Justin Appel

Dear Friends,

One of today's Scripture lessons, Psalm 109, sets out in stark contrast the ways of 'the wicked' next to the devotion of the psalmist. This contrast is ostensibly a kind of apology, a gesture of self-defense in which the psalmist points to his lifestyle and his decisions, asking God to see this difference and to have mercy on him. For the psalmist, this list includes fasting, a practice which seems to be central to Christian spirituality, and which I need to better understand. So, for this Daily Bread, I would like to set out some quotes by various Christian theologians on fasting. I hope you find these words illuminating and challenging, as I have.

Yours in Christ,
Justin

The goal of fasting is inner unity.
- Thomas Merton

Real fasting, says God to the prophet, is breaking the bonds of injustice and sharing your resources.
- Rowan Williams

Fasting cleanses the soul, raises the mind, subjects one's flesh to the spirit, renders the heart contrite and humble, scatters the clouds of concupiscence, quenches the fire of lust, and kindles the true light of chastity. Enter again into yourself.
- Saint Augustine

[W]ithout the corresponding spiritual effort, without feeding ourselves with Divine Reality, without discovering our total dependence on God and God alone, physical fasting would indeed be suicide. If Christ Himself was tempted while fasting, we have not a single chance of avoiding that temptation.
- Alexander Schmemann

Fasting makes sense if it really chips away at our security and, as a consequence, benefits someone else, if it helps us cultivate the style of the good Samaritan, who bent down to his brother in need and took care of him.
- Pope Francis

True fasting lies in rejecting evil, holding one's tongue, suppressing one's hatred, and banishing one's lust, evil words, lying, and betrayal of vows.
- Saint Basil the Great

I think of the words of the Russian 19th century theologian Alexis Khomiakov, “When anyone falls, he falls alone. But no one is saved alone.” We are saved in the Communion of the Church. Now, that’s true of fasting as of all aspects of the Christian life. No one is saved alone. To be a Christian is to be a member of a family. The Christian is the one who has sisters and brothers. So that applies also to fasting. And it’s much easier to fast if the total community around you is fasting as well.
- Metropolitan Kallistos Ware

Fasting appears gloomy until one steps into its arena. But begin and you will see what light it brings after darkness, what freedom from bonds, what release after a burdensome life.
- Saint Theophan the Recluse

Fasting, prayer, alms, and every good deed done for the sake of Christ is a means to the attainment of the Holy Spirit.
- Saint Seraphim of Sarov

As soon as a Christian recognizes that he has failed in his service, that his readiness has become feeble, and that he has sinned against another's life and become guilty of another's guilt, that all his joy in God has vanished and that his capacity for prayer has quite gone, it is high time for him to launch an assault upon the flesh, and prepare for better service by fasting and prayer...
- Deitrich Bonhoeffer