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What the Fathers say
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
It is usual, therefore, to ask what He means, when He says: "But ye, when ye fast, anoint your head, and wash your faces, that ye appear not unto men to fast." For it would not be right in any one to teach (although we may wash our face according to daily custom) that we ought also to have our heads anointed when we fast. If, then, all admit this to be most unseemly, we must understand this precept with respect to anointing the head and washing the face as referring to the inner man. …
Thomas Aquinas
That thou appear not to men to fast. This is the reason. It should be understood of individual fasting, not of communal fasting. But to thy Father who is in secret, of eternity: "It is hidden from the eyes" (Job 28:21); or "in the secret" of conscience, because God dwells in us through faith (Eph 3:17). Will repay thee: "He will render to every man according to his works" (Rom 2:6); "Searching hearts and minds" (Ps 7:9).
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