Fasting and a Quiet Mind

Delight in fasts rather than in feasts. Remember the widow who did not leave the temple but served God with fasting and prayer day and night. Now if she, a widow, and a Jewish widow at that, showed herself such a woman, what ought a virgin of Christ to reach now? Love the feast of the divine word more than anything else, and desire to be filled with spiritual delicacies, seeking the food that refreshes the soul rather than the food that only pleases the body. Flee all kinds of meat and wine, as sources of heat and incitements to lust. Use a little wine only when there is need, when an upset stomach or great weakness of body requires it. [a]

Subdue anger, hold back hostility, and whatever brings on remorse once it is done, avoid as an abomination that leads straight into sin. The mind that wishes to be God’s dwelling place ought to be very calm and quiet, and free from every storm of anger, as he testifies through the prophet, saying, “On whom else will I rest but on the one who is humble and quiet, and who trembles at my words?” Believe that God is witness of all your deeds and thoughts, and take great care that you neither do nor think anything unworthy of the divine sight. When you wish to pray, show yourself in the frame of mind that befits one who is about to speak with the Lord.