After the rigorous sermon s. Alfonso M. de 'Liguori on the " sins of the number beyond which god does not forgive "just shows that at least tempered by the next how can the joys of Paradise , and considerations of prayer and fasting s. Bernard of Clairvaux , explores the same theme of fasting ( original here) , I propose it happily for those who have a few extra pounds (first of all to myself) to help turn Lent into an opportunity for health body and soul, recalling a part of one of the final invocation of the Holy Rosary (with the obvious invitation to recite): "... It allows mentis et corporis quaesumus ... perpetual Sanitate Gaudete"!
SERM III. Jejunio De Quadragesimae.
1. Beloved, I beg you to observe the Lenten fast with all the devotion possible, because not only is prescribed abstinence but also especially for the sacred mystery that hides. If the rest of the year we have fasted with devotion during this sacred time we have to do it with even greater devotion. If this withdrawal is more rigorous than usual, is not very expensive for us to feel unworthy of all the Church stand with us? So far we have only fasted for up to fifteen hours, until sunset, all kings and princes, clerics and laymen, nobles and commoners, rich and poor, and will fast with us. Therefore I have said these things, because those who were troubled by case basis by the weakness of the spirit, and began this fast with little devotion, perhaps recalling the difficulties of the previous year, could not resist enough. In fact, we are working as much as possible to cancel the consistency of our sacrifice, because it is less acceptable to God, and that our consciousness is not rejoice in the spiritual joy, so that the resulting weakness of the weakness of patient consciousness. Knowing all his tricks, beg to be on guard against him with all the shortest possible time, and because God loves a cheerful giver, and because, consequently, our conscience is comforted, and because our fasts are made the greatest devotion, look carefully at the examples of the whole Church.
1. Beloved, I beg you to observe the Lenten fast with all the devotion possible, because not only is prescribed abstinence but also especially for the sacred mystery that hides. If the rest of the year we have fasted with devotion during this sacred time we have to do it with even greater devotion. If this withdrawal is more rigorous than usual, is not very expensive for us to feel unworthy of all the Church stand with us? So far we have only fasted for up to fifteen hours, until sunset, all kings and princes, clerics and laymen, nobles and commoners, rich and poor, and will fast with us. Therefore I have said these things, because those who were troubled by case basis by the weakness of the spirit, and began this fast with little devotion, perhaps recalling the difficulties of the previous year, could not resist enough. In fact, we are working as much as possible to cancel the consistency of our sacrifice, because it is less acceptable to God, and that our consciousness is not rejoice in the spiritual joy, so that the resulting weakness of the weakness of patient consciousness. Knowing all his tricks, beg to be on guard against him with all the shortest possible time, and because God loves a cheerful giver, and because, consequently, our conscience is comforted, and because our fasts are made the greatest devotion, look carefully at the examples of the whole Church.
2. But because I speak of those who share our fast? As if we did not have the best guides, and even in what consecrators. With what devotion we should observe that fast that there is an inheritance from Moses, the saint to whom was given the privilege, denied to other prophets, to speak with God face to face? How fervently we should embrace that recommended by Elijah, the prophet who was taken to heaven in a chariot of fire? Think of how many thousands of men were killed - is the general condition - from those days: Elijah, however, protected by God, so far has escaped the hand of death. Now, if Moses and Elijah, as great as our brothers are, however, recommend this fast, as it recommends our Lord Jesus Christ, who fasted so himself? What, do not say that Monaco, but the Christian, who will face less devoutly that fast that Christ himself exhorted him? After all, dear, we must imitate the example of the fast of Christ with so much more devotion, as it is certain that he fasted for us, not for 'the same.
3. So fast, my beloved brethren, we fast with devotion during the holy season of Lent, we know that Lent is not only of forty days, all the time it normally takes from this miserable life, during which, with the help of grace of God, which is ensured by the four Gospels, you must put into practice the Ten Commandments of God those who believe that these few days are sufficient to do penance totally wrong, because it is certain that all the time this is done for penance . The Prophet said, "Seek the Lord," not only for forty days, but "as they found, call while it is near" (Isa. LV, 6). It will not be time to call, when God will no longer close to anyone because it will certainly present to some and away from other enormously. Meanwhile, from this, it is clear that you are not yet understood what it means at hand, however, one can easily understand it and find it. Who do you think was close to the man who fell among thieves (Luke X, 36)? It is not the one who had mercy on him? So, given that in this time of grace the Lord is near, get it, my dear brethren, as you find and call on him while he is near.
4. So, this Lent, we are required to deal with the greatest fervor that is not just one aspect but also the sacrament of this period. Therefore, if our zeal is a bit 'decreased during the rest of the year, should live again in the heat of our minds. If only because the mouth has sinned, and she alone is quite fast, but if all other members of our body also have sinned, because as you do not fast? So fast the eye, as he emptied his soul; ear fasting, fasting language, hand fasting, fasting also the soul. Fast eye from every aspect of curiosity and exuberance that is properly humiliated in penance for the evil he has done with perching freely everywhere. Fasting the ear unworthily chasing rumors of gossip, and everything is idle, and absolutely devoid of any reference to salvation by denigrating the language fast and growl, the words useless, empty, or scurrilous, sometimes, for ' importance of silence, even those may seem necessary. Fast hand signs, rooms and any work that is not controlled, and even more fast soul from vices and his own will. In fact, without fasting, everything else is rejected by God, because, as it is written, "the day of your fast cured your business" (Isa. lviii, 3).
