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El Ayuno y la Biblia: una reflexión sobre la disciplina espiritual de la abstinencia en la vida cristiana.

Why is self-denial through fasting and other practices important to our spiritual journey according to the biblical teachings?

As we find ourselves well into Lent, it is worth revisiting the topic of self-denial. Fasting along with other forms of self-denial are considered spiritual practices as they teach one to control physical appetites of the body, and in turn, enhance the soul’s ability to pray. By doing so, we can deepen our connection with God, ultimately becoming better stewards of the gifts conferred to us by God, and allowing us to care for our neighbors who may have greater needs than ourselves. This connection between prayer, fasting, and almsgiving forms the basis of Lent, and their importance is expounded from a Biblical perspective.

Christ’s example is considered the ideal starting point to understand this concept. As Son of God, He began his public ministry with a miracle at Cana, but before that, He went to John the Baptist and was baptized. Though he had no need for it, Jesus did so to “fulfill all righteousness” so that the Trinity could manifest. It is after the baptism that the Spirit led Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the devil. Overcoming these temptations was vital as Jesus recapitulated the lives of Israel, and accomplished what God’s Chosen People had failed to do. Jesus’s preparation involved fasting for forty days before being tempted. By doing so, He weakened the desires of the body, making it easier to overcome temptation. Arguably, this provides the ideal example for Christians to follow while preparing for public ministry and growing in their Christian life.

While many non-Catholic Christians agree that fasting and abstaining are good practices to follow, they hold that salvation is a free gift not earned through human initiative. