The Proof of Fasting

The last post on the death of Fr. Peter Knowles prompted me to read a little of St. John Chrysostom, the "Golden-mouthed" Patriarch of Constantinople. Fr. Knowles was well-known for keeping the fasts of the Eastern rites and in one of St. John's writings there is a wonderful passage on keeping a true fast:

Do you fast?
Give me proof of it by your works.
If you see a poor man, take pity on him.
If you see a friend being honoured, do not envy him.
Do not let your mouth fast, but also the eye, and the ear, and the feet, and the hands, and all the members of our bodies.
Let the hands fast, by being free avarice.
Let the feet fast, by ceasing to run after sin.
Let the eyes fast, by disciplining them not to glare at that which is sinful.
Let the ears fast, by not listening to evil talk and gossip.
Let the mouth fast from foul words and unjust criticism.
For what good is it if we abstain from birds and fishes, but bite and devour our brothers?

(Taken from Daily Readings From the Writings of St. John Chrysostom, edited by Anthony M. Coniaris.)