Fasting is an old spiritual practice designed to bring us closer to God. Muslims have Ramadan; Jews fast before Yom Kippur; and Christians, of course, have Lent. We are supposed to fast in conjunction with prayer; as one writer said, fasting without prayer is simply not eating.
During the Middle Ages in Europe, a time of privation for many, if not most people, certain foods were prohibited and fasting was accompanied by a strict regimen of prayer. We, in our modern age, have relegated fasting to “giving up something for Lent,” usually a favorite food or indulgence.
This practice is supposed to remind us of Jesus’ coming sacrifice. There are parts of the world, of course, where people do not fast; they merely live in a state of constant malnutrition. In our consumer culture, it can be difficult to remember that much of the world has so little. Drawing closer to God should impel us to share our bounty with those who are hungry, not because they fast, but because they simply do not have enough food for themselves or their children.
Prayer for the Day
As our stomachs and minds twinge a little for what we desire,
We know, O God, there are many who live without desire;
As we consider the surplus of goods beckoning us to buy more,
Help us to realize the plight of underpaid workers making the good.
Move us, O God, to not just fast, but to act for the poor and hungry,
So they share in our bounty of goods and food.
In the name of the one who fed the multitudes,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
In a world that we know can feed itself, upwards of 40,000 children die each day from conditions of malnutrition. Surely we must question why we allow this carnage to continue.
- Betty Williams, Irish peace activist, Nobel laureate (1943-2020)
The opposite of poverty is not wealth; the opposite of poverty is enough.
- Wess Stafford, former CEO Compassion International
Look at the proud! Their spirit is not right in them, but the righteous live by their faith.
Moreover, wealth is treacherous; the arrogant do not endure.
They open their throats wide as Sheol; like Death, they never have enough.
They gather all nations for themselves, and collect all peoples as their own.
Habakkuk 2: 4-5