Originally posted by s0uljah
Who is going to fast for Oct 6 - 14? I saw a flyer at my Church on Sat that mentioned that was International Fasting Week or something like that...and to go to Mass daily, etc.
I was thinking of trying it, but being the gluttonous pig that I am, I might not make it!
Hi s0ulJah,
...with God all things are possible (Matt 19:26)
Also, I just thought I'd share some knowledge on fasting. For me, fasting is a very precious thing. I wonder if fasting will ever become a sacramant =P
Anyway, here's what I find amazing about it. Based on experience, fasting is not easy stuff, since it's basically giving up something I desire, for a greater desire: God himself!
I know it may not sound like much, but I think this is partly what was meant by Romans 12:1-2:
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as
living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. " (Romans 12:1-2)
Basically, what I think verse 2 is saying is that before we were Christians, we were doing our own thing, living as we pleased, and not necessarily pleasing God at all. And since we are God's people, we're called to live with a different mindset, a different lifestyle. Thus we get the word 'holy', which means 'different' or 'set apart'.
One brother shared this with me: Those who don't have Jesus are virtually zombies. They are dead. And they keep falling into the patterns of the world, thus we see people with addictions, like drugs, alcohol, sex, etc. And for us who've been redeemed, we're called to be living sacrifices, thus we wouldn't fall into these patterns.
Here's a psychological perspective: Remember Ivan Pavlov? He came up with the concept of classical conditioning. Pavlov did an experiment where he would get a dog, and some food and a bell. He would place the dog in one room, and in the kitchen he would ring the bell (to get the dogs attention). And when the dog came in, it saw food. Naturally, the dog started to salivate. Pavlov did that a bunch of times, and one time, Pavlov decided to ring the bell, and he didn't supply the food. Guess what happened: The dog was already salivating. It got to the point where the dog simply started salivating the moment it heard the bell. So the dog associated the sound of the bell meant food.
Honestly I think classical conditioning is explained from Rom 12:2. So anyway, what I'm saying is that the world is like this all the time. Often times we fall into this pattern and we're not even aware of it. That's why listening to a particular song on the radio can strike a lot of memories and such. And I'm guessing that kind of conditioning was a result of a high emotional state attached to a particular song.
And I think the same is true with our life as Christians. Now to get back to the focus on fasting: When it comes to fasting, what one is doing is literally sacrificing something important for something greater. What's fascinating about this is that when Moses was told to bring the Israelites out of Egypt, God's original plan was to get his people to stop worshipping idols. Scott Hahn explains this in great detail in "A Father who keeps his promises". They apparently worshipped bulls, and other Egyptians gods. But then God had a better plan to literally deliver them.
Anyway, when it comes to fasting (which is accompanied by prayer), a believer is literally devoting one's time to God, and at the same time, he/she is cutting himself/herself off from a particular idol. In a sense, it 'breaks' the pattern described in Romans 12:2. Whenever I would fast, I find myself often times groaning in agony LOL but often times it brings about a lot of freedom, and closer fellowship with God. One day I decided to go on a 3 day fast, and by the 3rd day I wanted to literally go on for another few days. Only thing is, I didn't get enough nutrition
Some people recommended fasting one meal and such. Ultimately, I believe fasting is meaningless, unless time is spent with God. Because fasting was for the purpose of humbling oneself before God (1 Sam 7:6, Is 58:4, Ps 35:13). And when it comes to a need for an answer from God, it seems to fasting seems to help (Ez 8:23). Or at least, in my experience, it's MUCH easier to hear God when praying/fasting.
One more thing to consider: One brother even went on to share that fasting is in a sense honoring the sabbath. By letting your stomach 'rest', you're honoring the sabbath LOL
May God bless your fast!
-Jason
P.S. Actually, now I want to fast
P.P.S. Some say that fasting doesn't necessarily have to be food =)
