For my friends continuing the pre Easter fast today, Saturday: I pray joy for you, for keener spiritual insight into parts of your life, and perhaps a sublime glimpse of God in your inner vision. Here are few more teachings on fasting from some early church Fathers.
"To eat and drink with thanksgiving to God all that is served up or prepared for one is not in any way opposed to the rule of knowledge. For 'everything is very good' (Genesis 1:31). But voluntarily to abstain from what is agreeable and abundant is a sign of great discernment and higher knowledge. We do not readily despise the delights of this life if we do not taste with complete satisfaction the sweetness of God." - Diadochus of Photike
"Abba Pambo asked Abba Anthony, 'What ought I to do?' The old man told him, 'Do not put any trust in your righteousness, do not worry about the past, keep a tight rein on your tongue and your belly.'". - Sayings of the Desert Fathers
"If you fast, but fail to keep watch over your mouth so as to refrain from evil speaking and angry words, from lying and perjury; if you slander your neighbor, even if the words come from the mouth of one who is fasting, your fast will be of no avail and will be labor lost.". -Athanasius of Alexandria
"What is the use of keeping a fast for forty days without considering the meaning of it?... So, let us imitate as far as possible Christ's fasting by our practice of the virtues, in order that grace may come upon us through the twofold fasting of body and spirit.". - Maximus of Turin
