Fasting is a biblical discipline that can be defended from both the Old and the New Testament. Christ expected his disciples to fast (Mt 9:14-15) and issued instructions for how they should do so (Mt 6:16-18). Catholics follow this pattern by holding a partial fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
Abstinence from certain foods is also a biblical discipline. In Daniel 10:2-3 we read, “In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks. I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks.”
Catholics use a practice similar to Daniel’s when, as a way of commemorating Christ’s Crucifixion on a Friday, they abstain from eating meat on that day of the week during Lent. The only kind of flesh they eat on Friday is fish, which is a symbol of Christ. Taken from Catholic.com/Catholic answers
The practice of giving something up for Lent is not mandatory. Giving up something can be as a sign of sacrifice. By denying ourselves something we enjoy, we discipline our wills so that we are not ruled by our pleasures. There are many reasons to follow this practice:
- To be reminded of our dependence on God.
- To acknowledge that we do not and cannot fully provide for ourselves without Him.
- To do penance
- To unite our heart with Jesus’ in prayer
What sacrifice are you making for Lent?
