After the period of abstinence, do not eat greedily

[Mary Naeem]

Pope Shenouda III






After the period of abstinence, do not eat greedily, for he who abstains from food, then eats what he covets, or chooses certain foods that he enjoys, has not subdued his body, humiliated it, nor rid it of its lusts. This indicates that he has not benefited spiritually from the period of abstinence, a time of renunciation and asceticism if he greedily eats what he lusts for. Look at what the Prophet Daniel said about his fast: “I ate no pleasant food.” (Dan 10:3).
It is like he who demolishes what he has built... all in vain! Fasting is not to build then demolish, and build again only to demolish, without the desire for growth!