Fasting

[TruthTraveler]

What is it and how do I do it?

 

[FatherApe]

I was thinking about this today. Fasting is an important part of a Christian's walk, if we take Christ as an example.

When I've done it, I've gone about it prayerfully. I think some people stop eating period for a day to several days. That's what I've done, for up to 3 days or so. Note that if your health can't take it, eat simple foods in small quantities. I think there is something to be said for getting pretty empty physically though.

You shouldn't make a showy presentation of it. That is, don't go around bragging to your lunch buddies that you're skipping the Big Mac's because you're fasting.

Fast from TV, CD's, Radio, Media and the hedonistic life in general. I think many of us overlook God's lil' whispers in our lives because there's constant commotion from sunup to sunset and beyond.

Take advantage of the time to get close to God. Read the Bible and spend a lot of time in prayer. My most powerful connection with God, resulting in a physical sensation of love and warmth, was during a fast in hard times.

Good luck with it. Mebbe I'll join you here in a few days..

 

[Terri]

What is it and how do I do it?

Hi TruthTraveler,

This is what I think a true fast consists of:

ISA 58:5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for a man to humble himself?
Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed
and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD?

ISA 58:6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?

ISA 58:7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter--
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

ISA 58:8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

ISA 58:9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

"If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,

ISA 58:10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.

 

[pax]

Fasting is generally the denial of food for a period of time. Sometimes it can mean giving up a meal, other times it's more intense. It can also, as was mentioned above, mean to fast from another activity that we would find enjoyable. St. Therese of Lisieux always would make an attempt to offer "little" sacrifices to God whenever she could. Often this would mean voluntarily doing an undesirable task or making an extra effort to be nice to someone who really bothers you. This type of interior mortification can lead us to a closer union and imitation of Our Lord who thought of himself last. External and internal penances can be very good for self control and increasing love of God.

 

[brewmama]

Fasting goes along with abstinence. Fasting is a decrease in the quantity of food, abstinence is a decrease in the quality of food. In the Western Rite Orthodox Church we practice weekly abstinence by not eating meat on Wed. and Fri. and throughout the year there are periods such as Lent and Advent and ember days where we eat no meat (and some give up dairy) and eat half the amount in a day as usual. There are also strict fast days, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, where we eat nothing the entire day. The rules in Eastern Rite may vary.

Fasting is a spiritual exercise. It helps tame the body, which helps tame the passions.