The Power of Fasting This

The Power of Fasting (Part 2) This same scholar told us that we should follow what is prescribed in the scriptures during fasting and warned us not to eat anything other than bread and water on the day of our fasting. He also emphasized that during our fasting, we should give the money that we would have spent on food during the day to those who have lost their spouses, parents, or those who are in need. In doing so, we make our conscience work with humility and compassion, and those in need pray for us. If we fast in this way, our fasting will be accepted as a sacrifice. He explained to us how we should fast and the benefits we can gain from fasting. To think that we are fasting just because we are not eating food is to misunderstand fasting. We should fast with a pure heart by performing acts of kindness, realizing that we are not gaining anything by merely abstaining from food. As a result of fasting, we receive a beautiful heavenly reward for the good deeds we do for the needy and hungry. Many people fast without believing and understanding that fasting is powerful, so they do not benefit from fasting. It is sad to see them pretending to fast to be seen and respected by others, when they should be more humble in their fasting. Fasting is a great heavenly power, a spiritual medicine that cures the diseases of sin and evil. If a person who is far away from God due to the weakness of their behavior believes in the purity of fasting and uses it to overcome their problems, it is a perfect cure. St. Ambrose of Milan says: Fasting is heavenly in its definition. Fasting is spiritual food for the growth of the soul. Fasting is an angelic life. Fasting is the death of sin, the solution of salvation, the source of grace, and the foundation of purity. Through fasting, we draw closer to God because it is spiritual and heavenly, and we become like heavenly angels. For the food of the soul's goodness is the source of its purity. Our soul craves fasting like bread. Fasting is not only to draw closer to God but also to make God draw closer to us in His mercy. It is the heavenly weapon of true Christians. Pope Clement says: "Through your prayers, fasting, regular watchfulness, and other good works, overcome the flesh with the power of the Holy Spirit." The will of the flesh is evil in itself, and we do not condemn it, but it is the sinful tendency that our soul merges with our body. The will of the flesh refers to the tendency of human beings to sin, and the will of the soul refers to our tendency to do good deeds. Unlike the Gnostics, the church does not observe that the body is impure, and the soul is holy. If we consider powerful fasting as an asset before we die, we can conquer our sinful tendencies. In the story of the fathers of Bereh, Aba Esdros said, "If you fast all the time, you will not be full of pride. If you think you are superior because of fasting, it is better for you to eat meat than to do this. It is better to eat meat than to fill yourself with pride and self-respect." We are special because of our fasting, but we should not think about ourselves. Our fasting should not be a reason for pride, but a source of humility. Mar Isaac said, "Fasting is the beginning of all the work of legacy. It inspires us with the power of fasting by saying that fasting is the glory of purity, the ornament of virginity and purity, and the beginning of the work of the gospel. Fasting is the mother of prayer, the repository of pearls. She inspires every good work. Conversely, a person who breaks their fast has distanced themselves from all good deeds. We can understand from this the extent of the damage caused by not fasting. Let us understand that our Holy Church arms her children with this spiritual power when she encourages us to fast through her seven proclamations. (Continued) May the blessings of the Holy Mother of God, the Virgin, and the Cross be upon us. Amen. © John's Repentance Reach out to us on our social media platforms and share it with your friends: https://linktr.ee/johnsrepentance