What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them. Matthew 15:11
“Godly fasting, when undertaken with reverence, holy prayers, and almsgiving, is the root and foundation of piety. For God does not desire abstinence from bread and water, but abstinence from wicked deeds. Because it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a man, but what proceeds out of his mouth — these are the things that defile a man.”
Hesychios of Jerusalem (d. 450) in Fasting.
I have been back to a fasting regimen this week since I have been home. It’s far more difficult to engage while traveling and much easier when I am at home.
And I have also been doing research this week on fasting as I have been preparing the slide deck for the GTP global zoom on the topic next week.
Today I appreciate how Hesychios quotes Jesus and reminds us of the purpose of this act of piety. It aims to get our attention to rid ourselves of the things that defile us.
Because we fast for ourselves with God and not for show with others, let me make my remaining comments private in nature as fasting our physical bodies to our inner persons.
As we find ourselves in the heart of Lent, about half of the way to Easter, ask the Spirit if there is any habits that need to go or comforts to which you may be too attached.
Whatever the Spirit tells you. Fast from the habit. Let go of the comfort. The goal of fasting in Lent is abstinence from wicked deeds to create space for what God desires for us.
Wicked in the biblical sense of the word is not a green woman with a black pointed hat. And wicked is anything, including what is good, this is not God’s will and best for us.
And a shout out today to my son, Sammy who turns 28 today. Happy Birthday, Sammy! I pray that only good and not evil goes in an out of you, all the days of your life.