My Thoughts About Fasting

Lent is the forty days preparation for the Easter. It starts from Ash Wednesday and ends on the celebration of the Last Supper. During this season, we, Catholics believe that fasting is required to prepare ourselves. I always hear from some people that fasting is required or meat is forbidden during this time.

Fasting is part of religious life all over the world. In a fast, the believer chooses, for a time, to do without something that is hard to do without. This is done so it does not come between the believer and God, so it cannot act as a God over that relationship and over our lives.

Usually, fasting is to do without food. Food is one great blessing of God in our lives, a true pleasure and a true necessity. But humans tend to be gluttons; we want to eat more. Our hunger can compel us, force our hand, occupy our thoughts. When we have anything in our lives that we don't or can't say "no" to, then it is lording over us. God is in control. If something else takes up God's place in our lives, it is an idol, and we are living in something akin to idolatry. Fasting helps us bring back enough control.

You can fast from some foods, and not others. You can fast from watching television or having sex.You can fast from hobbies you crave, things you are unhealthily drawn to such as music, books, news, and movies. You might even find it necessary to be fasting from use of the Internet.

You don't need to fast to be saved.Fasting can be helpful, but is not at all required.

Sufferings caused by fasts are not an excuse for being grouchy, stingy, or rude. Fasting can make your mind get weak and unable to focus, which may lead to angry or delusional reactions. When it does, stop fasting, because you're starting to harm yourself and you're bearing a bad witness to God's love.

Jesus speaks of the hypocrites who fast so that other people are impressed. Fasting is not for getting others to say, "wow, this is one holy dude". Fasts are between yourself and God.

"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.