The Gift of Fasting

At the school Mass I asked our students what days during Lent do we observe fasting and abstinence both. The correct answer is Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. During the Fridays of Lent, we observe abstinence of all meat. My point to them and the adults gathered is that we can observce fasting and abstinence at other times during the year, not just Lenten Time. For myself, I try to abstain from meat on the Fridays during the year. Sometimes that is difficult but then I find another day to carry out that observance. Fasting can also be done at any time because it is a way to grow in penance and prayer. I believe the commentator for today writes it best, "Fasting is a form of self-deprivation that deepens our appreciation of and longing for the food we really need. Christ's disciples do not fast because they have given themselves over to Jesus who is their Food. We fast in order to seek him day after day and to desire more to know his ways. We fast so that this Lent Christ will become our All" (Magnificat, 340). We fast so that we can deny ourselves of that bodily nourishment but enhance our need for Christ in our lives because he is the bread of life and he has the words of eternal life. Fasting is a good of Lent so let us observe this gift with joy and allow the presence of Christ to come into our lives in a special way!!! God Bless You!!!