For the first time, something good coming from out of fasting.
A cross of ash is seen marked on the forehead of a Christian Maronite after attending a traditional Ash Monday service in Beirut March 7, 2011.
Try it for a week a few moons ago. The first three days are kinda rough - growling stomach and breaking the simple habit of shoving things in the pie hole. Then, BAM - clear head and plenty of energy. You’re allowed to drink as much water as you want. Coming off of it took several containers of prunes. Then, back to the real world.
The two may have similar effects on body physiology and appearance but they are worlds apart spiritually and theologically. One is spiritual in nature, the other is purely physical.
The primary motivations behind dieting are usually exclusive of God and in some cases, vain and self-indulgent, i.e. the quest for greater beauty and attractiveness. Other times the motivations may be reasonable in and of themselves, such as the desire for improved health or the need to ward off a heart attack but they are focused on self and the important thing is the end; i.e. weight loss.
Fasting, on the other hand, is unconcerned with the physical side effects and the end is not weight loss. The principal and essential ingredient is self-denial. The war against the flesh; the establishment of command over one's senses and appetites. The imitation of Jesus and the following of the Lord's command to deny oneself, take up one's cross and follow Him. One's weight and appearance at the end of this process is irrelevant.
Jesus, prior to the start of his public ministry, went into the desert and fasted for 40 days and forty nights. He did not diet so he'd look good in his tunic.
In fasting, the intention is everything because God sees our hearts.
What’s-in-it-for-me-theology alert.
I feel sick, weak, and light-headed after six hours without food. At eight hours I will get cold sweats and then pass out. It doesn’t seem that this is a good thing. Can God really want this?
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Take care not to perform righteous deeds
in order that people may see them;
otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.
When you give alms,
do not blow a trumpet before you,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets
to win the praise of others.
Amen, I say to you,
they have received their reward.
But when you give alms,
do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,
so that your almsgiving may be secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
“When you pray,
do not be like the hypocrites,
who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners
so that others may see them.
Amen, I say to you,
they have received their reward.
But when you pray, go to your inner room,
close the door, and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
“When you fast,
do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.
They neglect their appearance,
so that they may appear to others to be fasting.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you fast,
anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”
The Best Kind of Fasting
Conversion Through Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving [Lent]
Ash Wednesday and the Lenten Fast-Family observance Lenten season [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
Lenten Fasting or Feasting? [Catholic Caucus]
THE TRUE NATURE OF FASTING (Catholic/Orthodox Caucus)
The Three Practices of Lent: Praying, Fasting. Almsgiving
Lent: A Time to Fast >From Media and Criticism Says President of Pontifical Liturgical Institute
Give it up (making a Lenten sacrifice)
The Holy Season of Lent -- Fast and Abstinence
Lent and Fasting