[Kolokotronis]

"Fasting is wonderful, because it tramples our sins like a dirty weed, while it cultivates and raises truth like a flower." +John Chrysostomos

[Kolokotronis]

Catholic/Orthodox Caucus Great Lent Fasting ping. I have pinged several Protestant Freepers as I understand that this ascetical practice has gained some currency among them over the past few years.

[NYer]

True fasting is to be converted in heart and will; it is to return to God, to come home like the Prodigal to our Father's house. In the words of St. John Chrysostom, it means 'abstinence not only from food but from sins'. 'The fast', he insists, 'should be kept not by the mouth alone but also by the eye, the ear, the feet, the hands and all the members of the body': the eye must abstain from impure sights, the ear from malicious gossip, the hands from acts of injustice. 6 It is useless to fast from food, protests St. Basil, and yet to indulge in cruel criticism and slander: 'You do not eat meat, but you devour your brother'

A very timely, albeit lengthy, treatise on fasting and abstinence. With Ash Monday on Feb. 19 and Ash Wednesday on Feb. 21, this is an excellent opportunity to reflect on our lives and formulate a plan for Lent.

'You do not eat meat, but you devour your brother'

Wisdom that applies to all liturgical seasons, not just Lent. Thank you for the post and ping!

[Mad Dawg]

All I know is that when I'm fasting, time goes by slowly, while when I'm feasting time is fast.

Go figger.

[Invincibly Ignorant]

The "true" nature of fasting?

That's easy. You want to be like Christ, right? So fast for 40 days and nights.

[narses]

+

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[redhead]

I'm preparing for Great Fast even now, if only in terms of what I purchase at the grocery store. Lots of fish, obviousy. Does "dairy" include eggs? I can't eat bread, so if it does, it's going to mean fish, broccoli/carrots, etc. and more fish. Good thing I live in salmon country...

[TradicalRC]

I have found that practicing the fasting and praying example given us by Christ has gone a long way towards breaking my cycles of repetitive sins.