To Fast or not to Fast–that is the question!

To Fast or not to Fast–that is the question!

      Indeed–here is a typical Lenten question, but I am sorry to say it’s the wrong one for us. Why are we fasting, or even thinking about fasting–—those are the questions at the heart of the biblical witness of fasting in the Old Testament and in the New. In the earliest expressions of faith, fasting was an offering made to God in response to sin. The believer undertook a fast in response to, or in the face of, their own sin or that of others. Looking into themselves and recognizing that they were in sore need of God and God’s direction, a penitent offered time, energy, reflection, and most of all, his or her obedience to God.

     The point of fasting was thus not to deny the self some food and suffer in hunger as a form of self-punishment, but to interrupt the regular flow of life. When King David sinned before the Lord, David refused to eat and immediately went into prayer and fasting. David recognized the power of the fast and hoped that he might find grace in the eyes of God. Sadly, he did not because his fast was self-focused and selfish.

     Properly understood, fasting is something we do, but our focus is on God. In the fast, we offer our restraint and sacrifice essentials as we offer ourselves to God as God’s own possession. Esther fasted and asked the Jewish people to fast with her for three days as a plea for divine intervention. King Ahasuerus had decreed the death of all the Jewish people, and Esther pleaded for a reprieve; in response, God honored her fast and saved the people. When Jonah brought the word to the Ninevites that they were condemned in the eyes of God, they believed Jonah’s proclamation and fasted, seeking God’s mercy—they received it.

       In the New Testament Jesus teaches on fasting in the Sermon on the Mount saying, “Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” Matt.6:16-18  Here in this passage, Jesus continues the Old Testament witness of fasting as an event in the life of the individual, which is primarily between the person and God. The effect is the elevation of the spirit and mind through the deprivation of the senses by interrupting the status quo. This elevation brings us closer to God and illuminates the true essential of God’s purpose and person.

       Speaking personally, I have experienced the distracting result of fasting, thinking about food when I don’t usually do that, but when I do I am reminded of why I have undertaken this discipline—to delve deeper into the love of God. Yes, it is about the love of God, for to know God and to live into God’s presence is to experience love! This is why Jesus tells us not to look gloomy, because if we do or are, then we have not undertaken our fast with the right mind, heart, or spirit.

     In contrast, when these three are aligned, the spiritual discipline can be particularly illuminating. Note that in Acts, (chs. 9, 13, 14) the leaders of the church undertake fasting to help them understand the will of God, to help them focus on God’s will. Fasting is always this way. With Jesus and the Apostles, the fast is a way of honoring God and seeking His will and a deeper sense of His presence.

     I have embraced the topic for our week ahead because we are now fully into Lent– a season of preparation like no other for ready-ing our hearts and minds–preparing our lives–to receive the news of the empty tomb, that much closer to the God who emptied it. And to appreciate the fullness of the spirit found in an empty stomach. Friends, this is our starting point. When Jesus set out on the path of ministry, He began with a fast—for forty days! 

     While we are not called to such duration, I encourage you to adopt the depth and singular focus of a personal fast. A day, a meal, three days, a helping—there are all manner of fasts we can enter into. Put bluntly, there is a fast to fit everyone. If you would like help refining yours, please call me. I am happy to help, pray, and plan it with you. May your Lenten journey be filled with an active emptying, such that only our God can fill—and He will!

Going without for God,
​
Fr. Bill+