Fasting

Weight loss has been in the news a lot lately. It is the annual “Start-over-turn-over-a-new-leaf” habit folks get into each New Year. Warped use of medical concoctions–both prescriptions and flaunted fake ones—feed this craze; fasting is often mentioned as a way to lose weight For a long time fasting has been used by human beings—for myriad uses in many variations.

But, I am making a left turn here: Encyclopedia Britannica defines fasting; abstinence from food or drink or both for health, ritualistic, religious, or ethical purposes. John Wesley, the father of Methodism, practiced fasting faithfully, from sundown on Thursday to sundown on Friday. A fairly familiar time of fasting in the religious realm is during Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday—like Easter, the date varies according to the Moon—this year it is next Wednesday—February 14,

During Lent Fasting will be observed by many of the faithful— the world over—and in many forms. It will go from foregoing a practice, or habit (or favorite food); or giving up all food but water—yet there is also a form of fasting called “Water Fasting—not recommended unless supervised by your medical doctor; actually, almost any fasting over a period of time should have your doctor’s approval.

Typically, your Faith connection gives healthy guidelines for fasting. I recommend the chapter on Fasting in Richard Foster’s book, The Celebration of Discipline. It is detailed, sensible, and a clear focus on the reason to fast—not just during Lent, but also other spiritual disciplines. The late Dallas Willard, a Baptist Professor and author has an excellent book with chapter on Fasting. (Spirit of the Disciplines— I think it is out of print now, but you can likely find it in Bookshop.org ).

The U. S. Catholic says; The practice of eating fish is related to the day we typically abstain from meat: Friday. This is the day that Christ died, so abstaining from the shedding (and consuming) of blood seems appropriate. Friday, the sixth day, was also the day that God created animals, so abstaining from meat is a symbolic “stay of execution” for cows, pigs, and sheep—just as the cross saves us from eternal death..

Although each of us has personal Faith practices, Jennifer, my daughter and I look forward to Fridays in Lent. We we like get “Fish on Fridays” at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Tucker durning Lent. I don’t get a free dinner for saying this, but they do a really great job; from guiding the drive-thru pick-up-and-pay line to the masterful manner in which they quickly shuttle your delicious meal(s) to your car window.

A culinary precursor to Lent is Shrove Tuesday, or “Fat Tuesday,” the day before Ash Wednesday. It originated out of the need to empty cupboards of fat ingredients to prevent the household from breaking fast during Lent. (Kinda forces fasting!) The day(s) is also called Mardi Gras—a wild carnival-like celebration concluding Fat Tuesday—you know, the last blast of gaity before the sober sojourn into the 40 days of Lent. A secular spinoff of Fat Tuesday, many Pancake houses often offer popular pancake deals on Shrove Tuesday —usually called by another name—like “Pancake Day.”.

Many of these assorted ways of observing Lent can, and often do, gravitate to excess. Faithful Christians tend to take seriously Jesus’ guidance about shedding ego -involvement and abuse of spiritual practices. He pointed out abusive practices, for example in prayer; the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. Or the proud man lifting his own piety above others. Jesus called for simple direct discipleship, not comparative behavior. My favorite counsel Jesus gave his disciples is a simple, quiet directive. It is not about the vanity of weight loss, or superior spiritual vigor. It is to draw close to God.

©Copyright Willis H. Moore 2024