Fasts And Feasts

Tu autem cum jejunas, unge caput tuum, et faciem tuam lava... Idioma sanctarum scripturarum est, ut sic uni quasi omnibus, et sic omniubs quasi uni loquatur; idcirco singulari numero, tu autem, dixit, cum jejunas, ut unusquisque specialter sibi intelligat hoc dictum. Caeterum notandus est locus, quod non omnia etiam Novi Testamenti praecepta juxta litteram sunt servanda. Alias autem fugientes in jejuniis hominum conscientiam, et vanae laudis jactantiam, uncti capitibus magis ostendimur jejunare, et ridiculi erimus olei pinguedine delibuti. Verumtamen more Palestinae provinciae loquitur, ubi diebus festis solent ungere capita sua solemnia celebrants. Ex quo liquet jejunantes nos festivos esse debere, et in diebus abstinentiae laetitia spiritali pinguescere Est namque interior homo noster, in quo sicuti a capite omnia membra corporis reguntur, ita a mente illlius participantur partes, propter quod saepe caput pro mente ponitur. Quam oportet denique in diebus jejuniorum sacro perungi unguento, illo videlicet de quo sponsa in Canticis ad Sponsum loquitur: Unguentum effusum nomen tuum, ideo adolescentulae diligunt te. Quo nimirum unguento mens nostra peruncta, recte diligit eum, cujus amore interius perfusa, fragrat odorem, et virtutum odoramenta passim bonis operibus decorata respergit. At vero hypocritarum caput unguento ungitur adulationis, de quo Psalmista canens: Oleum autem peccatoris non impinguet caput meum. Christus itaque factus est nobis unguentum, quod effusum per passionem mortis, totam domum, sanctam videlicet Ecclesiam, suo replevit odore. Idcirco non alterius causa jejunare convenit: sed illius spiritu profusi, debemus per abstinentiam macerare carnem, ut ejus passionibus particimur. Alioquin nisi ejus ungamur spiritu amoris, jejunia nostra vana erunt. Sanctus Paschasius Radbertus Corbeiensis, Expositio In Evangelium Matthaei, Liber IV, Caput VI Source: Migne PL 120.302b-303a

When you fast, anoint your head and wash your face... 1 It is the idiom of the Holy Scriptures that as one is spoken for many, so many is for one, therefore when He speaks with the singular 'you' about fasting everyone should understand that it has been spoken to him especially. Besides, let it be noted in this place, that not every commandment of the New Testament should be taken literally. Otherwise in fasts, fleeing from the good conscience of men, even as a boast for vain praise, we would exhibit our heads anointed, and be ridiculous doused in ointments. However it is said of the custom of the province of Palestine that they are accustomed on their feast days to celebrate their solemnities with their heads anointed. From which it is clear our fasts should be feasts, and in the days of abstinence we should anoint ourselves with spiritual joy. For it is our interior man with which as a head all the members of the body are ruled, thus by the mind they are made participant parts, on account of which the head is often set down for the mind. Therefore in the days of fasting one should be anointed with the sacred unguent which the bride speaks of to the groom in the Song of Songs, 'Your name is oil poured out, therefore the young maidens love you.' 2 Whence certainly with our mind anointed, rightly it loves Him whose love is diffused through the interior, a fragrant odor, and the fragrances of virtue waft forth from the adornment of good works. However the heads of hypocrites are anointed with the oil of adulation, concerning which the Psalmist says, 'Let not the oil of the sinner anoint my head.' 3 Thus with the passion of His death Christ was made an ointment for us, which was poured out through the whole house, which is filled with His scent, that is, the Church. Therefore no other cause befits fasting, but that with His spirit diffused in us, we should emaciate the flesh with abstinence so that it participates in His sufferings. Besides, unless we are anointed with the spirit of His love, our fasting shall be in vain. Saint Paschasius Radbertus, Commentary On The Gospel of Saint Matthew, Book 4, Chapter 6 1 Mt 6.17 2 Song 1.3 3 Ps 140.5