RBWords

     In the bible, fasting is most often associated with mourning, although in times of crisis or to seek God's favor for a particular petition, fasting might be publicly proclaimed. This is why Jesus responds to the disciples of John and the Pharisees with the image of the bridegroom.  His presence with his disciples is a time of joy and there is no reason for them to fast.  When he is taken from them, they will mourn and that is the appropriate time to fast!  Jesus did not impose fasting as a devotional act on his disciples, but the church later on adopted fasting as a form of penitential/devotional practice to symbolize the mourning of Jesus' absence till he returns in glory. Fasting was also associated then with repentance as well.

     The church requires fasting during Lent as a penitential practice, but it is not a matter of strictness.  The rule is limited to those of a certain age and when fasting is, for good reasons, inadvisable, we are asked to substitute another penitential practice.  "Abstinence" (no meat) is required on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and the Fridays of Lent - again under the same conditions.  I can recall my novice director dispensing us novices from strict observance of the "monastic fast" which lasted from September 14 till Holy Saturday!  The reason was that some brothers would get a bit too zealous and become ill.  The same was true during our study years.

     I tend to think of fasting in connection with certain medical procedures which  instill dread rather than devotion!  As a personal practice, I still observe the "fish on Friday" rule year round whenever possible.  If we fast, it is better that we do it intentionally and not just because it is the Lenten rule.  Otherwise we spend most of the fasting time mourning the missing food items!  That may be "penitential" but it does not seem very devotional!  The WHY is more important than the WHAT!  AMEN