Fasting for Others
“But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
Matthew 6:17-18
There are several reasons for fasting given in the Scriptures. We may use fasting to express our penitence before God[1] or as an aid to prayer.[2] We may fast in order to learn self-discipline[3] or to discern God’s will.[4] One other reason may be especially helpful for us in our affluent, modern world: we may fast in order to show our solidarity with the poor.
When Job fasted he shared what he had “with widows and orphans.”[5] His behavior contrasted with that of the inhabitants of Jerusalem who were condemned by the prophet Isaiah. On the very day on which they were fasting, some of these people took out their frustrations on their employees.[6] Their spiritual discipline was supposed to bring them closer to God, but instead it just made them ill-tempered. Their fasting meant nothing. It was an external sign of religiosity, not an internal mark of their religion. In short, it was fake. They were hypocrites. God’s response was telling: “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter – when you see him naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?”[7] It is impossible to read these words and not to hear them echoing in the words of Jesus in the synagogue in Capernaum.[8] Jesus is not interested in the façade but in the reality of our relationship with Him. At least one way to demonstrate that we are serious is to fast in order to share with those in need. We may choose to eat less in order to distance ourselves from over-consumption. We may skip meals in order to have resources to send to those who have nothing. Whatever we choose to do, we will not fast in order to improve our reputation, but in simple obedience to the God who gave up so much for us.
Sovereign God,
Ever faithful in Your love and care, even when I am unfaithful,
show me how I may use the good gifts entrusted to my care.
Show me how I may think less of myself,
and more of my neighbor in need.
Amen.
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