Fasting is a biblical discipline supported by both the Old and New Testaments. Christ expected His disciples to fast (Matthew 9:14–15) and issued instructions for doing so (Matthew 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.
The practice of giving something up for Lent is not mandatory. Giving something up can be 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 hearts with Jesus’ in prayer
What sacrifice are you making for Lent?
Taken from Catholic.com
