FASTING
Moses
stayed there with the Lord for forty days and forty nights, without
eating any food or drinking any water, and he wrote on the tablets...
the ten commandments. – Exodus 34:28
I
am one of those few who have no right to fast because I’m underweight.
But I still do it once in a while to deepen my relationship with God.
One of my most difficult fasts was when I ate only bread
and water from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. for several weeks in preparation for
the Christian Life Series I was serving in. It wouldn’t have been a
struggle if my birthday didn’t fall within that period or if I was not
teaching in a preschool. Despite my petite stature, I can eat like a
horse after teaching a bunch of energy-zapping preschoolers who never
run out of vigor.
I couldn’t even get to eat the food I had brought for my colleagues for
my birthday celebration. It also didn’t help that my peers were telling
me that God would understand if I took a sip of Coke or put adobo sauce
on my bland bread. What people don’t know is that I find fasting difficult. I
fast not because I want to stay thin, but because I want to master the
art of self-discipline and say no to something as basic as food. When I
do that, it’s easier to say no to temptation. Ems Sy Chan (havenofleeanne@yahoo.com)
Reflection:
Fasting possesses great power. If practiced with the right intention,
it makes one a friend of God. The demons are aware of that. (Quintus
Tertullian)
Thank You, Lord, for my first no — I can now easily say no to greater things. All because of Your grace.
St. Peter Chrysologus, bishop and doctor of the Church, pray for us.
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