Saturday, March 12, 2005 Meat Fast
Gregory the Dialogist, Pope of Rome
Kellia: Zechariah 8:1-6 Epistle: Galatians 5:22-6:2 Gospel: St. Matthew 6:1-13
St. Matthew 6:1-13, especially vs. 1: "Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen
by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven." [RSV] The oldest manuscripts of this verse
have the word "dikaiosune" (here translated as "piety"), rather than the word for "almsgiving," found in some of the later
manuscripts. "Piety" serves well in this verse, making it an introduction and linking together the Lord's teaching about
three pious practices - almsgiving (vss. 2-4), prayer (vss. 5-15), and fasting (vss. 16-18). The Lord teaches that in
practicing piety we should 1) be vigilant against vainglory, and 2) direct our efforts solely toward obtaining heavenly
treasure (vss. 6:19-21).
Concerning the Lord's warning to be vigilant against vainglory, Blessed Theophylact cautions: "See what He says, 'Take
heed,' as if speaking of some terrible, wild beast. Take heed that it not tear you limb from limb." Let us be wary of how
the beast crouches to spring on us. One may be lulled into feeling safe from vainglory by the habit of measuring himself
against others, but comparison prepares the ground in our souls to make vainglory "acceptable." The world urges us to
"take pride" in our accomplishments, without a moment's thought for God Who gave us our abilities, our various strengths,
whatever intelligence, and all our capacities.
In addition, "serious" Christians face a special trap. Out of devotion to the Lord, we want to do well, make the best of
efforts, give generously, pray fervently, fast in purity. But then, "up jumps the devil." As St. John Chrysostom says,
"...what remains the most tyrannical passion of all, the rage and madness with respect to vainglory,...springs up in them that
do right." And what if we "catch on" to the idea that we need to be humble and modest in practicing our righteousness?
Vainglory returns like a raging virus, and mutates into self-congratulation: "We have become humble!" No! We have
become the worst of the Pharisees!
Our compassionate Lord understands our weakness and how difficult it is for us to remain focused on Him. St. John of
Kronstadt explains, "Our heart often sleeps....the outer man prays, but not the inner one...we only flatter with our tongue."
So the Lord kindly offers us means to sustain our consciousness of His presence. Keep our charity out of public view (vss.
3,4). Be secret about prayer (vs. 6). Fight to keep the heart focused in prayer (vss. 7,8). And as His best gift for the battle
to be pious and true, the Lord offers His Prayer. It is a sure guide, a valuable checklist, and a weapon to destroy vainglory
and sustain us in lifting up our hearts to Him alone.
Who besides our Father in Heaven do we seek to please with our offerings, by our prayers, and in fasting truly? O, our
Father, Thou hast provided the perfect Offering for the sins of the whole world, the Infallible Intercessor Who prays for us,
and the Champion of fasting Who has defeated Satan even in His own hunger. Accept my imperfect piety, and make it
perfect in Him. Let us hallow the Name of God in every thought, by every word and in all our deeds.
Hallowed be Thy Name above every name that is named. Will our acts of piety truly further the Kingdom of God, or
simply increase our reputation? O Compassionate One, forgive our impiety, and may Thy Kingdom come in us! Thou hast
asked us to give and pray and fast. May we do so only for Thee, O Lord, only for Thee. Yea, Lord, we need food this day,
but above all, the Bread of Life! Receive our grateful thanks, for all things come of Thee! What of our offerings? What of
our prayers? What of our fasting? Thou hast forgiven us who deserve it not. O Lord, save the pious. Do we hope to put
others in our debt, we who are in hopeless debt to Thee for all things? Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory
unto the ages of ages!
By the power of Thy love, grant us to hold fast to that which is good in Thy sight.
