On the Beginning of Lent

1. With the mercy of the Lord, we overcome the temptations of this world through almsgiving, fasting, and prayer. These are always necessary but especially as we prepare for Easter, which reminds us of the mercy Christ has shown us. He fasted and prayed for us, and He became one of us so that He might redeem us. The Creator humbled Himself, the Bread of Life became hungry, and He who is without sin suffered and died—all to heal our wounds, satisfy our hunger, and stir our hearts toward love.
​
What greater mercy could there be? He gave Himself to us when we hungered, and He welcomed us though He Himself was rejected. Let us then give bread to the hungry, welcome the stranger, and perform works of mercy all the more generously as the day of His sacrifice approaches. For fasting without kindness and mercy is worth nothing to the one who fasts.

2. Let us fast with humility, imitating Christ, who was obedient even to the death of the cross (Phil 2:8). Let us not only restrain our appetites but also our hearts, disciplining our desires so they do not rule over us. Let us chastise our bodies and subject them to self-denial so that we do not fall into sin.
 
Fasting should not be a mere rearranging of pleasures. Some people replace one luxury with another, crafting new delights for themselves during Lent rather than truly simplifying. They abstain from one kind of indulgence, only to seek another, refining their tastes rather than purifying their hearts. This is not fasting—it is merely shifting desires.

To avoid such deception, let our fasting be accompanied by frugality. Just as we restrain the stomach, let us also restrain the tongue and the mind. It is not that certain foods are unclean, but that the love of pleasure must be kept in check. Holy David repented not for eating forbidden food, but for desiring water too much (2 Sam 23:15-17). It is not only forbidden pleasures that corrupt, but also an excessive attachment to lawful ones. Let us, therefore, fast in a way that renews our spirit, not just our habits.

3. Prayer, too, must be chaste and sincere. It is pointless to ask God for mercy if we refuse it to others. Many cry out to God but harbor anger, hatred, and bitterness in their hearts. If we fast from food, how much more must we fast from resentment?
 
Some people, unable to take revenge, instead pray vengeful prayers, asking God to harm those who have wronged them. But just as fasting strengthens prayer, prayer must be free from hatred. Christ Himself commands us: “Forgive, and you shall be forgiven” (Luke 6:37). If we hold on to resentment, how can we expect God to let go of our sins?
 
Therefore, let our prayer be pure, humble, and persistent. Just as our bodies need food at the proper time, our souls must be nourished at all times by love. True prayer fasts from selfishness and malice. True prayer feeds on love.
 
4. In this holy season, let us fast, not just in body but in soul. Let us give up not only excess food, but excess pride. Let us abstain not only from meat and wine, but also from gossip and cruelty. Let our hunger be for righteousness, our thirst be for holiness, and our satisfaction be in Christ alone.

When we fast in this way—with love, mercy, and sincerity—then our sacrifice will be pleasing to God. And when the feast of Easter arrives, we shall rejoice not only in the Risen Lord, but in the renewal of our own souls.