St. Francis de Sales was a spellbinding preacher and his sermons are timeless. We will be journeying through the remaining weeks of Lent with him, touching upon all the familiar aspects of this season but with his special style.
Fasting is fundamental.
St Francis de Sales guides us: “I thought of speaking to you of the conditions which render fasting good and meritorious. Understand that of itself fasting is not a virtue. It is a virtue only when it is accompanied by conditions which render it pleasing to God.
We find some people who think that to fast well during the holy season of Lent it is enough to abstain from eating some prohibited food. We know very well that it is not enough to fast exteriorly if we do not also fast interiorly, and if we do not accompany the fast of the body with that of the spirit.
Now among all the conditions required for fasting well, I will select 3 principal ones and speak familiarly about them.
The first condition is that we must fast with our whole heart, willingly, wholeheartedly, universally and entirely.
The second condition is never to fast through vanity but always through humility.
The third condition necessary for fasting well is to look to God and to do everything to please Him, withdrawing within ourselves in imitation of a great saint, St. Gregory the Great who withdrew into a secret place where he remained for a time.
Reflection:
Have I chosen to fast this Lent and how?
What are my motivations?
In what ways does St. Francis de Sales guide me to a more balanced outlook in fasting for the Lord?
Source: Sermon for Ash Wed , Feb 9, 1622