HOMILY 8 #

On Cheesefare Sunday, a Teaching of John Chrysostom on the Holy Fast

Brothers, listen with understanding and discernment concerning this holy fast. For the prophet speaks about fasting: “In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee.” Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, the day of salvation draws near—the holy and great, honorable fast, prefigured by God, into which we should enter, cleansing our souls and bodies from all evil.

For these days are a time of purification: from strife and anger, from lies and slander, from envy and theft, from judgment and drunkenness, from fornication and gluttony. Having cast aside all these evil deeds, brothers, let us embrace true repentance, that we may draw near to God with frequent prayers, with tears and with almsgiving. Let us wash away our sins, not seeking praise from people for our fasting, but offering it to God, who knows all things.

For this fast is the tithe of the whole year—let us at least render this portion to God. But if we indulge in much eating and drinking, if we persist in strife, disputes, anger, and all other wickedness, how then can we obtain the remission of our sins? Yet do we not hear what the Evangelist says? The Lord said: “If ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you your trespasses.” This is a profound and fearful word, for He places the power in our own hands: “If ye forgive, ye shall be forgiven; if ye show mercy, ye shall obtain mercy; judge not, and ye shall not be judged.”

God has made you, O man, master over yourself—to be justified or condemned according to your will. And when you fast, do not be of a sad countenance, like the hypocrites, and do not judge anyone, for many sin openly, yet repent greatly in secret. And you, beloved, when fasting, take heed to yourself and keep only your own sins in mind. Do not despair, but wash your face, that you may not appear to people to be fasting. And when you give alms, do not do so before others, lest you lose your reward through vanity.

Let us therefore prepare, brothers, to receive the holy and honorable fast. For just as one who desires to hold a noble wedding first prepares his house and adorns all things within it honorably, so also let us prepare ourselves to receive the fast with joy, and not grieve in sorrow, that having in this short time cleansed ourselves from sin, we may appear pure in the life to come.

But if anyone among us does not prepare in this life to be cleansed through repentance, fasting, and almsgiving, he will be cast out, like the one who wore defiled garments and was bound hand and foot. There, no one will be able to help another, but all will stand equally before the righteous Judge—kings and princes, the rich and the poor, the free and the servants, and each will receive according to their deeds.

Therefore, let us strive, brothers, to fulfill what God has commanded us. It is not difficult to overcome anger and envy; it is no great labor to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and receive the stranger. For the Lord Himself said: “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” He Himself came down from heaven to earth and clothed Himself in poverty, desiring to lead back into the first Kingdom those who had fled from Him through intemperance. Against the sickness of sin, He has given a remedy—this holy and great fast.

Moses was the first to fast for forty days, and for this, he spoke with God face to face, and his face shone with the glory of God like the sun, so that no one could look upon him. Elijah also fasted for forty days, and to this day he is alive, having been taken up into heaven in a chariot of fire. Many others likewise fasted and accomplished great wonders. But last of all, the Lord our God Himself fasted forty days, giving us an example of fasting, granting us victory over the enemy, and showing how we may cleanse our souls and bodies.

So let us also, brothers, strive to imitate the saints through fasting, prayer, and purity. For fasting purifies the body, saves the soul, and leads it to heaven. Christ does not desire the death of a sinner, but rather our salvation, as He teaches us, saying: “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” That is, give what is beyond your needs to those who lack, and consider it as if you have stored it in heaven.

Let us therefore follow the example of the saints, who attained salvation through fasting and good works. By these, the Lord our God will judge us, saying: “These fasted and did righteousness—why did you not do the same?” May we never hear such words, brothers! But rather, may we hear the voice of the Lord, saying: “Come, ye blessed of my Father! Come, children of the Light, who hungered and thirsted for my sake. Come, inherit the Kingdom of Heaven prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

To our God be glory, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.