Fasting is about more than food

Fasting cleanses the body and prepares it to serve as a temple for the spirit. However, fasting in the Jewish and Christian traditions is not restricted to a question of food.

Fasting can also be practiced with great benefits when it comes to the eyes. Our eyes wander around the world, feasting often on images that provoke the body to rebel against the Law of the Lord. It is very important to practice a modesty of the eyes especially in a world that constantly seduces us with publicity that incites us to excesses of every kind.

Fasting can be practiced with great benefits when it comes to the ears. We live in a world of noise which takes us away from a focus on God. This noise is sometimes simply an obstacle to the peace of God’s Kingdom but sometimes even drags us down into realms of violence and despair. Silence is indeed golden when we are preparing for sacred times.

Fasting can be practiced with great benefits when it comes to the tongue. How many of the words that come out of our mouths are useless at best and even harmful at times. Thus we contribute to the noise of the world. Saying less and trying to only say words that encourage and build and console is another spiritual exercise that is important at this time.

Fasting can be practiced with great benefits when it comes to the hands. Our hands seek to touch and feel and they too wander around the world seeking pleasure. Sometimes this pleasure is at the expense of others as we push and grab, attempting to take possession and own even what is not our right. Instead of grabbing and taking, we can train our hands in times of fasting to give.