Quote/s of the Day – 18 February – Friday after Ash Wednesday, Readings: Isaiah 58:1-9, Psalms 51:3-4, 5-6, 18-19, Matthew 9:14-15
“Then they will fast”
Matthew 9:15
“The days will come,
when the bridegroom is taken away from them
and then they will fast in that day.”
Mark 2:20
“Fasting cleanses the soul,
raises the mind,
subjects one’s flesh to the spirit,
renders the heart contrite and humble,
scatters the clouds of concupiscence,
quenches the fire of lust
and kindles the true light of chastity.
Enter again into yourself!”
St Augustine (354-430)
Bishop of Hippo
Father and Doctor of Grace
“Prayer, mercy and fasting:
These three are one
and they give life to each other.
Fasting is the soul of prayer;
mercy is the lifeblood of fasting.
Let no-one try to separate them;
they cannot be separated.
If you have only one of them,
or not all together, you have nothing.”
“So if you pray, fast;
if you fast, show mercy;
if you want your petition to be heared,
hear the petition of others.
When you fast, see the fasting of others.
If you hope for mercy, show mercy.
If you look for kindness, show kindness.
If you want to receive, give.”
St Peter Chrysologus (400-450)
Bishop of Ravenna
Father and Doctor of Homilies
“Let my fasting be based on temperance,
my soul in a state of grace,
my intention solely to please God,
then my efforts will ring true,
fit to enlarge my store of charity.”
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Bishop of Geneva OFM, Cap.
Doctor Caritatis
AnaStpaul 