Each of the readings today highlight the theme of fasting, which along with prayer and almsgiving, comprises the three-legged stool of Christian piety. Fasting was by no means something Christianity invented. Moses fasted for forty days on Sinai twice (Exod 34:28; Deut 9:18) as did the prophet Elijah (1 Kgs 19:8). Despite Jesus Christ’s own example of fasting in the desert (Matt 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-11) which followed the example of Moses and Elijah, today’s Gospel reading (Matt 9:14-15) provides a surprising counterpoint: Jesus’ disciples were not fasting as other devout Jews and Jesus himself approved their departure from Jewish piety! Fasting was actually inappropriate amid so joyous a time when the Israel’s long awaited Messiah had appeared in her midst bringing in the Kingdom of God!

Therefore, it might seem odd to include such a reading as this on the first Friday of Lent, when the disciples of Jesus are commanded by the Church to fast, unlike the disciples earlier who rightly did not do so when Jesus was among them. This selection goes to underscore a basic reality of Christian fasting: it is not a permanent state of asceticism or self-denial but a practice to be done in appropriate times and seasons in preparation for a time of consolation and rejoicing. Lenten fasting is intended to mark a more somber period in anticipation of the horror of Jesus Christ’s Passion. But it would be inappropriate to continue the fasting into the joyous feast of Easter. Fasting only makes religious sense when alternated with, and in preparation for, feasting!

Christian fasting is unique in other respects too. Perhaps because of the ubiquity of periods of fasting from food as part of an overall weight loss strategy, recent Church teaching has emphasized that the concept of fasting is much more than managing food intake. Fasting from food at certain seasons is ultimately about fasting from sin. And Pope Francis has reminded us to use Lenten fasting as a means of service to others, or “fasting from indifference” as one writer put it.  In this way, the traditional Catholic observance of meatless Fridays during Lent takes on its power not only when combined with other burdens one freely takes on but in order to prepare for the Easter feast.

Dr. Peter Brown is a professor at Catholic Distance University (CDU), an all-online faithful Catholic university that offers undergraduate and graduate programs in Theology. Find out more at www.cdu.edu

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5 COMMENTS

  1. Praying more than usual and I remove my precious Medals and the Earrings my husband gave me on our 25th anniversary of gold and place the Scapular around my neck
    Until Lent is over Holy Thursday.

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