Fasting has become somewhat foreign to western society, and even viewed as something exotic. To many, the Islamic observance of Ramadan, where Muslims abstain from all food and drink from sunrise to sunset, is somewhat mysterious and mystical. During this last month of Ramadan, I saw a news story on TV where the viewers were asked to imagine how a fig would explode with flavour in your mouth if you had fasted all day. As well, often a character in movies that has been deprived of food for a day looses all etiquette when they are finally able to eat. Does fasting produce such reactions? No! Fasting is not exotic, nor is it difficult, although it can sometimes be mystical.
Many devout Catholics are no stranger to fasting. Sure most give up a couple of foods, such as chocolate and candies during Lent, or don't eat meat on Friday, but I'm talking about a much stricter fast.
One of the most common fasts is a bread and water fast. That's right: only bread and water for a whole day. It's not really as hard as it sounds, although you do get sick and tired of bread when you do this regularly (I usually only eat bread when I'm fasting). Another common fast is a juice fast. This is a good alternative for those that are gluten intolerant or have to worry about low blood sugar. Some are even able to fast on only water, but this is typically too severe for most. Fasting from even water is not only severe but unhealthy when done for very long, so I'm not recommending it.
The length of time for a Christian fast is normally one day. How to interpret "one day" can vary. One day can be from the time one goes to bed until the morning after the next (approximately 32 hours). One day can be literally 24 Hours, ending the same time that one starts the next day. One day can also be almost 24 hours, beginning after supper one day (no dessert), and ending just before supper the next day.
When my children were small, I would do the "almost 24 hours" fast. That way they would see me eat every supper and I could tell them to do the same. Now that my children are older, I do the "literally 24 hour fast." I start between 6:00 and 8:00 one evening, and end at 8:00 the next evening. This allows me to have popcorn Friday night while I watch a movie.
Friday and Wednesday are traditionally the two days of the week when Christians fast. Jews originally fasted on Monday and Thursday; however, Christians, a Jewish sect founded in the first century, changed these fast days to Wednesday and Friday: Friday because Jesus was crucified on a Friday; and Wednesday because Jesus' betrayal was engineered on a Wednesday.
Bless those who curse you, and pray for your enemies: fast for those who persecute you... Before the Baptism, let the one baptizing and the one to be baptized fast, as also any others who are able. Command the one who is to be baptized to fast beforehand for one or two days... Do not let your fasts be with the hypocrites. They fast on Monday and Thursday; but you shall fast on Wednesday and Friday." (Didache 1:3, 7:4, 8:1).
The Didache shows that the early Christians fasted, as does the New Testament (cf. Acts 13:2,3, 14:23). We also know that Jesus fasted (cf. Matthew 4:2, Luke 4:2), gave instructions on how to fast (cf. Matthew 6:16-18), and said there will be a time to fast (cf. Matthew 9:14-15, Mark 2:18-20, Luke 5:33-35). But why do Christians fast?
There are a number of reasons for Christians to fast, but since my five minutes are almost up, I will only highlight a few of them: it is a form of prayer, much like using candles and incense; abstaining from food is good practice for abstaining from sinful acts; it helps us to recognise our abundant blessings; and it puts us in solidarity with the poor who fast without any choice in the matter. One of the most important reasons to fast is that it helps prepare ourselves for the heavenly banquet awaiting us, when there will be no more fasting.
If you've never done a strict religious fast, this December 22nd is a good time to start. The bishops of North Africa and Arab countries have made an appeal to Churches worldwide to show more commitment to peace in the Holy Land by observing a day of fasting. "We, the bishops of the two conferences, propose to our communities that Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2004, be a day of fasting and prayer for this intention. We ask you to unite with us, together with your own communities, in this or in any other initiative." (ZENIT ZE04101907).
Remove the mystique from fasting, and make it common place in your life.
P.S. I will not be sending out an e-mail for the next two weeks. Mary Christmas everyone!
