Thursday, March 02, 2006

eyes, ears, feet and hands...not cookies

St. John Chrysostom - words concerning holy living and the fasts that we observe to help make us more holy:

"Do you fast? Give me proof of it by your works.
If you see a poor man, take pity on him.
If you see a friend being honoured, do not envy her.

Do not let only your mouth 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 free of avarice.
Let the feet fast, by ceasing to run after sin.
Let the eyes fast, by discipling them not to glare at that which is sinful.
Let the ear fast, by not listening to evil talk and gossip.
Let the mouth fast from foul words and unjust criticism.

For what good is it if we abstain from birds and fishes, but bite and
devour our brothers and sisters?

May He who came to the world to save sinners, strengthen us to
complete the fast with humility, have mercy on us and save us."

2 Comments:

Blogger bobbie said...

this is like granola for the soul. i will be chewing on this for some time. thank you lisa.

4:02 a.m.  
Blogger Constance said...

'Devouring our brothers and sisters'. There's food for thought. This post is a keeper, Lisa. I'm chewing with Bobbie.

7:16 p.m.  

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