"I Don't See the Good of Fasting."

[PioMagnus]

Hello,

Today I was talking with a teacher and she commented, “I don’t see the good of fasting. It doesn’t help anybody. Why would God want you to do that?”

I replied to the best of my ability saying something along the lines of “God wants us to be obediant. The bible says in tons of places to fast.”

I guess my question is aside from obediance, what good is fasting?

Thank you in advance,

-PM

 

[Britta]

PioMagnus:

Hello,

Today I was talking with a teacher and she commented, “I don’t see the good of fasting. It doesn’t help anybody. Why would God want you to do that?”

I replied to the best of my ability saying something along the lines of “God wants us to be obediant. The bible says in tons of places to fast.”

I guess my question is aside from obediance, what good is fasting?

Thank you in advance,

-PM

Actually, I love the idea of fasting but I have a problem with fasting from foods due to hypoglycemia. So I fast in different ways.

Aside from being obedient, I believe fasting is a wonderful way for us to overcome the flesh. It is more about discipline. In Romans, Paul discusses extensively about our sinful nature and how important it is to walk not in the flesh but in the spirit (Romans 8). Anytime we fast, we are growing in the practice of walking more in the spirit which brings us ultimately to God.

 

[Chris_W]

Perhaps another way of looking at it is this: We accept in the secular world that when our freedoms are abused, those freedoms may be taken away. If someone continually speeds, he may lose his liscence. Parents do this with children. If a teenager abuses the freedom given and goes where he/she is not supposed to go, he/she may be grounded for a time. etc.

The same principle applies to fasting, I think. We are all sinners. When we sin, we abuse the freedom and gifts God has given us. Most evil things are really good things that get used improperly (speech, sex, money, time, our eyes, good looks, etc).

Therefore, fasting is good in that we willingly give up gifts and freedoms in recognition of the times we abuse gifts and freedoms. It shows sincerity of repentance and makes amends for sins. And like a parent trains a child to respect and cherish their freedoms, we train ourselves to respect and cherish the gifts God has given us.

 

[milimac]

Fasting is weight-training for the will. If you can give up something small – like a meal or two – you strengthen your will for when it really counts. A stronger will helps you to resist the real temptations that can lead you to evil and to do those good things that sometimes you’re too lazy to do. If you fail in your fasting, it’s not too serious, you can try again later. But if you fail in being faithful to your spouse, for example, it’s much more serious. You might not get an opportunity to try again.

 

[Malachi4U]

When I was a protestant I thought fasting was simply stupid. Now I see it as a gift from God. It focuses your attention and the prayers are better then ever.

Study your Bible and you will find much support for fasting.

By fasting, we can save the money not used an food and donate it to the poor and hungry. Just one work/deed that comes from our 'F’aith that will be used by our Advocate at our judgement before Christ.

Fasting is beutifull and many of us can us it not only to help in our prayer or giving to the poor, we can use it to better our temple of God - our bodies.

I don’t have the verses with me now but hopefully someone will list some here for you.

 

[puzzleannie]

Look at the bodily discipline that is required by competitive athletes, or beauty contestants, dancers, opera singers, actors, gymnasts, anyone whose performance depends on strengthening their physical and mental capacity. Look at the discipline that is required by medical students and interns, law students, teaching interns, anybody that needs to have their body and mind performing together at peak capacity.

Would you say to the athlete, “I don’t see the benefit of following the stringent diet requirements or exercise and practice schedule you have set”, or would you say to the intern “I don’t see the point of the hours of study, memorizing anatomy, practicing suture technique, that you are required to do.”

If you do not understand what this person is trying to accomplish, or understand what is required to reach their goal, you will not understand why they subject themselves to discipline.

If you do not understand the spiritual goals and need for purification, self-discipline, humility, obedience, and self-mastery to achieve those goals, then you will not understand why someone fasts and prays. The goals are simply identification with and growing closeness with Jesus Christ.

 

[jimmy]

PioMagnus:

Hello,

Today I was talking with a teacher and she commented, “I don’t see the good of fasting. It doesn’t help anybody. Why would God want you to do that?”

I replied to the best of my ability saying something along the lines of “God wants us to be obediant. The bible says in tons of places to fast.”

I guess my question is aside from obediance, what good is fasting?

Thank you in advance,

-PM

Fasting helps you to learn discipline and sacrifice. Our whole religion is built around the sacrifice of Christ for all of us. When we fast it makes us stronger, and the fact that it is not something we want to do, it makes us more able to avoid all sin and what is bad for us. It is the same as doing good works, it makes us more Christ like, and that is one of the main goals of the religion. Christ desires us all to be like him in every way possible because he loves us. When we fast we say, “Christ I want to be like you”. And of course that will happen if you continue.

 

[Chaffa55]

Here is a good summary on fasting and exterior penance in general (from Orientations by John Veltri, S.J.):

*Exterior penance is usually a self-imposed discipline to help develop a greater harmony between body and spirit. Exterior penance ranges from bodily discomfort (such as fasting, making a vigil, etc.) to the performance of good works (such as visiting the elderly, donating to charities, etc.) that a person does for a variety of reasons: *
*To make up to God for one’s sins ; *
*To discipline one’s inappropriate sensuality in order to be aligned with the desires of the true self ; *
*To dispose oneself for the Grace that one is seeking ; *
*To help rid oneself of faults . *
*Ultimately, exterior penance is the externalization of one’s interior penance (such as a desire for the gift of gratitude or forgiveness, etc.). *