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Explanation for:
Matthew
6
:
16
And when you fast, be not as the hypocrites, sad. For they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward.
11
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The term exterminant, frequently misapplied in ecclesiastical texts due to translation errors, conveys a meaning that significantly diverges from its common usage. For instance, exterminantur refers to those in exile, as they are displaced from their homeland. Therefore, it is more accurate to use the term demoliuntur, meaning to dismantle or destroy, which corresponds to the Greek term άφανίζουσι. Additionally, a hypocrite may feign sorrow through a pained facial expression, while inwardly delighting, thus masking true joy behind a guise of grief."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"In light of these words, it is appropriate for us to mourn and lament deeply. We not only mirror the false pretenders, but we have even exceeded them. I am aware of many who, not only during their fasting, seek the attention of others, but even when not fasting at all, adopt the demeanor of those who are. They unjustly claim to do this to avoid leading others astray. Yet, I ask you: What does God’s commandment say about fasting? You are, in effect, inviting temptation. Do you assume that obeying this command subjects you to temptation, while disobeying it somehow frees you from it? How can such rationalizations be more detrimental? Your desire to outdo the hypocrites makes you doubly deceitful, fabricating an even more extreme form of wickedness. Does not the conviction of the Savior’s words lead you to reconsider? He did not merely label them as hypocrites; in a stronger rebuke, He stated, ‘They mar their faces,’ indicating that they corrupt and distort their own appearances. If even for the sake of vanity, allowing oneself to appear wan is a form of self-deterioration, what can we say about the practices that some employ with makeup to attract those who are drawn to sensuality? In the former situation, they inflict harm solely upon themselves; in the latter, they harm both themselves and those who gaze upon them. Endeavor to escape from both of these dangers with all your might."},{"author-name":"Ephraem the Syrian","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88b589fc3e99eb7bb1839_Ephraem%20the%20Syrian.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The monk who speaks as if from another's voice refers to fasting as a period of lamentation, yet the self-denying monk maintains a cheerful demeanor even during this time of abstinence."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"The term 'obscurity of face' refers to a pale appearance. It serves as an admonition for those who do not truly reflect their nature but instead adopt a somber façade."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"During fasting, you should not concern yourself with appearing sorrowful, as some do in order to gain the admiration of others. By pretending to be downcast, they hide their true selves. They have already gained their reward."},{"author-name":"Nicephoros (Theotokis)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8958407451968d9c204fb_Nicephoros%20(Theotokis).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":18,"exegesis-text":"During His time on earth, Jesus Christ encountered individuals such as the Pharisees, who, when they engaged in fasting, made a show of their suffering by deliberately altering their appearance to look dismal. Their intent was to be seen by others, rather than to seek the approval of God. In the era of St. John Chrysostom, some people refrained from fasting yet displayed their sorrowful countenance, ostensibly to avoid misleading others with their lack of reverence. In the present day, there are individuals who not only neglect fasting but also indulge freely in various foods, disregarding God's commandments without any trepidation. The former group were hypocrites, seeking not divine favor but the accolades of those around them; thus, they received their reward from the spectators rather than from God. The latter were transgressors of God’s law, which is why St. John Chrysostom rightly condemned them as being even more culpable than the first. Those today are genuinely worse, as they not only violate divine commandments but also lead others astray. \\n\\nBut is it possible for someone who eats, as they did in Chrysostom’s time, to dim the brightness of their face? Can a person fasting truly exhibit a mournful and pallid appearance, as was seen during Christ's ministry? Indeed, this is possible, based on logical reasoning and observed experience. From the perspective of reason, the soul, which is intricately linked with the body, can influence the blood and life force at will, thereby affecting one’s appearance. As for experience, we know that a sorrowful thought alone can lead to a pale face and tears, portraying a sense of despondency; conversely, a joyful thought can brighten the face, bring forth laughter, and enhance one’s appearance. Since our desires guide our thoughts, how we choose to present our face is ultimately within our control. A joyful heart brings forth a cheerful countenance, but with sorrow comes lamentation, as stated in Proverbs 15:13. \\n\\nMoreover, there are external means by which one’s appearance can be altered, as the Lord instructs, saying, \\"But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face... For let not man appear unto thee when thou fastest, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.”"