Homily: Friday - 22nd Week of OT 2016 - Fasting gives wings to our souls

Jesus said that after His Ascension His followers would surely fast. Along with prayer and acts of charity, fasting would continue to be constitutive practices for his Church. Today, Friday, is the traditional fast day for Christians.

Throughout the centuries, the church fasts each Lent in imitation of Jesus' forty-day fast in the desert. Fasting, we know, is not just for Lent, but should be a sign of our repentance for sin and our desire to find our joy in God alone all year round.

Before Vatican II, Roman Catholics were to abstain from meat on Fridays, and many fasted also on Wednesdays.  After Vatican II, the Church's laws regarding Friday abstinence and fasting were changed.  Some people thought that the Church was de-emphasizing fasting.  But this is not so, Church law still requires us to do some sort of penance on Friday, which may include fasting and abstaining from eating meat.

Pope John Paul II has made it very clear that fasting with prayer is extremely important. He stated: "Jesus Himself has shown us by His own example that prayer and fasting are the first and most effective weapons against the forces of evil.”  If we struggle with a particular temptation: gluttony, lust, pride, fasting helps us to overcome these evils.

Through fasting we show that the pleasures of this world are not what make us whole and truly fulfilled. It is not cookies and snacking and desserts and television and internet and whiskey and wine in which we find our joy. 

Consider also, the Eucharistic fast. We are still obligated to observe at least an hour fast before reception of the Eucharist.  I know many people who fast entirely on Sunday mornings until they receive the precious Body and Blood of Our Lord.  This Eucharistic fast disposes us to experience more deeply the presence of the Lord and expresses our seriousness and reverence for the Lord's coming into our lives

By fasting we unite ourselves to the heart of Jesus, we share in his cross and win graces for souls, and we share in his love for his Father, to whose Holy Will we are to be totally dedicated. Voluntary fasting from food help us acquire mastery over our impulsiveness, and creates in us a greater openness to God's Spirit and deepens our compassion for those who are forced to go without food. The discomfort brought about by fasting unites us to the sufferings of Christ, and brings to mind the sufferings of all those for whom Christ suffered.

St. John Chrysostom wrote, “Fasting is the support of our soul: it gives us wings to ascend on high, and to enjoy the highest contemplation.”  May our holy fasting increase in us a great hunger for serving the Lord, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.