Fasting

Last post I mentioned that we'd be jumping around a little. This post I'm skipping Jesus' discussion on Prayer in Matthew 6, and going for His blurb on Fasting. Next post, I'll jump back to prayer.

Matthew 6:16-18

'When you are fasting, do not put on a gloomy look as the hypocrites do: they go about looking unsightly to let people know they are fasting. In truth I tell you, they have had their reward. But when you fast, put scent on your head and wash your face, so that no one will know you are fasting except your Father who sees all that is done in secret; and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.'

Jesus here is saying the same thing about fasting as He does about almsgiving: namely, don't show off about it. Fasting is a powerful spiritual discipline, but if we are doing it for the wrong reasons, the numerous benefits that we would otherwise achieve are nullified, and all that will come from it is that people will think you're super-spiritual (that is, if they don't see right through the act and think you're just a dork).

Fasting is an act of repentance--of making a sacrifice in order to draw closer to God. Now, for it to be a real sacrifice, you have to give up something good, something that is on the one hand, not wrong (you can't "fast" from sin--you should be giving that up, anyway!), and on the other hand, it has to be something that you like (fasting from Pepsi, for me, definitely wouldn't count. Neither would turnips, squash, or brussel sprouts! For you all, I'll say it here, definitively: Giving up homework does not count!). When we give something good up, we are recognising that as good as something is, there is something infinitely better--and we seek that good, Who is God. For example, the traditional fast is from food, and when we give up a meal, or several meals, we are saying that as good and as necessary as food is to our lives, God is infinitely better, and more necessary.

But giving something up (be it food, or television, or videogames) isn't the end of the story. When we give something up, we have to replace it with something. If we're giving up a good thing in order to gain a better One, then we actually have to be seeking that better One in our fast! When we feel the cravings for what we have given up, it is a reminder to seek out Jesus in prayer. When we are tempted to selfishly quit early, it is a reminder to selflessly help meet the needs of others. We have to actively seek God in our fast, otherwise there is no point. If our fast does not change our hearts to desire more of God, then honestly, we've just wasted our time.

Centuries before Christ, the prophet Isaiah made the same point, in the 58th passage of his book. When the Israelite people fasted without actually trying to love God or help others, they whined in frustration, "'Why have we fasted, if You do not see, why mortify ourselves if You never notice?'" (v. 3a). In reply, God, speaking through His prophet, says this:

Look, you seek your own pleasure on your fastdays
And you exploit all your workmen;
Look, the only purpose of your fasting is to quarrel and squabble
And strike viciously with your fist.
Fasting like yours today
Will never make your voice heard on high.
Is that the sort of fast that pleases Me,
A day when a person inflicts pain on himself?
Hanging your head like a reed,
Spreading out sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call fasting,
A day acceptable to Yahweh?
Is not this the sort of fast that pleases Me:
To break unjust fetters,
To undo the thongs of the yoke,
To let the oppressed go free,
And to break all yokes?
Is it not sharing your food with the hungry,
And sheltering the homeless poor;
If you see someone lacking clothes, to clothe him,
And not to turn away from your own kin?
Then your light will blaze out like the dawn
And your wound be quickly healed over.
Saving justice will go ahead of you
And Yahweh's glory come behind you. (Is. 58:3b-8)

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. It is the Church's primary season of penitence as we prepare to celebrate the Passion and Death, and Resurrection of Our Lord! Let us make this season a true fast, keeping in mind the Lord's words from Isaiah, and let us seek Him with all of our hearts.

Our Youth Ministry has been invited to participate in a wonderful outreach, in order to practice almsgiving on a dynamically large scale, by participating in the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace's program, "ThinkFast." The Chaplain at St. Ignatius of Loyola has invited us to join them as they do it from 3 pm March 3 to 3 pm March 4. If you don't know what ThinkFast is, it's raising money for D&P, so that they can send it to help countries that are afflicted with starvation, lack of clean water, or other injustices, so that permanent social change can be implemented. At the same time, we'll be fasting for 24 hours in solidarity with those who are starving for much, much longer periods. More, ThinkFast involves fun, learning, and worship throughout the night, and will end with a multicultural potluck on Saturday, which will last until 4. If you want to participate, please let me know! You'll need to raise at least $40.

That same Saturday, we'll be watching The Passion of the Christ here at the Church. Each Friday night of Lent, at 7, we'll be discussing it, as well as praying the Stations of the Cross. Feel free to join us!

God bless
Gregory