Fasting to Know God
Fasting has been a cornerstone of spiritual practice for centuries, imbued with profound significance in the Bible, Roman Catholic teaching, and secular narratives alike. Rooted in Jesus Christ’s sacred teachings, fasting serves as a means to deepen one’s relationship with God, seek spiritual renewal, and fortify inner discipline. As Jesus Himself said in the Sermon on the Mount, “When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.” (Matthew 6:16-18). His words highlight fasting’s sacred, private nature—an act performed not for outward praise, but as a humble offering to God.
In Isaiah 58, the prophet Isaiah delivers God’s message about the true nature of fasting. God criticizes the Israelites for their empty rituals and self-serving fasts, calling them to a more sincere and compassionate practice: Isaiah 58:6-7, “Is this not, rather, the fast that I choose: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; setting free the oppressed, breaking off every yoke? Is it not sharing your bread with the hungry, bringing the afflicted and the homeless into your house; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own flesh?” God then helps us understand the benefits of this kind of fasting, “Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: “Here I am!” If you remove the yoke from among you, the accusing finger, and malicious speech; If you lavish your food on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; Then your light shall rise in the darkness, and your gloom shall become like midday; Then the LORD will guide you always and satisfy your thirst in parched places, will give strength to your bones And you shall be like a watered garden, like a flowing spring whose waters never fail. Your people shall rebuild the ancient ruins; the foundations from ages past you shall raise up; “Repairer of the breach,” they shall call you, “Restorer of ruined dwellings.”
The Roman Catholic Church upholds fasting as a vital spiritual discipline, particularly during Lent, a season of penance and reflection. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that fasting, alongside prayer and almsgiving, “expresses conversion in relation to oneself, to God, and to others” (CCC 1434). Saints of the Church have also echoed the transformative power of fasting. St. Augustine, known for his remarkable conversion to Christianity, stated, “Fasting cleanses the soul, raises the mind, subjects one’s flesh to the spirit, renders the heart contrite and humble, scatters the clouds of concupiscence, quenches the fire of lust, and kindles the true light of chastity.” His words encapsulate fasting’s dual effect: fostering moral discipline and illuminating the path toward divine intimacy.
In the lives of the saints, fasting was often tied to extraordinary spiritual devotion.
- St. Catherine of Siena, a mystic and Doctor of the Church, undertook prolonged fasts as a form of penance and intercession for others. Her fasting exemplified profound self-sacrifice and unwavering faith.
- Similarly, St. Francis of Assisi practiced fasting as a means to embrace humility and detach from worldly distractions.
- Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622 AD) highlighted the holistic nature of fasting, teaching, “Besides the bodily fasts, all interior and exterior mortifications and bodily fasts come into the category of penance and are of great value in the spiritual life.”
- Saint Catherine of Siena (1347-1380 AD) wrote about the intimate connection between fasting and prayer, saying, “Without prayer, fasting is of no use; it is only a preparation for prayer. Fasting is the soul’s nourishment, and the body must serve the soul.”
At its core, fasting is not merely about abstaining from food but about opening one’s heart to God. It reminds us of our reliance on divine providence, cultivates gratitude, and strengthens our spirit against the temptations of sin. Jesus demonstrated this during His 40 days in the wilderness, where He fasted and resisted the devil’s temptations (Matthew 4:1-11). His example teaches us that fasting is a powerful tool for spiritual fortitude and alignment with God’s will.
Ultimately, fasting is a sacred act of love, repentance, and growth. By uniting body, mind, and spirit, it fosters a deeper communion with God and a greater capacity to serve others. As we embrace fasting, let us remember the wisdom of St. Basil the Great, who proclaimed, “Fasting gives birth to prophets and strengthens the powerful; fasting makes lawgivers wise. Fasting is a good safeguard for the soul, a steadfast companion for the body, a weapon for the valiant, and a gymnasium for athletes.” Through fasting, we nourish our spiritual health, drawing closer to the divine and embodying the teachings of Christ.
May your Lenten journey this year unite you to God more than ever before and the Holy Spirit fill every area of your life humbly submitted to God during your fasting and penance. Live only for God and his designs for your life!