Fasting

I saw our Bishop post a suggestion about fasting for a cause recently.  One of the remarks to his post was "well, I don't like to be deprived so I'll just send money."  That may be a totally legitimate response for that person, I don't know.

But, it made me think: has it become too easy for us to dismiss any sort of spiritual discipline? If we turn to scripture, Jesus expected his followers to fast. In fact, he gave specific instructions for how to fast. 

Matthew 9:15 “The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.” 

Matthew 6:16-18 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”  

The church fasted in order to hear from God. In Acts 13:2-3, while they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. The church fasted on behalf of their leaders and those in service. 

When even more power was needed Mark 9:29 shows us: “This kind can come out only by prayer and fasting.”  So, why do we do talk so little about fasting?  Moreover, why do we do so little of it?

Sadly, I think it is because we are used to a gluttonous lifestyle.  The idea of being deprived is thought of as punishment or even futile.  And yet medical studies show us that intermittent fasting has been proven to be quite healthy and beneficial for those who are able.  There is definitely something medical and mystical about being "emptied" and spending time in earnest prayer or silence.

It seems popular these days to engage in other types of fasts than that of food:  fast from Facebook or social media or cell phone use.  Somehow that doesn't conjure up the same sort of discipline or opportunity to be emptied of oneself; if that time is not redirected to prayer or scripture study, it is just avoiding our addiction to entertainment.  

Spiritual fasting can take shape in other ways.  I like what St. John Crysostom suggested in the early church, "Let the mouth also fast from disgraceful speeches and railings. For what does it profit if we abstain from fish and fowl and yet bite and devour our brothers and sisters? The evil speaker eats the flesh of his brother and bites the body of his neighbor. "

How might Lent give us an opportunity to fast in one way or another?  Fasting is not merely for ourselves nor is it to impress God.  Isaiah 58 expounds on the notion of true fasting and what the Lord desires:

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?

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 them,

and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

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.

Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;

you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.