By St. Leo the Great
(Sermon 18: On the Fast of The Tenth Month, VII)
CHAPTER I - That although the soul has been reborn and is inclined of itself toward worse things, it is also fortified by many aids through God’s kindness.
The aids, dearly beloved, that have been divinely established for the sanctification of our minds and bodies are renewed without interruption with the cycles of days and seasons, so that the very medicine of our weaknesses may remind us of them. For a nature that is changeable and mortal from the stain of sin — although already redeemed and reborn through Holy Baptism — is, insofar as it is still subject to suffering, so far inclined toward worse things. It would be corrupted by fleshly desire unless it were fortified by spiritual aid; for just as there is never lacking something by which it might fall, so there is always present something by which it may stand, as the Apostle says: “For God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but will also make a way of escape, that you may be able to endure” (1 Cor. 10:13).
Therefore, although the Lord protects those who fight, and He who is mighty in battle (Ps. 23:8) exhorts His soldiers and says, “Do not fear, for I have overcome the world” (John 16:33), it must nevertheless be understood, dearly beloved, that by this encouragement fear has been removed, not the contest; and although the sting of fear is blunted, the cause of struggle still remains. For the cunning enemy stirs up the conflict terribly through the fury of persecution, but more harmfully inflicts it under the appearance of peace.
For where battles are open, there also are the crowns manifest. And this itself nourishes and inflames the strength of patience: that as tribulation is near, so also is the promise close at hand. But when the public assaults of the wicked cease, and the devil refrains from massacres and tortures of the faithful, lest by the stubbornness of his cruelties the triumphs of our people increase, the raging adversary turns bloody hostilities into quiet ambushes: so that those whom he could not overcome by hunger and cold, by flames or sword, he might soften by idleness, entangle with desires, swell with ambition, and corrupt with pleasure.
CHAPTER II - That a common fast is appointed for the whole Church, so that the devil may be overcome both in part and in full strength.
But against these and all other such things, the Christian army possesses powerful defenses and victorious weapons, while the Spirit of truth instructs His soldiers: gentleness extinguishes anger, generosity destroys avarice, and kindness quenches envy. For as the right hand of the Most High transforms the hearts of many, the old state has passed into newness, and from servants of iniquity have arisen ministers of righteousness. Continence has subdued lust, humility has driven away pride; and those who were defiled by impurity have shone with chastity.
To these conversions, dearly beloved, the providence of God’s grace has added holy fasts, which on certain days require from the whole Church the devotion of a common observance. For although it is good and praiseworthy that each individual member of the Body of Christ be adorned with its own proper duties, it is nevertheless a work of higher and holier virtue when the hearts of the faithful converge in a single intention: so that He to whom our sanctification is a supplication may be overcome not only in part but also in full strength.
To this work, dearly beloved, the tenth month is now offered, reminding us by the nature of its season that no one should grow numb with the cold of unbelief, but rather be strengthened by the spirit of charity. For through the very elements of the world, as through public pages, we receive signs of the divine will; and heavenly instruction never ceases, since we are even taught by those things that serve us.
CHAPTER III - Christ condemned the barren tree to commend works of mercy. - That the Christian is continually attacked, and what weapons the devout possess against invisible enemies.
Besides that apostolic saying in which people lacking the fruit of piety are compared to barren trees, we must also beware the fig tree of whose unfruitfulness the Lord Jesus, as the Gospel recounts, condemned it to perpetual sterility because, when hungry, He found nothing on it to eat — so that we might understand that one who does not refresh the hungry refuses food to Him who said that what is given to the poor is given to Himself. And such trees will be those to whom the Judge will say: “Depart from Me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry, and you did not give Me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me no drink,” etc. (Matt. 25:41–42).
These things are recalled so that we may recognize that he will not be excluded from mercy who has fulfilled even a part of these works. But the soul that helps no one will be a tree without fruit, being found devoid of all piety.
Therefore, the fast of the tenth month — wintertime — calls us to a mystical agriculture, in which the strength of grain, vine, and trees (by which human frailty is sustained) is cultivated by spiritual labor: so that the field of the Lord may be enriched by our offerings and, which it is never fitting to leave without fruit, may become more abundant by its own produce.
Your holiness understands that this must be referred to the progress of the whole Church, whose growth is in faith, increase in hope, and maturity in charity. For the discipline of the body and the earnestness of prayer obtain true purity only when strengthened by the sanctification of almsgiving, as the Lord says: “Give alms, and behold, all things are clean for you” (Luke 11:41).
Therefore, let us fast on Wednesday and Friday; and on Saturday let us keep vigil at the church of the most blessed Apostle Peter, with His grace presiding and assisting, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.
Source: Migne
P.L. 54. Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
