Thoughts from St. John Chrysostom (347-407)
Orthodox Christians will enter the Great Fast on Monday, March 18. In preparation, I would like to highlight St. John Chrysostom’s words concerning the Spirit of the Fast, offered to the people of Antioch during a very turbulent time. Some of the following is slightly edited for the sake of space and clarity.
“To honor the Fast,” John said – to follow it properly – “is to withdraw from sinful practices, since he who limits his fasting only to an abstinence from meats, is the one who makes light of it. Do you fast, then give me proof of it by your works!”
What kind of works? “If you see a poor man, take pity on him. If you see an enemy, be reconciled to him. If you see a friend gaining honor, do not envy him. If you see a beautiful woman, pass her by. Do not let the mouth fast only, but also the eye, the ear, the feet, the hands, and all members of the body.”
John goes on to say, “Let the hands fast, by being pure from theft and avarice. Let the feet fast, by not running to unrighteous spectacles. Let the eyes fast, being taught never to fix themselves rudely upon a beautiful countenance.”
Chrysostom strengthens his exhortation, referring to the harm inflicted on others through slander and hateful words. “Let the mouth fast also from disgraceful speeches and railings against men. For what does it profit if we abstain from birds and fishes, yet we bite and devour our brethren? The one who speaks evil, eats the flesh of his brother, and bites the body of his neighbor. (To be sure), you have not (literally) fixed your teeth into your neighbor’s flesh, but you have fixed slander in the soul, and inflicted the wound of evil suspicion. You have harmed in a thousand ways, yourself and others, for in slandering a neighbor you have made him who listens to the slander, even worse than before.”
Chrysostom emphasizes the harm to the Church overall, resulting from the unrighteous behavior of its members. This too, makes void the power of Lenten externals. “With your misconduct in speech you strike at the common welfare of the Body, for all those who hear your words, not only accuse the supposed sinner, but the reproach is fastened on the Christian community. The non-believers (whose attention is drawn to the sins of the faithful), hold all Christians accountable for the transgressions of the (one) individual.” In addition, John states that, “A slanderer causes the glory of God to be blasphemed, for as His Name is glorified when we hear good reports, so when we sin, it is insulted!”
Finally, as a help and clarification, St. John provides methods for correcting the neighbor, while keeping the Spirit of the Fast. He says to pray for others. When necessary, however, we should admonish, counsel and entreat people privately – not publicly – demonstrating charity toward sinners, showing that we seek to guide them out of love and concern.
There is an inspiring, related episode in the life of St. Sergius of Radonezh, 14th century. It was said that even as an abbot, this great man would never publicly shame monastics under his care. If a monk, for instance, needed correction, Sergius would often go to the person’s cell (his room) and knock on the door. When the monk asked, “Yes, what is it?” Sergius – through the closed door – would simply reply, “You know what it is,” and then leave, allowing the monk’s conscience to provide the lesson.
Great Lent is upon us. At this point my conscience, your conscience, should be speaking to us as well. The power of the Fast is great if followed correctly. Church attendance, personal prayer and good deeds, as well as abstinence from various foods, these comprise just one part of the effort, and, truth be told, the least difficult. It is far easier to change what I do, than to change what I have become, through a life of sin and neglect.
During the forty days, believers are called to focus their gaze on Christ. They are to “flee from the pride of the Pharisee, and learn humility from the Publican’s tears” (Kontakion, second pre-Lenten Sunday). They will seek a proper understanding of their own thoughts and actions. Such clarity of mind is the essence of humility: the ability to see things as they truly are. Christians must guard their senses from temptations, devote themselves to prayer and charity.
In addition, those who genuinely want to have a “successful Fast,” will strive to do no harm to others. If nothing else, we can start with this one basic exercise in compassion: refrain from harming others. Let that be a major focus for Lent. Orthodox Christians will also seek reconciliation with those from whom they are estranged, and then – this is something anyone can do – they will try to offer forgiveness to all, in light of Christ’s example from the Cross. To Him be all glory, honor and worship, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
by Fr. Basil Zebrun
(From a sermon at St. Barbara’s)