The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. I am more than just my physical body. Science has pretty much documented our bodily functions, including how thoughts are created in the human brain. But science stops there. How do you explain scientifically man’s imagination? Or his will and capacity to do good? Or his striving to become more and be better? This reality can only be explained by the truth that man has a soul, a non-physical spirit that animates what the physical body does. The spirit is the software in man that runs the hardware that is his body.
And here is another paradox. The body has to be disciplined in order to free the soul. Excessive food is gluttony and too much food brings about many diseases to the body. Always taking the path of least resistance and general lethargy is sloth. Such inactivity validates the law of nature that what I do not use, I lose. Muscles I do not use, soon enough will atrophy. Greed, envy and selfishness lead to a desire and the amassing of material possession. Such acquisitiveness soon enough give rise to oppression and abuse of others and the environment.
Fasting is a way of disciplining the body to liberate the soul. Just as physical exercise tones and strengthens the body. Fasting is life a spiritual exercise that strengthens the soul. The ancients, who were more accustomed to a difficult life, seem to have a deeper understanding and appreciation of the value of fasting. Fasting is not only the denying the body physical pleasures but it is also disciplining it by doing good by and for others. Here is what the Lord told his People Israel what true fasting should be:
“Is this the manner of fasting I wish,
of keeping a day of penance:
That a man bow his head like a reed
and lie in sackcloth and ashes?
Do you call this a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD?
This, rather, is the fasting that I wish:
releasing those bound unjustly,
untying the thongs of the yoke;
Setting free the oppressed,
breaking every yoke;
Sharing your bread with the hungry,
sheltering the oppressed and the homeless;
Clothing the naked when you see them,
and not turning your back on your own.
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your wound shall quickly be healed;
Your vindication shall go before you,
and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer,
you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am!”
Isaiah 18:1-9
My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;
a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
The disciples of John approached Jesus and said,
“Why do we and the Pharisees fast much,
but your disciples do not fast?”
Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn
as long as the bridegroom is with them?
The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them,
and then they will fast.”
Matthew 9:14-15