Fasting

Focus Statement

Fasting is meant to change our hearts and deepen our relationship with God, yet sometimes we turn it into a diet or a show.

Point of Relation

Over the years, as a clergy person, I have learned to get used to different things that at first were awkward for me.

Living in house that I did not own…

Was a huge adjustment

My name changed from Todd...

to Pastor Todd…or just Pastor…or even being called by the first letter of my title and the first letter of my first name: P.T.

I also had to get used to wearing robes and collared shirts.

In fact, often times, I get called “Father” by people when they see me wearing a clerical collar...

Even though such collars came out of Protestantism as a way for people to know they were clergy...

Over the years people have come to associate those collars with Roman Catholic priests…because they predominantly wear them nowadays.

At first, I would correct people and let them know I was a pastor in the Methodist Church...

However, over time, I just would respond and not really say anything about it.

Roman Catholic or Protestant…I am clergy and people are only trying to show respect to my office.

Priest or pastor, both serve the same Lord Jesus Christ.

Things to Consider

For many of us, we have included some form of fasting in our Lenten practice

For example, fasting from chocolate caffeine, carbs, etc.)...

without growing or learning from the fast.

But fasting is not necessarily about dieting;

It IS about denying ourselves something in order to refocus our minds and hearts

and to deepen our faith.

Fasting is for our own spiritual health and drawing closer to God...

And it isn’t for show!

What does Scripture say?

In Matt. 6:1-18, Jesus describes three common spiritual disciplines in his time

Almsgiving

Prayer

and fasting.

He was warning about becoming like religious hypocrites

doing these spiritual disciplines for show without having hearts changed by them.

The point Jesus makes about all these practices is that they are meaningful and worshipful

ONLY when they are done with the intention of worshiping God,

rather than trying to make a good impression

or prove oneself in front of other people.

In Jesus’ time, anointing with oil was a symbol of joy

but people usually fasted and put ashes on their heads when they were mourning.

So, when Jesus instructed:

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

In that instructioon, he was directing them to do the opposite of what would normally be expected when fasting!

Jesus is really trying to make a point to us here!

Verse 18 tells us that what we fast from should be between God and us, no one else.

By making it secretive, Jesus is emphasizing that fasting is a personal and private decision,

not meant to be made for or by other people.

Fasting is a less common spiritual discipline now than it was in Jesus’ time

and it is more common in some cultures than others.

But fasting can definitely be a worshipful and transformative spiritual discipline for some people.

It is about more than what we give up

or even how well we stick to what we are fasting from (which can be different for different people).

It helps us to remember that we worship God

not only with our minds and hearts,

but with our whole bodies.

Fasting is a tangible way of practicing sacrifice for God’s sake.

It can help us focus on God and prayer, just as Jesus fasted for forty days during his temptation in the wilderness.

Fasting is not meant to be an isolated practice but can be integrated as part of a worshipful life.

Let us pause here and listen in to this Franciscan monk as he explains the power and importance of fasting.

[Show Video]

What This Means for YOU

Have you given something up this Lent?

Is it something that you plan on returning to when this season is over?

Is it mildly inconvenient or is it truly sacrificial?

Now, I want to reiterate what the Franciscan monk shared at the end of the video.

Fasting is often practiced by abstaining from food; however,

If you struggle with body image and desire to lose weight, and/or eating disorders...

Then this is NOT a healthy or even godly way to fast.

Instead. you may choose to fast from something else (such as fasting from watching TV, or from spending money unnecessarily.)

or focus on another spiritual discipline.

Fasting should never be or become about not nourishing or caring for our bodies, which are given to us by God.

Concluding Reflection

We can choose to fast or renew our fast at any point…it need not be a once a year…only at Lent thing.

We can choose to change what we are fasting from or shift how we are fasting.

Fasting calls us to be uncomfortable

so we can become more aware of what comforts us, turn to God with purpose,

and deepen our connection with God.

Consider Pope Francis’ words on fasting:

Do you want to fast this Lent?

Fast from hurting words and say kind words.

Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.

Fast from anger and be filled with patience.

Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.

Fast from worries and trust in God.

Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity.

Fast from pressures and be prayerful.

Fast from bitterness and fill your heart with joy.

Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others.

Fast from grudges and be reconciled.

Whatever you fast from, make it a discipline that draws you closer to God!

Amen? Amen!