+JMJ+ 

“Why Fasting?” 

Deacon Michael Scanga

Most of us have been taught from a young age to eat our “three square meals a day.” It is good for us to eat well in order to grow and sustain our bodies which are gifts from God (1 Cor 6:19). But, while eating is necessary, the Scriptures reveal that God calls us sometimes to embrace the practice of fasting, which is the limiting of our eating in order to deepen our communion with God. God exhorts through the prophet Joel, “Return to me with your whole heart, with fasting.” (Joel 2:12). In the Gospels, Jesus Himself fasted for 40 days and “he was hungry” (Mt 4:2). He said that after His Resurrection and Ascension (the time in which we live), His disciples “will fast” (Mt 9:15). He said, “When you fast…” (Mt 6:16)—implying that we will be fasting—and said that certain evil spirits cannot be driven out of souls apart from “prayer and fasting” (Mt 9:29). The earliest Christians fasted (Acts 13:2,3; 14:23; 27:9); it has long been a regular practice of Christians until recently, but, there is no reason for its disappearance as the Church and the Scriptures have not ceased to emphasize its importance. Why does God want us to fast and why should we do it? 

Jesus points us to the goal of fasting—union with His Father (Mk 6:18). Fasting can strengthen our union with God in several ways. First, it can “detach” our hearts from the love of earthly pleasures, which can teach us to seek and love God first before everything else (Mt 6:33). If we love anything, even good things like food, more than we love God, that thing becomes our “false god” and ultimately will disappoint us and destroy our souls forever (Ex 20:3). By foregoing things we love, we essentially say with our deeds, “God, I love you more!”

Second, fasting can make us humble. Humility is knowing who we are before Our Father, upon whom we depend entirely. “Unless you become like a little child, you cannot enter the kingdom of God” (Mt 18:3). If we want to go to heaven then, we must to let ourselves be weak, like little babies who are not strong and must be scooped up in the loving hands of Our Father. Humility is the way of the Cross, the way of Jesus Crucified. There is no other way to the Father (Mk 8:34; Mt 20:27). Sin is thinking that we can live without God. When I’m hungry, I remember that I need more than food; I deeply need God. 

Last, fasting makes us hungry for God, as this need becomes want. There’s a deep connection between our bodies and souls. Physical hunger makes us seek food; as it reminds of spiritual hunger, it drives us to pray. Prayer is the soul of fasting. Jesus always linked fasting with prayer (Mt 6: 5, 16; 9:29). When we pray, we lift up our empty hearts to God who is ready to fill them with his love, just like a loving mother is ready to fill the empty plate her child stretches out to her (Jn 6:35). 

So how do we fast? 

Through fasting, may we grow in love for Jesus Christ. He will invite us to feast and rejoice in His Easter victory with Him! At Easter, we will be able to enjoy the food we eat in order to glorify God and be much less prone to make a “false god” out of the pleasure of our food. “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor 10:31).

“Live Lent,” hosted by Deacon Michael, will be held on Sundays March 30th , April 6 th & 13th from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the St. John Capistran Hall. This program will teach you about the Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving and help you prepare for Easter! You will grow in your relationship with God through prayer and sharing with others. You’ll also learn about the Easter Triduum. Bring a friend! Questions: [email protected]  glorify God and be much less prone to make a “false god” out of the pleasure of our food.