However, once our routine is broken — no telephone, TV or transportation — life comes to a sudden halt and we are forced to ponder and reevaluate our daily lives.
Suddenly we must stop and look at the world around us and realize that we have been taking things for granted. The ancient practice of fasting helps us to break the routine of life. Offering up a meal, a dessert or a little sweet often makes us readjust our time, attention and thoughts for the day. At last, something has made us pause and think!
Jesus Christ fasted for 40 days before beginning his public ministry (Mt 4:2). The apostles fasted and called on the early Church to fast as well (Acts 14:23). In both cases, we learn that to serve God we cannot take things for granted.
Lent is a time where we use fasting to help us not let the world consume our thoughts or to take God for granted in our daily lives. The best part of fasting is that it is done silently, so that it is a personal gift that we can offer to God. In a world where we are taught to pamper ourselves or have the easy life, Lenten fasting provides opportunities to be humble, grateful and attentive to the Lord.
In addition, fasting allows us to taste a small piece of the sufferings of Christ that we recall at Lent. It is a reminder of penance, that God gave Himself up for our sins, and we in return offer something to God. Fasting is a way of gaining self-discipline, another virtue that we seek to gain during the time of Lent. It makes our will grow stronger to master ourselves and not be distracted.
Lastly, fasting reminds us that we are hungry, not just for food, but for God’s love and words. Physical hunger reminds us that we have a spiritual hunger that needs to be satisfied. We can become focused on God only when we stop and ponder the direction of our lives.
St. Thomas Aquinas once said that, “Fasting cleanses the soul, raises the mind to God, subjects one’s flesh to the Spirit and renders the heart humble and contrite.” God has given us His only Son who died for our sins and rose from the dead. As we prepare for this Easter feast, let us break from the routine of daily life, master ourselves and gain a deeper hunger for union with Jesus Christ, Our Lord.
(This article courtesy of the Arlington Catholic Herald.)
