On Lent

The Jew rejoices in sabbaths and feast days;
and a monk who is a glutton on Saturdays and Sundays.
He counts beforehand the days till Pascha,
and he prepares the food for it several days in advance.
The slave of his belly calculates
with what dishes he will celebrate the feast,
but the servant of God considers
with what spiritual gifts he may be enriched.
- St John of the Ladder