Fasting and Abstaining
by VP
Posted on Wednesday February 03, 2021 at 12:00AM in Quotes
The honor of fasting consists not in abstinence from food, but in withdrawing from sinful practices.
For let not the mouth only fast but also the eye, and the ear, and the feet, and the hands, and all the members of our bodies. Let the hands fast by being pure from rapine and avarice. Let the feet fast by ceasing to run to unlawful spectacles. let the eyes fast, being taught never to fix themselves rudely upon handsome countenances, or to busy themselves with strange beauties. let the ear fast, refusing to receive evil speakings and calumnies. Let the mouth, too fast from disgraceful speeches and railings. For what doth it profit if we abstain from birds and fishes; and yet bite and devour our brethren?
What advantage shall we gain by abstinence from meats, if we do not also expel the evil habits of the soul.
St. Chrysostom
