Fasting

As I was doing my Morning Prayer and the Daily Readings for Lectio I realized I was avoiding the word 'fast.' I counted, and 'fast' or 'fasting' was mention eighteen times between my two readings. Not something to ignore, I guess.
As Catholic, I am often encouraged to fast and pray as Jesus says it requires both to battle great situations successfully.  In two separate books this week I read of striving to be dead to sin, and with fasting not to feel impoverished, but enriched. Several years ago I faced a health issue. In order for the medication to work effectively I had to give up certain things. It was hard at first. I wanted to be able to keep the same lifestyle and change the outcome. Impossible. Once I learned how to let go of what I thought I could have at any time, it no longer beckoned to me. I now can walk past it without temptation. I can watch others ingest and know I don't have to be bothered with the mistaken feeling that I had to have it. My life is enriched. I am no longer impoverished by a shortage mentality.I have let it go and all the baggage that attends it. I am free to enjoy much healthier and tasty things.
Fasting for spiritual purposes serves the same end. If I offer up my craving for sweets and for the party atmosphere that attends it, I also offer up the sugar high that makes me cranky, the guilt of eating something I don't 'need', the uncomfortable memory of childhood, and the work of losing the weight gain which is far harder than opening mouth and inserting calories. In return I believe that my sacrifice is united with the sacrifice of all the others giving up something for the good. And I believe when I get to the 'otherside' I will know who I helped and how my sacrifices affected the future of the world.  I believe it will be a good thing. Both my DH and a coworker heard an irreverent slam on fasting on one of our local stations on Wednesday. Our discussion of the radio program's suggested topics for fasting included wondering how a radio station could get away with such 'entertainment.' Would making fun of Ramadan or  Kwanzaa be tolerated? Then why would making fun of a Catholic tradition? I wondered if anyone who had heard this sound bite had commented. I couldn't find anything about that show on their radio web site; I admit I became distracted by the news of the earthquake in Japan and the resulting tsunami and destruction. I shall fast and pray for the people have lost so much.