunday, particularly the Gospel of Matthew 25:31–46, emphasize the final judgment of humanity. Christ teaches that our deeds—especially acts of mercy and love—will be the measure by which we are judged:

“As you did to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it … [or] did not do it to me” (Mt 25:40-45).

This lesson encourages us to examine our lives:

  • How do we care for the poor and the needy?

  • Are we merciful, compassionate, and humble in our daily interactions?

  • Do our actions align with the love of Christ?

Meatfare Sunday asks us to take responsibility for our spiritual lives and to begin our Lenten journey with awareness, mercy, and compassion.

🌑 Meatfare Saturday: Remembering the Departed

Linked to Meatfare Sunday is Meatfare Saturday, one of the All Souls Saturdays, when the faithful remember the deceased—our “fathers and brothers”—and pray for their souls. Historically and today, this connection reminds us that repentance, mercy, and prayer extend beyond ourselves, fostering both personal and communal spiritual growth.

🌿 Historical and Contemporary Significance

Historically, Meatfare Sunday marked the start of a gradual fasting process, easing the faithful into the rigor of Great Lent: first meat was eliminated, then dairy, culminating in the stricter fast beginning on Clean Monday.

Today, Meatfare Sunday continues to serve multiple purposes:

  • Spiritual preparation: A time to examine life, deeds, and relationships.

  • Lenten rhythm: Marks the practical start of abstinence from meat.

  • Moral and communal teaching: Encourages acts of mercy, reflection on judgment, and care for others.

  • Connection to the departed: Through Meatfare Saturday, we integrate prayer and remembrance into our Lenten preparation.

đź’› Why Meatfare Sunday Matters

Meatfare Sunday is not just about giving up meat. It is about:

  • Reflection: Considering how we live in light of Christ’s teachings.

  • Preparation: Beginning to regulate the body through fasting as a spiritual practice.

  • Compassion: Focusing on mercy, love, and care for our neighbors.

  • Community: Joining together in prayer, remembrance, and shared observance.

It is a bridge from ordinary life into Lent, helping us step deliberately into a season of repentance, prayer, and transformation.

🌿 Walking Forward

As we enjoy this final day of meat, let us also nourish our souls: reflect on our deeds, practice mercy, and prepare for the deeper fast to come. Meatfare Sunday reminds us that Lent begins in the heart first, guiding our journey toward the joy and renewal of Pascha.

Practical reflection for today: Consider reaching out to someone in need, offer a kind word, or pray for someone departed. Let your acts of mercy mirror Christ’s love as you enter this holy season.

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