From Saint Cyril.❧
56 They move over from one set of accusations to another, once they have received an
explanation for the first, wanting to contrive an opportunity and to denounce the
holy disciples and Jesus himself with them as caring little for the law. For they say,
‘Yes, you feast with tax-collectors and sinners, although the law commands that the
one who is pure should not be associated with those who are impure. Your excuse
for transgressing the law is concern for others. Why do you not fast, as is the
custom for those
who are proper and
wish to live by the law?’
In response to such claims
someone might say,
‘Do you, Jew, fully know
the way of fasting?
Have you ever fasted
according to the
will of God? For as
the prophet Isaiah
says, “In the days
› of your fasts
› you find your
› own wishes
› and you goad
but those who are sick; 5:32I
have come to call not the righteous
but sinners to repentance.’
5:33 39 56
39￣ Then they said to him,
‘John’s disciples, like the
disciples of the Pharisees,
frequently fast and pray,
but your disciples eat and
drink.’
› all those subject to you. If you fast for lawsuits and fights and you strike the humble
› one with fists, why do you fast for me? This is not the fast which I have chosen
› says the Lord.” * How then do you, who does not know how to fast, blame the holy
apostles that they do not fast in your manner?❧