feasting

The Rule of Fasting and Eating are the same Rule

“It is not suited to everyone to follow a severe rule of abstinence from everything, or to deprive himself of everything which can serve for the easing of weakness.

One should make use of food daily to the extent that the body, fortified, may be the friend and assistant of the soul in the practice of virtue. Otherwise, the soul may weaken because it is exhausted.

On Wednesdays and Fridays, especially during the four fasts, eat once a day, and the angel of the Lord will remain with you.”

– St. Seraphim

A Fast for All Meals

“I shall speak first about control of the stomach, the opposite to gluttony, and about how to fast and what and how much to eat. I shall say nothing on my own account, but only what I have received from the Holy Fathers. They have not given us only a single rule for fasting or a single standard and measure for eating, because not everyone has the same strength; age, illness or delicacy of body create differences. But they have given us all a single goal: to avoid over-eating and the filling of our bellies… A clear rule for self-control handed down by the Fathers is this: stop eating while still hungry and do not continue until you are satisfied.” – St. John Cassian

Comment: It seems like we are always fasting when we feast, never letting the food become the point, and feasting on the Spirit when we fast.

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