Blessed is God, who grants those who strive through fasting the opportunity to contemplate the reward [offered at] the midpoint of [the period of] self-denial, for, here we stand at the gates marking the halfway point of the Lenten fast. Since we have certainly been strengthened thus far by the help of Christ, Who ordains and rewards [spiritual] struggles, let us take courage for the remaining half of the Lenten struggle. Already, by the grace of the Lord, we have reached the halfway point on the stairway that leads us to Heaven. Let us rid ourselves of our sins, not just halfway, but completely.
We are, therefore, drawing near to the rewards. Let us, therefore, persevere in the struggles [that take place in the arena of fasting]. Indeed, the spiritual gifts of the trials 1 [of fasting] are already shining; the crowns of sweat worn by the athletes cast rays of light; the mysteries of the struggles [of fasting] are set before [the fasters] from the heights of Heaven—things which Christ, Who orchestrates and rewards the [spiritual] struggles, distributes according to the victory of those who fight in the arena. [Christ] strengthens us from on high to [maintain] the intensity of our fast, and promises to bestow spiritual gifts from heaven upon [the fighters] who labour through fasting. Therefore, let us not lose heart in our struggles, so that we may win the city of those crowned [who have laboured] through fasting. Indeed, those who nourish themselves through fasting traverse the heavens, [and] the heavens embrace those who take their models from the angels, for the conduct of those who fast is heavenly. Undoubtedly, fasting transports people from earth to heaven, elevates them to the angelic state, gently prepares them for the journey from earth to heaven, and brings them close to the Heavenly King Himself, granting them the joy of immortal blessings. Surely, brothers, this miracle is beyond our own efforts, for children are trained alongside [spiritual] men, women compete with men, and the weak feminine nature is strengthened in preparation for the race [of fasting].
The trial of fasting is a matter [pertaining to the exercise of] freedom for those who desire it, for Christ, the bountiful Rewarder in battles, awaits 2. Let us hasten towards the middle phase of the fast. Let no one dishonour this spiritual struggle. Let no one desert these spiritual struggles, for the enemy has been stripped of his boldness. He has been deprived of the benefit of his battle. He has been vanquished by God’s judgement. He is a slave now that he has been defeated. He has been driven away by fasting, [and] although he was laughing, he was thrown to the ground by some children, receiving from them the humiliation of death through shame. Consequently, let no one slacken, brothers, even if they are in the midst of [Great] Lent. Let no one neglect the trials at the midpoint of [Lent], for our spiritual nobility lies in overcoming them. If anyone fights half-heartedly in a battle, that person is strengthened. If any of us fights without vigour, it makes that person strong. For this reason, let us stand firm in the struggle, so that the adversary may be defeated all the more. Let us renounce the desire to eat meat. Let us endure the little [fasting] with patience, so that we may receive immortal grace.
Indeed, Adam ate and was condemned to death. Elijah fasted and was assured that the gates of heaven would be shut. Noah drank, and his mind was altered. Enoch led an ascetic life and was taken up [to heaven] by the angels. Pharaoh grew fat and was swallowed up, chariot and all, by the sea. Moses fasted and subdued the sea, becoming a builder of new walls from the fluid nature of the waters; and, having prepared the people to journey into a foreign land, with their feet ready for battle, he parted the sea.
Eve partook of forbidden food [παρανόμου] and, beginning with her, all are subject to death. The Lord born of Mary kept himself aloof from lawful food 3 [ἐννόμου] and delivered all from the condemnation of death. The tree [of the knowledge of good and evil] in Paradise was a foretaste of death, for God said: ‘On the day you eat of it, you shall surely die’4
The wood of the Cross is the defeat of death, for from it sprang forth immortal life. The thief passed from the cross into paradise. The fruit of the tree [of the knowledge of good and evil] in the Garden of Eden is a fruit of [the serpent’s] envy, whilst partaking of the fruit of the Cross is the destruction of envy.
The fruit of the tree in Paradise is a fruit of envy, whilst partaking of the fruit of the Cross is the destruction of envy. If Adam had fasted, he would not have been condemned to death, he would not have been cast out because of his unceasing pride, nor would he have been cast out because of defilement. Indeed, the Holy Scriptures say that ‘God created man for incorruptibility…’
If Adam had fasted, he would not have been condemned to death, he would not have been cast out [of Paradise] because of his unceasing pride, nor would he have been cast out [of Paradise] because of his defilement. Indeed, the Holy Scriptures say that ‘God created man for incorruptibility; but through the devil’s envy, death entered the world’5 However, Christ came, ‘our Peace, who has broken down the dividing wall of hostility in His own body, and has crucified the record of the law of sin on the Cross, having abolished the certificate of debt against us’6 And Paul exclaims: Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us7. Consequently, brothers, let us repay the Benefactor to the best of our ability. Let us honour Him who is rich in mercy with small offerings.
Our Lord was crucified for us; therefore, let us feed the poor, who are made in His image. He faced death so that He might deliver us from death. Let us, with His help, save those like ourselves from the hunger that leads to death, through small offerings. Surely, it is He Himself who receives what is offered through the poor. So, man, as you turn your gaze towards the Lord who receives [your offering] through them, do not pass by a poor person when they hold out their hand, but let the poor person’s hand be a censer set before you in the marketplace, for it holds, instead of fire, coal that dispels hunger entirely. Therefore, let us cast two coins instead of incense and fill the heavens with fragrance, so that we may hear Jesus from heaven when He cries out: ‘Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me’8 To Him be glory and power for ever and ever. [Amen].
*I have translated this from St John Chrysostom, Εἰς τὴν μέσην ἑβδομάδα τῶν νηστειῶν [In mediam hebdomadam jejuniorum] in PG 59, col. Patrologiae cursus completus (series Graeca) 59, Paris, 1857–1866, 701–704.
- 1
The Greek term σκάμμα -ατος, τό has a literal meaning of ‘pit’ or ‘arena’, whilst in a figurative sense it can also denote a ‘trial’, ‘test’ or ‘training’, etc. Cf. Franco Montanari, ‘σκάμμα’ in: The Brill Dictionary of Ancient Greek, Brill, n.p., 2015 and G. W. H. Lampe (ed.), ‘Σκάμμα,’ in A Patristic Greek Lexicon, The Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1961, 1235.
- 2
Literally: ‘stands’, ‘is seated’ or ‘remains calm’.
- 3
One can observe the lexical interplay between the two terms used in this context by Saint John Chrysostom: παράνομ-ος, ον vs. ἔννομος, ον.
- 4
Genesis 2:17.
- 5
The Wisdom of Solomon II, 23–24.
- 6
Ephesians 2:14–15.
- 7
Galatians 3:13.
- 8
Matthew 25:40.