a different sort of fast...

There are a lot of jokes in the Army about the fact that we are definetely an 'eating' Army...so the idea of fasting can be a bit foreign for us on some fronts.
Except, the deal with fasting is that it's not just about not eating, it's about denying ourselves in other ways as well.

I came across this excerpt from a sermon from St. John Crysostom that challenged me, so naturally I thought I'd share it.

Read through, and hey, just for the fun of it, why not pick one (eyes, ears, hands, feet and so on) and just give it a go and fast for a day? You never know what you're capable of until you try...then drop us a comment and let us know how it went.

Do you fast?
Give me proof of it by your works.
If you see a poor man, take pity on him.

If you see a friend being honoured, do not envy her.
Do not let only your mouth fast, but also the eye and the ear
and the feet and the hands
and all the members of our bodies.

Let the hands fast, by being
free of avarice (definition - insatiable greed for riches; inordinate, miserly desire to gain and hoard wealth)

Let the feet fast, by ceasing to run after sin.

Let the eyes fast, by discipling them not to glare at that
which is sinful.

Let the ear fast, by not listening to evil talk and
gossip.

Let the mouth fast from foul words and unjust criticism.
For what good is it if we abstain from birds and fishes,
but bite and devour our brothers
and sisters?

May He who came to the world to save sinners,
strengthen us to complete the fast with humility,
have mercy on us and save us."

St. John Crysostom