Is There a Spiritual Case for Fasting?

 I really appreciated the insights of the participants in our Lenten study of the Sermon on the Mount through Trenton United. Folk were ready and willing to offer their thoughts until we got to Jesus' teaching on fasting. Jesus told his disciples not to parade around and make a big deal of fasting, but this was not a problem with our group. Other than giving up sweets for Lent, no one had engaged in fasting as a spiritual practice. 

This certainly wasn't surprising since fasting isn't emphasized or encouraged in the mainline Protestant tradition. We are much more likely to extol the virtues of breaking bread together rather than voluntary giving up our bread.as a deepening of our communion with God. Yet here was Jesus, the Jew and the Christ, speaking of fasting the way he speaks about prayer. We know that Jesus underwent a 40-day wilderness fast before he began his ministry, the inspiration for the 40 days of Lent.  And certainly Christians through the centuries have practiced fasting as a form of  spiritual awareness through deprivation. 

This evening marks the beginning of month of Ramadan in the Muslim religion, which involves fasting from  pre-sunrise to sunset. Depending on the time of year for Ramadan this can be a real challenge for people in the far north of Canada because of the long daylight hours. The fast is intended to achieve greater “taqwa”, or consciousness of God.

This is the holiest month in Islam and the fast is taken seriously. We shared a meal at an event at the local mosque with a charming, bright 14 or 15 year-old  couple of years ago. He had just completed his first Ramadan fast and despite playing soccer he was able to fulfill the obligation. He was obviously pleased with his discipline, although modestly so. 

So we can wish Muslims everywhere a “Ramadan Kareem,” which translates into “Have a generous Ramadan,” or “Ramadan Mubarak,” which roughly translates into “Happy Ramadan.” 

And maybe we can ask ourselves whether fasting would enhance or deepen our relationship with God. If it was good enough for Jesus...

 And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites,  

for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting.  

Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.  

But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,  

so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; 

and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

                                                           Matthew 6:16-18