Why Prayer, Fasting & Almsgiving?

Following on with our Lenten theme, I thought I'd share a few thoughts on fasting. I'll attempt to paraphrase a short article "A Reflection on Lenten Fasting" by Rev. Daniel Merz which can be found on the USCCB website. In the early Church there were two fasts. One was the "total fast" that preceded all major feasts or sacramental events. It was a means of watching and waiting… preparing for something (Christ). The second fast was a fast of abstinence from certain foods, e.g., meats or fats. This was more an act of self-discipline and self-control. We're going to focus on the first which is generally referred to as fasting.

Christian fasting is revealed in an interdependence between two events in the Bible: the"breaking of the fast" by Adam and Eve (when they ate the apple); and the "keeping of the fast" by Christ at the beginning of his ministry (His 40 days in the desert being tempted by the devil).

During his fast Christ said, "Man does not live by bread alone." (Mt. 4:4; Lk. 4:4) This liberates us from total dependence on food, on matter, on the world. Thus, for the Christian, fasting is the only means by which man recovers his true spiritual nature. In order for fasting to be effective, then, the spirit must bea part of it. Christian fasting is a matter of prayer and the spirit and true fasting may well lead to temptation, and weakness and doubt and irritation. It will be a real fight between good and evil. It will be a time when we can and should call out to God for assistance and grace. It's likely that we may fail many times in these battles. But it's in the sacrifice, the failing, the calling to God, His forgiveness and the triumph that we grow. The very discovery of the Christian life as "fight" and "effort" is an essential aspect of fasting.

Christian tradition can name at least seven reasons for fasting (read Rev Merz's full article to appreciate the context of each):

• From the beginning, God commanded some fasting (from the tree of knowledge), and sin entered into the world because Adam and Eve broke the fast.
• For the Christian, fasting is ultimately about fasting from sin.
• Fasting reveals our dependence on God and not the resources of this world.
• Fasting is an ancient way of preparing for the Eucharist—the truest of foods.
• Fasting is preparation for baptism (and all the sacraments)—for the reception of grace.
• Fasting is a means of saving resources to give to the poor. Fasting is a means of self-discipline, chastity, and the restraining of the appetites.

We're expected to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, but many Catholics practice regular fasting as a means to grow in their prayer life and ultimately their relationship with God. Are you ready to give it a try?