Fasting is an ordinance of the Church, obliging the Christian to observe it
on specific days. Concerning fasting, our Savior teaches: "When thou
fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; that thou appear not unto men to
fast, but unto thy Father Who is in secret: and thy Father, Who seethe in
secret, shall reward thee openly." From what the Savior teaches we learn
(a) that fasting is pleasing to God, and (b) that he who fasts for the
uplifting of his mind and heart towards God shall be rewarded by God, Who is a
most liberal bestower of Divine gifts, for his devotion.
In the New Testament fasting is recommended as a means of preparing the mind
and the heart for divine worship, for long prayer, for rising from the earthly,
and for spiritualization.
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