When You Fast…
When you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others, but by your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:16-18)
Abba Pambo asked Abba Anthony, “What ought I to do?” and the old man said to him, “Do not trust in your own righteousness, do not worry about the past, but control your tongue and your stomach.”
We are only two days from the beginning of the season of Lent. Lent brings with it many ascetical practices meant to help us grow in the spiritual life, one of which is fasting. Fasting is not often practiced in our American culture of immediate gratification, nor is it well understood, even among Christians. There is a long history of fasting in the Church that is meant to empty our hearts of sin, idolatry, and the unhealthy passions that leave no room for us to hear God’s voice and to follow his call to holiness. We might begin with Paul’s letter to the Philippians when he instructs the community with these words:
“There are so many people of whom I have often warned you, and now I warn you with tears in my eyes, who behave like the enemies of Christ’s cross. They are destined to be lost; their god is the stomach; they glory in what they should think shameful, since their minds are set on earthly things.” (Philippians 3: 18-19)
It is critical to keep in mind moderation when setting out to fast. We can easily fall victim to setting unattainable goals and suffer defeat before we even begin our Lenten journey together. It is best to take a serious look at where we stand currently in our spiritual life and set goals that we know are within our reach. They need not be easy goals, but they certainly should be attainable. There are two common mistakes that keep Christians from the growth that can come through fasting. The first is avoiding it altogether. Many people today see no value in attempting to control our own passions and desires. This is very apparent when we look at the current financial crisis facing our nation. Too many of us were unwilling to control our spending and now we are facing the harsh consequences of our lack of discipline. The second mistake is to make fasting into a contest, either with others or simply by believing that we are somehow earning God’s favor through strictly following dietary laws. I had a classmate in the seminary who was struggling to understand God’s will in his life and decided that the best way to deal with his uncertainty was to go on a strict fast until God gave him a clear answer. The fast ended abruptly when he passed out a few days later during the daily liturgy.
If our fasting is to have a positive effect in our lives it needs to be focused on the Lord and on learning how to better live the Gospel. Back in December, my JustFaith group decided to fast one day a week together during Advent in order to give more food to the poor. It was difficult for most of us, but we grew in our appreciation for what it is like to be hungry and were given a weekly reminder of the duty each Christian has to serve those who are the least among us. We also attempted a more difficult fast that was meant to open up a larger space for God through prayer. We took on the task of fasting one day a week from technology. No televison, no internet, no cell phones were allowed, with the exception of what was needed to carry out our work. This proved to be much more of a challenge and it was a measure for each of us of how much time we give to technology that could be used for prayer, family, friends and other areas of our Christian life that often go neglected.
As we approach the end of our preparation for Lent let us pray that by choosing to eat less and living more simply we may create a hunger within ourselves which can only be satisfied by God Himself.
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Wise words, Father. We have to understand that we don’t fast for God (He doesn’t need our fasting, and as the Fathers say, the demons never eat…), we fast for ourselves. Fasting is not about fighting against the body, but fighting against our passions FOR the body and reclaiming it for service to God instead of serving our appetites as St. Paul says. Blessed Lent!
Thank you for this timely reminder, Father Christian! I hope you have a very blessed and peaceful and meaningful Lent.
Fasting reminds us that human beings are by nature hungry. We were created hungry. As you conclude in your post our natural and deepest hunger is for God. Fasting helps me feel my real hunger and see the ways in which I try to satisfy instead of follow my hunger.
Thank you father for the wisdom,
This is a great idea of fasting from technology. Just remind me for too much I have been used it. Lord have mercy!
Bless me, Father!
Pilgrim from Indonesia
I have a much better suggestion: Eat what you want, but empty your mind. A full mind is a much bigger obstacle than a full stomach.
There is nothing at all contrary in Christian practice to clearing our minds and thoughts, but usually with the intent of allowing ourselves to be more attuned to God, to get to the kind of silence where we can hear more clearly is certainly a difficult task.
Christians, however, in our best moments are seeking not only to seek God with our minds, but with our entire selves, bodies included. One of the traps that modern Christians tend to fall into, in my opinion, is to separate our body from the picture. It is one reason why I have been studying iconography. It is primarily a form of prayer, but a very physical one at times.
My goal, though I fail many times in attempting to carry it out, is to work on body, mind and spirit.
I have a very limited experience of Taoism, but I would imagine that our goals, though similar in some areas, are not exactly the same.
II have a very limited experience of Taoism, but I would imagine that our goals, though similar in some areas, are not exactly the same.
Probably not. What separates a philosophical Taoist from a Christian (or believer of other religions) is the concept of a deity. Taoists accept the notion there is a mysterious something that binds the universe, but we do not believe in a personified being, God.
As to the topic at hand, sage Lao Tzu wrote that a filled belly is more of a help, than a hindrance, in becoming one with Tao.
That is what I meant in saying are goals are not exactly the same. I have friends for instance who practice Buddhist meditation in order to escape the false reality of the world. As a Christian, I have used similar practices, but for the purpose of quieting my body and mind to be better attuned to God.
There is certainly a difference between a philosophy and a religion. At any rate, I appreciate the comments. This blog was created primarily to provide food for thought for other Christians, but it is never a bad thing to enter into respectful dialogue with anyone. But it is likely we will continue to disagree on the value of fasting.