Dear Friends.
It is important to recognize that all cultures and religions know a time of purification. Whether it is the Christian fast in preparation for Easter or other periods of fasting in different religions, they all share the goal of purification and inner reflection.
In the time of Jesus, fasting was indeed a common practice in Judaism. The Jewish literature of the Second Temple period (before Christ and around his time) advocates fasting as a way of recompense for sins and for various other reasons. The Didache, a Christian text from the same period, also discusses pre-baptismal fasting practices, indicating that fasting was a well-established custom in the Jewish Christian community. Additionally, the Bible and other ancient Jewish texts make references to various fast days and the purposes of fasting, further highlighting its significance in Judaism.
So, Jesus’s background of his fasting came from the Old Testament, Moses on the Mountain Sinai, Israel’s people 40 years in the desert…
Christian Fasting
Early Christians followed a fasting tradition that took various forms, including baptismal fasting and Eucharistic fasting. These practices were not only physical in nature, but above all had a spiritual significance.
Baptismal fasting was a time of preparation for baptism, a time of prayer, repentance and cleansing of sins. It was a time to consciously prepare for the spiritual journey that began with baptism. Likewise, Eucharistic fasting was a time of preparation for receiving the Eucharist, the body and blood of Christ. It was a time to prepare for Holy Communion and to reflect on the meaning of this sacrament.
Nowadays, fasting is often seen more in terms of the body. Many people use fasting as a way to lose weight or live healthier lives. But even though fasting can have physical benefits, we should not forget that it is first and foremost a spiritual exercise. It is a time of abstinence and surrender, a time to draw closer to God and deepen our faith.
In sport, fasting often has a clear goal: to win. Athletes give up certain things in order to improve their performance and be successful. Similarly, we too should have a goal when fasting: the renewal of our spirit and our relationship with God. St. Benedict reminds us that fasting should be a time of rejoicing in the Holy Spirit. It is a time to free ourselves from everything that separates us from God and to open ourselves anew to his love and grace.
So, during this time of Lent, let us not only pay attention to our diet, but also to our spiritual health. Let us consciously approach God in prayer and repentance and allow ourselves to be renewed by his love.
~Fr. Anastasius Reiser, OSB