Fasting and Forgiveness

Fasting is mentioned throughout the texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today. Many might assume that fasting has gone out of practice in the spiritual journey. In 1 Samuel, Saul attempts to use religious practice to legitimize his disobedience of the voice of God. This is too often the motive for practices such as fasting. We wish to shape God’s will to our plan. A time of fasting can remove us from many of the distractions of our day. It can open a channel to hear better the voice of God. Through the community of our Spirit, assisted by the message of our body we can be in solidarity with the many hungry, physical and spiritual, in the world. Isaiah and Jesus encourage us to consider the fast that translates into the cessation of oppressive, demeaning and unjust behavior towards others. Traditionally fasting was a penance for our sins to be forgiven by God. It is the opportunity to be forgiving of those who are unjust and unfair to us.