Dear Kianna,
How can I make fasting a part of my life beyond Lent? — Seeker
Dear Seeker,
As we enter into this Lenten journey, we are reminded of the three main pillars of Lent: prayer, fasting and almsgiving. These allow us to unite more deeply with Jesus as he journeys to the cross.
But let’s face it: Who enjoys fasting? Certainly not me! In the past, I would dread the days of fasting and count down the hours until they were over. Fasting brought out my grumpy and impatient side. (Have you ever heard the word “hangry” — hungry and angry combined?)
If you have ever felt this way, you are not alone. Let me propose a different approach. This year, I want to engage in fasting with a new attitude and invite you to join me!
The beauty of fasting is that it challenges us to experience a form of physical denial so we can unite our spirits with the Lord. It is very difficult to deny ourselves, yet it is in this daily offering of our lives and hearts to the Lord that we grow in holiness.
That physical denial can go beyond food. I invite you to take an honest look at your life and analyze how you are spending your time. Do you find yourself spending too much time on social media or online? Do you spend a lot of your time watching television or YouTube videos? Do you like to play video games or participate in other forms of entertainment? These are just a few examples, and while none of these activities are bad as long as they are practiced in a balanced way, Lent presents an opportunity to fast from some of the areas that consume our time.
I tend to pick up my phone and scroll through social media or watch YouTube videos right when I wake up or before I go to sleep — the times when I could be praying, reading from my Bible or writing in my journal. This year, I want to continue to challenge myself to limit my time online so I can spend more time in intimate prayer and union with the Lord, especially as I open and close my day. I want to fast from other areas that consume my time, so I can free up space to connect with the Lord without any distractions.
The beautiful part of this practice is that it can extend way beyond Lent, into our everyday lives. I encourage you to join me in building habits this Lent that will last a lifetime.
If you are dreading the demands of fasting — from food and other things — remember that this journey allows us to enter more intimately into a union with the Lord so that we may become more like him. That is really what it comes down to in life, isn’t it? Learning how to love like Jesus and becoming products of his love.
May God bless you on your journey!
Northwest Catholic — February/March 2023