Sanctifying The Fast

Quid autem est aliud sanctificare jejunium, nisi jejunii causa sancta velle, justa facere, iniqua vitare? Sanctificat ille jejunium, cujus cor adulatio potentum amicorum parentumque gratia, clientum etiam parva magnaque munuscula a recti tramite non avertunt. Sanctificat jejunium suum, cujus justitia cor non vilescit. Sanctificat ille jejunium, qui flammas saevientis iracundiae mansuetae mentis placabiliate restinguit. Sanctificat jejunium, qui lascivientes oculos turpi ab aspectu habenis castitatis avertit. Sanctificat jejunium, qui conviciorum jacula, scuto patientiae repercussa dispergit. Sanctificat jejunium, qui litigantium tumultus pacifici sanitate sermonis, et linguae prudentioris arte compescit. Sanctificat jejunium, qui consurgentes in semetipso vanarum cogitationum spinas evangelico sulcante vomere, velut quidam pectoris sui arator excidit. Sanctificat jejunium, qui inopias egenorum pro quantitate substantiae suae miseratis manus humanitate solatur. Apprime sanctificat ille jejunium, qui praeceptis divinae legis intentus, diabolica a corde suo respuit tentamenta. Et ideo, fratres carissimi, si volumus Deo placita exhibere jejunia, simus in corde fortes, in judiciis justi, in amicitia fideles, in injuriis patientes, in contentionibus moderati, refugimaus turpiloquia, adversus iniqua constantes, in conviviis sobrii, in caritate simplices, intter subdolos cauti, condolentes tristibus, contumacibus resistentes, in suspicionibus paci, inter maliloquos taciti, inter humiles coaequales. Si hujusmodi virtutibus nostra voluerimus sanctificare jejunia, tribuente Domino, ad festivitatem paschalis gratiae, et ad gaudia coelestium promissionum, indubitata fiducia et conscientia laetiore veniemus. Sanctus Maximus Taurinensis, Homilia XXXVII De Jejunio, Quadragesimae I Source: Migne PL 57.307a-308b

For what else is it to sanctify the fast, but to desire a holy cause for the fast, the doing of what is right, and the avoidance of wickedness? He sanctifies the fast whose heart is not turned from the right path by the praise of powerful friends and the favour of parents, and even the small and great gifts of dependents. He sanctifies the fast whose heart is not averse to righteousness. He sanctifies the fast who extinguishes the flames of savage anger with the appeasing meekness of the mind. He sanctifies the fast who turns lascivious eyes from foul sights for the sake of chastity. He sanctifies the fast who wards off the shafts of abuse with the protective shield of patience. He sanctifies the fast who stills the storms of disputes with the good sense of peaceful words and a prudent tongue. He sanctifies the fast who rips up the thorns of vain thoughts rising up in himself with the plough of the Gospel, as a ploughman of his own heart. He sanctifies the fast whose hand from the resources of his own substance kindly gives comfort to the poverty of the wretched. Above all he sanctifies the fast, who intent on the commands of the Divine law, spits out every temptation of the devil from his heart. And therefore, dear brothers, if we would exhibit a pleasing fast to God, let us be strong in our hearts, righteous in judgement, faithful in friendship, patient amid suffering, composed amid disputes. Let us fly vile speech, stand against wickedness, be sober among guests, innocent in love, cautious among the deceitful, a comfort to those who weep, an opponent of those who are contumacious, forgiving to those who suspect us, silent amid ill speaking, equals among the lowly. If we have sanctified our fast with such virtues, offering it to God, so we will come to the feast of Paschal grace, and even to the joy of the promises of heaven, with a secure confidence and a more joyful conscience. Saint Maximus of Turin, from Homily 37, On Fasting, For the First Sunday of Lent