Fasting, plain and simple is "doing without"; it is usually applied to food...doing without a favorite, or just not eating....going, doing without. Such fasting results in a hungry feeling, a desire to eat. Fasting, says, NO, not now, not this particular food. Fasting can also be applied to a preoccupation with self..."our way"..."MY WAY...MY NEEDS....ME...Fasting allows us to divert our attention, to free us from self-preoccupation to prayer and charity. This is why we fast. Isaiah lists some of these works of charity that turn our self-deprivation into something positive: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke, setting free the oppressed, ...sharing our bread with the hungry sheltering the oppressed and homeless, clothing the naked...not turning your back on your own. (Is 58: 6-7) Such acts certainly help us love our neighbor and bring us closer to Jesus.
Bro. Rene
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