},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"When you engage in fasting, it involves refraining from food and drink for spiritual reasons rather than physical necessity. Fasting is a manifestation of our awareness of sin, stemming from the dominance of the flesh over the spirit; its aim is to bring the flesh under the control of the spirit by curbing physical desires and appetites. When one is conscious of their sinfulness, fasting becomes an essential spiritual practice. The human body is designed such that during times of sorrow and grief, the desire for sustenance is diminished compared to ordinary circumstances. An individual experiencing deep sorrow tends to be less concerned about fulfilling their need for food, making fasting a natural response to the anguish that arises from the awareness of one's wrongdoings. This serves as the foundational aspect of fasting as a spiritual discipline, emerging as a necessary reaction of the soul in situations that provoke remorse for sins, such as witnessing the prosperity of wickedness or facing public disasters.\\n\\nThrough controlling physical cravings and worldly passions, fasting also fosters humility and deep contemplation, helping to shift one’s focus away from earthly pleasures towards the comforts of the heavenly realm. True fasting is pleasing to God when it authentically reflects a sorrowful heart, stemming from a genuine recognition of sin. For an insightful depiction of what genuine fasting looks like in God's eyes, refer to Isaiah 58:3-10. Do not become disheartened like the hypocrites; these individuals, lacking true repentance in their hearts, outwardly sought to appear mournful and to showcase their fasting. They tried to alter their appearances to appear somber, neglecting personal grooming and customary practices of care, such as washing their faces or applying oil; they let their hair remain unkempt, wore torn and dirty clothes, and sprinkled ashes on their heads as symbolic acts of mourning. However, these actions aimed to mislead both God and others, yet people often saw through this facade, with God’s all-knowing gaze revealing their true intentions. Although some individuals may have been fooled by such appearances and honored those who were fasting, the rewards they received were fleeting and unmerited."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"This is why He did not eliminate fasting; rather, He associated it with prayer and charitable acts, providing guidance on how it should be practiced. Any virtuous act has the potential to be corrupted and lose its divine significance. Pride can diminish the worth of fasting in the sight of God, just as it did with the Pharisees, who focused not on their own shortcomings but sought instead to be seen as righteous by others. To achieve this, they altered their appearance, adopting a somber demeanor to give the impression that they were fasting. \\n\\nIn Jewish tradition, particularly in hotter climates like the East, it was customary for individuals to cleanse their bodies often and to anoint themselves with oil. However, during fasting, the Pharisees refrained from bathing, combing their hair, anointing themselves, or wearing clean garments, instead allowing ashes to adorn their heads—all to mislead both God and humanity. Though some were indeed misled and admired these pretenders, God cannot be deceived. \\"Truly, I tell you,\\" states the Sacred Heart, \\"they have already received their reward from men and therefore have no expectation of a reward from God.\\" With profound sadness, St. John Chrysostom observes that even among believers, there exist such hypocritical fasters, with some being even worse. \\"In light of Christ's words,\\" he mournfully declares, \\"we must weep and lament. We do not only mimic the hypocrites, but we exceed them. I know many who, even when not fasting, present themselves as if they were, thus becoming worse than hypocrites!\\""},{"author-name":"Philaret (Amphiteatrov)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c896e9b7a2ebaf99e4620a_Philaret%20(Amphiteatrov).png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Prayer and fasting, as taught by the Holy Fathers who have gained wisdom through their spiritual journeys, serve as the two essential wings that elevate our souls from the earthly realm to the divine presence of God. Just as a bird cannot soar without its wings, our souls cannot transition from a life dominated by flesh and sin to a life of spirit and holiness without the dual practice of prayer and fasting. Just as a bird requires both wings to navigate the heavens freely, so too does a Christian require both prayer and fasting in harmony to embody the spirit of the Gospel. In His teachings, the Saviour Christ emphasizes this connection, presenting the importance of true fasting immediately after instructing on genuine prayer. He advises, \\"When ye fast, be not as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast.\\" The despair that can accompany fasting is often felt by those who indulge in earthly pleasures, viewing fasting as a hindrance to their desires and perceiving the season of fasting as a tedious burden. The hypocrites, harboring hearts filled with sensuality, mask their aversion to fasting under a façade of righteousness. Their motivation for fasting is not aimed at cleansing their souls and bodies from sinful passions but rather to gain the admiration of others and bask in the praise of their apparent piety. The Saviour delivers a sobering truth regarding such hypocritical practices: \\"Amen, I say unto you, they have their reward.\\" They achieve what they seek—gratification of their vanity. However, despite their outward observance of fasting, their hearts remain unchanged, still entangled in the filth of passions and sins."