Atos 10

Atos 10:9

And concerning Simon, moreover, it is written that "he went up to the roof to pray at the time of the ninth hour, and he was an hungered, and wished to eat," and he told them to make ready for him. And by this example the Book teacheth thee that, in addition to constant instruction, and prayers at every hour, he prayed continually also at the stated seasons which are those of the common service, and that together with prayer was his fasting continual. That he was hungry and wished to eat at the ninth hour sheweth that his hunger arose from Divine dispensation and not from habit, and that he had not a rule for eating at that season, and it is evident from what he saith that when he went up to the roof to pray hunger suddenly fell upon him, and that he left his prayers and told them to prepare food for him. And if it had been the season when he was accustomed to eat, those who received him would have made ready for him according to their wont, but from the fact that he commanded them to prepare for him, it is evident that he became hungry through Divine dispensation, that by the passion of his hunger he might receive the teaching of the things which were spoken unto him, his fasting being continual. — 13 Ascetic Discourses, Discourse 11 -- On Abstinence