First Christian Voices: Practices of the Apostolic Fathers

Chapter 2: The Godhead

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Therefore, if we truly understand we should recognize the gracious intention of our Father. For He speaks to us and desires that we should ask how we should approach Him and not go astray like them. To us, then, He declares, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a smell of sweet savor to the Lord is a heart that glorifies Him who made it” ( Ps 51:17 ). We should therefore, friends, pay careful attention to our salvation in case the Wicked One, having made his entrance by deceit, should hurl us away from our life. He says then to them again concerning these things, Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself? Yet though you bend your neck like a ring, and put upon you sackcloth and ashes, will you call it an acceptable fast? ( Isa 58:4–5 ) To us He says, Behold, is not this the fast that I choose: not that a person should humble his soul, but that he should loose the bonds of wickedness, undo the straps of the yoke, let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be