The practice and even obligation of keeping a fast arises for Christians from the fact that our Lord kept a fast at various times in his life -- not only following the Jewish law, but on occasions such as the forty days before the beginning of his public life. In a sermon for Ash Wednesday, Pope Innocent III (d. 1216) explains the origin of fasting, and lists the goods that come from Christian fasting:
"Fasting is a commandment given from God. He gave the commandment to fast to Adam. He gave this commandment in the beginning, and he gave it in paradise: 'You may not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; on whatsoever day you eat of it, you shall die the death' (Genesis 2, 17). The first commandment which God gave to man was to abstain from food. As long as man kept this commandment, he would certainly have continued to live. When man transgressed this commandment, he was mortally ruined. It can be understood from the contrary to this that fasting is a good act. Every living thing that does not humble itself on the day of fasting will be destroyed from the people (cf. Leviticus 23, 29).
"The good of fasting is shown in very many ways. It is written that fasting is valuable in appeasing God and obtaining his forgiveness; in avoiding his punishment and in rooting out wickedness; in retaining purity and repelling ignorance; and in gaining victory and obtaining grace."
Why, do you think, God chose fasting, which we generally assume to mean not to eat for some period of time, as a way for us to obtain the "goods" you mention? Is it simply to show Him we love him by self-denial or sacrifice of the thing humans most desire - their next meal? Is it to show Him we take to heart the very beautiful words "man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God?" Or?
ReplyDeleteThrough fasting, we experience our absolute dependence on God for our sustenance and for life itself. For this reason, it is an urgent offering or sacrifice to him. It is also very personal, and not merely the giving of some external thing. It is a penitential act, showing God our contrition as well as our resolution to not sin again.
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