Среда

(1 Cor. 7, 12–24; Matt. 14:35–15:11) “It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person; but what comes out of the mouth defiles a person” (Matthew 15:11). The Lord said this not because He did not favor fasting or considered it not necessary for us - no, He Himself fasted, and taught this to the apostles, and the saint established fasts in His Church, but said this so that, while fasting, we would not limit ourselves to malnutrition or dry eating, but would also take care to keep our soul in fasting, not indulging its wishes and passionate desires. And this is the main thing. Fasting serves as a powerful means for this. The basis of passions is in the flesh; when the flesh is exhausted, then it is as if a tunnel has been laid under the passions and their fortress is crumbling. Without fasting, overcoming passions would be a miracle, similar to being on fire and not getting burned. For someone who lavishly satisfies his flesh with food, sleep and rest, how can he keep anything spiritual in his attention and intentions? To renounce the earth and enter into the contemplation of invisible things and the desire for them is as convenient for him as for a decrepit bird to rise from the ground. You might be interested in: