Do You Fast?

(St. John Chrysostom - found here)

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 honored, do not envy him.
• 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.
• Let the feet fast, by ceasing to run after sin.
• Let the eyes fast, by disciplining 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?

~St. John Chrysostom