Today starts the Nativity fast and Advent...

I am presiding at Matins in the morning and preaching on Luke 15:1-10. I have been praying and trying to prepare for the homily. Obviously I have been considering fasting and asceticism as, for Orthodox Christians, today began the Advent season and the Nativity fast. Here is a bit on fasting by Evdokimov sent to me by my friend and Prof . Peter Bouteneff this evening.

"In the desert of the Thebaid, extreme fasts and constraints were imposed. Today the combat is not the same. We no longer need added pain. Hair shirts, chains, and flagellation would risk uselessly breaking us. Today mortification would be liberation from every kind of addiction – speed, noise, alcohol, and all kinds of stimulants. Asceticism would be necessary rest, the discipline of regular periods of calm and silence, when one could regain the ability to stop for prayer and contemplation… and above all to listen to the presence of others. Fasting, instead of doing violence to the flesh, could be our renunciation of the superfluous, our sharing with the poor and a joyful balance in all things."

I'll be chewing on this for a while... In the mean time I will try to find the reference to share with you if anyone is interested. If you know it please post a comment.

Grace and Peace,
FrJM