Проповедь в Неделю пятую Великого поста

The commandment to fast is a commandment to live. Fasting was commanded by God to Adam so that he would preserve the Divine grace that was given to him by God. Intemperance is one of the causes of death of body and soul. So, is there really a person who does not want to receive life and grace from God? The Lord shows us the way of victory over corruption. By fasting and abstaining in everything, He defeated the tempter. So, brothers, you should know which fast is godly and true. Physical fasting in itself has no value; it is praiseworthy only when it serves as a means to mental benefit. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that bodily exercise is of little benefit (cf. Tim. 4:8). The God-bearing Fathers, who speak from their own experience, do not recommend complete abstinence from food for many days in a row. They believe that it is healthier to eat food once a day when fasting and not to get enough. It is very useful to put aside a plate of food when you are not yet full. Of course, everyone has their own mental disposition and physical strength. Therefore, the quality and quantity of food should be consistent with the strength of each person. Indeed, if a weak person eats food that allows him to maintain strength, this is blameless. Of course, in this case he needs to be careful not to add excess to what is necessary. To seek food and not pleasure, drink and not intoxication, reasonable use and not abuse - all this does not harm holiness. This is the beginning of a true and godly fast. The purpose for which fasting is established and revered in the Christian Church is the purification of the soul. During Lent, one must attach special importance to the exercise of philanthropy. If you are wealthy, give your excess as a consolation to those who are hungry. Thus, by fasting, you will suffer together with Christ in order to be resurrected with Him. If, while fasting, you eat with abstinence, do not leave yourself any excess. You are hungry by your own will - feed the one who is hungry by the will of circumstances. Then your fast will be like a dove that carries an olive branch in its beak and preaches good news. Don't want to give away yours? At least refrain from taking what belongs to others. Don’t be a predator, don’t get rich at the expense of those who are poorer than you, while violating the laws of justice. Predatory and unjust people, out of shame, will not be able to stand before the face of Christ. A rich man is condemned not only when he behaved unfairly towards someone, but even when he did not share with his neighbor what he earned fairly. After all, wealth belongs to all people, it stems from the common treasuries that belong to God. How can one who appropriates for himself what belongs to everyone not be considered covetous, even if he does not clearly snatch from the hands of other people what belongs to them? Those who loved the poverty of Christ, or at least loved the poor, preferring for themselves abstinence and contentment with little, are the doers of the Gospel commandments. After all, Christ asked His Father to give us the grace of unity. “Grant to them that they may all be one, just as We are” (Compare John 17:11), He said. Therefore, those who did not distribute what belonged to them as common to all those in need, who did not make those who are far away their neighbors, cannot be considered true children of God. Everything should instill fear in us. Let us make our lives such that they become pleasing to God. The Lord Himself became poor for our sake, so it is necessary that each of us let the poverty of Christ into our lives... Let's learn to love people. The most suitable time for this is the current days of Lent. Let us combine fasting with compassion, and in doing so, let us worship the saving Passion of Christ, so that together with Him we may rejoice in His Resurrection and receive eternal salvation.