During the liturgical season of Lent, the Church encourages us to use the venerated practices of fasting, prayer and almsgiving in order to rid ourselves of self-serving behaviour and to re-focus our efforts on gospel values. One of the traditions of this sacred time is that of fasting, but how are we to understand the true meaning of this discipline?
The prophet Isaiah challenges us to honestly examine the intent of our fasting. He warns that if the aim of our discipline is self-serving, it will be ineffective, ending in quarrelling and fighting (Is 58:4). Instead, if we sincerely use fasting as a method of drawing closer to God, it will help us to become more aware of the needs of others and also to find creative ways to respond to their needs (cf Is 58:6-7).
Fasting is traditionally observed on Fridays in the season of Lent. While we most often think of fasting from eating meat, there are many other ways of using this discipline as a way of waking us up to the needs of others. Perhaps some of us may need to fast from food, but we can also fast from television, from whiling away our spare time sitting in front of a computer, from whatever habit we have developed that keeps us focused on our own desires.
Once we have identified the fasting that we need, we will be better able to respond to God's call: Return to me with your whole heart (Joel 2:12).
Have a great day.
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