Why should we fast? What spiritual benefits are there to fasting? What are some tips to fasting? (David makes fun of Adam for one of his tips)
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“And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father whose in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:16-18
Jesus says “when you fast” not “if you fast”. He expected us to fast. But we should not fast out of dieting or pride, but out of love of God.
Fasting improves us spiritually in several ways (from Jimmy Akin):
- We express our recognition that spiritual things are more important than physical things.
- We learn to deny ourselves pleasures, even in spite of pain. (Increase in fortitude)
- We declare that we recognize the need to reform and to get closer to God.
- We willingly embrace the hunger fasting produces as a sign of being willing to shoulder the burdens of others (Col. 1:24 - “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is Lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the Church…”). What is lacking: Christ’s sufferings were, of course, sufficient for our redemption, but all of us may add ours to his, in order that the fruits of his redemption be applied to the souls of men.
- We express humility before God by adopting a humble posture, recognizing our dependence on him and affirming our submissiveness to his will.
4 classes of penitents who committed major sins (idolatry, murder, abortion, adultery) in the ancient formal penitential discipline:
- Weepers - Not allowed in the church but stayed outside and asked those going in to pray for them.
- Hearers - Stood inside the church doors and heard the liturgy of the word but were dismissed before the liturgy of the Eucharist.
- Kneelers - knelt or lay down in church and participated with the Church in specific prayers for them before being blessed by the bishop and dismissed prior to the Eucharist.
- Standers - sat in the congregation and stayed for the liturgy of the Eucharist but did not receive Communion.
5 Tips when Fasting:
- Have a specific intention for your suffering. Visualize the person you are praying for or the grace you are asking God to give you.
- Set a schedule. Scheduling how your day will look helps avoid moments of inactivity. Helps to go to sleep on time and get up early.
- Increase the amount of water you drink per day.
- Take multi-vitamins. When you fast you will become deficient in some vitamins your body is used to having.
- Don’t complain. No one should know you are fasting.
Canon Law on Feast Days:
Can. 1246 §1. Sunday, on which by apostolic tradition the paschal mystery is celebrated, must be observed in the universal Church as the primordial holy day of obligation. The following days must also be observed: the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Epiphany, the Ascension, the Body and Blood of Christ, Holy Mary the Mother of God, her Immaculate Conception, her Assumption, Saint Joseph, Saint Peter and Saint Paul the Apostles, and All Saints.
Canon Law on Days of Penance:
Can. 1251 Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
Can. 1252 The law of abstinence binds those who have completed their fourteenth year. The law of fasting binds those who have attained their majority, until the beginning of their sixtieth year. Pastors of souls and parents are to ensure that even those who by reason of their age are not bound by the law of fasting and abstinence, are taught the true meaning of penance.
Can. 1253 The conference of bishops can determine more precisely the observance of fast and abstinence as well as substitute other forms of penance, especially works of charity and exercises of piety, in whole or in part, for abstinence and fast.
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