This essay continues a sequence. Read the previous one here.
Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance:
for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast.
Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret:
and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
— Matt 6:16-18; KJV
Absence of food vs presence of intent…
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In Part 1 we established that effective fasting is an activity that aims to strengthen the spiritual “muscles” of self-control and self-awareness.
The Core Purpose
In “Blessed Are The Meek” we posited that genuine self-control emerges from selflessness. This being the case, effective fasting should make us more aware of all our selfish cravings (not limited to food and drink) and our ability to overcome them.
This overcoming of the self can be considered a form of purification that makes us more loving and more open to God’s Will.
Fasting has physical benefits e.g. removal of toxins from the body. Dealing with occasional hunger might also be useful if it makes us more aware of how fortunate we are i.e. if it helps us to inculcate that attitude of gratitude that is characteristic of real prayer (ref. “A Redefinition of Prayer“). But the physical purification is of no lasting benefit without the spiritual purification.
Christ Sheds More Light
We can learn more about this from Matt 9:14-15:
Then came to him the disciples of John, saying,
Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?
And Jesus said unto them,
Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them?
but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.
–Matt 9:14-15
The men believed Christ had a lax or permissive approach towards fasting. It appeared that way to them because they had adopted a primarily physical/material perspective.
In fact, Christ’s attitude was far stricter than theirs. Christ expected His disciples, those regularly in His Presence, to be perpetually at their most selfless in all their thinking and actions. He expected them to make every effort to benefit from His physical proximity through tireless efforts at self-improvement. But all of this in a natural and joyful way, not through forced or “special” exercises.
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They did not declare a physical fast, but in fact they were on a permanent spiritual “fast” in His Presence.
He foresaw His departure (when the bridegroom shall be taken from them), and the fact that in His absence their human frailties might require them to rely on occasional special exercises to maintain the required level of spiritual consciousness.Volition Determines Value
Christ’s Word shows that He was not against physical fasting, but that it has to be a manifestation of the correct intent.
The correct intent will result in a reward of our Father Which is in Heaven. We explored the meaning of this kind of reward in “Giving as Performance: PR or Charity?“.
It has nothing to do with procuring His support for some material goal – there is no dealmaking with the Almighty (ref. “Blessed Are The Merciful“, “The World’s Most Underrated Prayer, Part 2“).
That some people believe that fasting “works” for them materially doesn’t change the spiritual logic of The Word. The act of fasting can help to focus the mind and increase concentration towards a material goal. If the goal is achieved, it is evidence of greater mental focus and physical diligence, not a reward of our Father which is in Heaven.
The Ultimate Destination = Selflessness = Love
Selflessness, manifested in self-awareness and self-control, is the ultimate goal of abstinence. And self-control and self-awareness are their own (spiritual) rewards.
The value inherent in these were explored in “Blessed Are The Meek, Part 1” and “Does ‘Turn The Other Cheek’ Make Any Sense?“, which the reader is invited to review.
Today’s Resolution:
- We shall prioritise the spiritual reward of self-control, through which we can achieve truly great things in His Power.
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