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"In cautioning His disciples against the dangers of pride, Jesus Christ instructed them to avoid performing good deeds and praying for the sake of appearances, aiming for the admiration of others. Likewise, He urged His followers to fast in such a manner that their actions remain unnoticed by others. \\n\\nFasting holds great significance. As previously noted, indulgence in food and drink can overburden the stomach, cloud the mind, and undermine one’s will. Many have likely encountered these consequences of excess. Thus, there are moments when refraining from food and drink becomes essential to bring the body into submission to the spirit, particularly in the battle against temptation, and to cultivate a heightened awareness of one's transgressions, self-reflection, and repentance. The duration and intensity of fasting may vary based on the individual's strength and the nature of the temptation faced. Regardless, fasting should be undertaken for one's own benefit, to allow the spirit to triumph over a carnal nature, rather than for the sake of being observed. \\n\\nIn that time, the Pharisees were particularly focused on appearing to fast. The Jewish tradition included frequent cleansing and anointing, especially important in the warm climate of Palestine. However, the Pharisees chose to forego washing, neglected their hair, donned tattered garments, and sprinkled ashes upon their heads—all to capture the attention of the public, misleading others with their peculiar demeanor. Their focus was not on genuine fasting, but rather on the façade of fasting; the people they duped praised them for their supposed righteousness, which satisfied their hollow desires, serving as the sole motive for their hypocrisy. However, Christ calls for a distinct approach to fasting among His followers. He admonishes them not to appear sorrowful or dismal in their fast, nor to alter their appearance, aiming instead to avoid attracting attention. Their fast is not for the eyes of others, but for themselves, and not before people, but before their Heavenly Father, who observes every secret act and even knows their innermost thoughts. The good deeds, prayers, and fasting done discreetly will be rewarded by Him.\\n\\nIt should be noted that Christ's teachings do not prohibit the visible practice of good works and prayers, provided these acts are not performed for public approval. There is no prohibition against visible fasting, as long as it serves the purpose of bringing the body into alignment with the spirit for more effective prayer and repentance, rather than for the purpose of being noticed and praised by others. The ultimate aim of one's earthly existence is to achieve everlasting joy in the Kingdom of Heaven. Thus, one should focus solely on what leads to this goal: selfless love for others, even one’s adversaries, engaging in acts of kindness towards them, self-examination, repentance, fasting, and prayer. These are the treasures necessary for entering the Kingdom of Heaven, which cannot be stolen or destroyed—unlike earthly treasures that diminish and are claimed by time."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The Condemnation of Ostentatious Fasting Jesus Christ cautioned His disciples against the dangers of prideful glory, instructing them to refrain from performing righteous acts and praying solely for the sake of public recognition. Similarly, He urged them to observe fasting in a manner that would go unnoticed by others. The Significance of Fasting It has been noted that overindulgence in food and drink burdens the stomach, clouds the mind, and diminishes the will. Many of us have likely felt these consequences firsthand. Thus, at times, it is essential to deny oneself food and drink to bring the body into submission to the spirit, particularly in the face of temptation, and to cultivate a deeper awareness of one’s sins, engage in self-reflection, and seek repentance. Such abstinence can vary in intensity and duration, influenced by the individual's strength and the nature of the temptation encountered. Regardless, fasting should be undertaken for one’s own spiritual victory over a carnal and desire-driven body, rather than to merely project an image of fasting. The Pharisees in that era were particularly focused on appearing to fast. Among the Jews, regular cleansing of the body and anointing of the head was customary, which was essential in the warm climate of Palestine. However, the Pharisees refrained from washing, neglected their hair, donned worn garments, and sprinkled ashes on their heads—all to attract attention and mislead others with their conspicuous display. Their fast was not genuine; they merely feigned fasting, and the people they deceived commended them for this apparent devotion, fulfilling the superficial motive behind their hypocrisy. Christ, however, calls His followers to a different practice of fasting. When fasting, do not wear a somber face or alter your appearance; strive not to draw attention to yourselves. Your fast should be for your own sake, not for others, as you fast before your heavenly Father, who perceives all that you do in secret and even knows your innermost thoughts. He sees your good deeds, prayers, and fasting performed away from the public eye, and will reward you openly for them. It has been previously stated that the teachings of Christ do not prohibit visible expressions of good works and prayers, provided they are not done for human recognition; nor does it forbid visible fasting, if it serves to bring the body into alignment with the spirit, facilitating prayer and repentance, rather than being performed for the acclaim of others."}]}
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