Some Considerations Regarding Fasting
I once heard a family member of mine say “Why would I fast at all? Going for a little while without food isn’t that hard. It’s just a silly rule.” I feel as though many people share this sentiment, and there is a lack of understanding surrounding this practice. As we rapidly approach Lent, it would be advantageous to remind ourselves of why we partake in these acts of penance and fasting.
Historically, fasting has consistently been a part of the Judeo-Christian experience and is deeply biblical. It used to be an extremely common practice among Christians and is still prevalent for Eastern Catholics. The books of Tobit, Baruch, Nehemiah, Judith, Esther, Psalms, Daniel, Joel, Jonah, Maccabees, the Gospels (there’s more but you get the point) all mention its use. Ezra 8:21–23 is a prime example of its application. They institute a fast to pray for a safe journey; God answers their plea. Perhaps the most well-known mention of fasting in the bible is Mark 9:29 when Jesus is talking about exorcising a demon. “And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting” — RSVCE. Here, we see that not only is fasting acceptable to God and a powerful counterpart to prayer, but even necessary in certain situations.
Even with this knowledge, it can be hard to see the current benefit of fasting. So, what can it do for us? Again, let us turn to the Bible. In Psalms 35 and 69, David speaks of fasting’s power to humble his soul. As King, if there was anyone who would know about ways that actually can help cut down pride, it would be him. Furthermore, Esther 4:3,16 describes how she intensely commanded the Jews to not eat or drink for three days for atonement of sin, adding “if I perish, I perish!”. While Jesus did wipe away the eternal penalty of sin, we can still atone for our temporal consequences through fasting. Having a humble and clean soul is invaluable, especially living today, when pride is celebrated and temptation lurks at every corner. Pope Saint John Paul II implored us to strive to be a holier Church through the use of fasting. In his 1995 letter Orientale Lumen, he calls for us to purify ourselves with this practice because it unifies and strengthens the Body of Christ.
That leaves with the question: “How do we fast well?” Luckily for us, Jesus gives us instructions! “When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.” — Mark 6:16–18.
There are several things that we can take away from this passage. First, pride can undermine our penitential efforts. If we fast with the wrong intentions, it will be a fruitless effort. Fasting is not something to do to appear holy, or even a version of some spiritual sport or competition. Rather, it is done to orient our souls to God and call to mind our true dependence on Him. Therefore, a good fast will also be accompanied by prayer and humility. Lastly, fasting isn’t a sad occasion. While we do contemplate the approaching death of our Lord during Lent, we should also take solace in the fact that we are able to make an effort to clean our souls and grow closer to Christ. Lent and acts of penance, while they are full of suffering, are also joyous!
So, this Lent when a cold, underwhelming fish sandwich is your only meal of the day, do not get mad that fasting is sometimes required. Rather, be thankful that the Church has set aside a time for us to be united in prayer and penitential acts, which we know to be beneficial!
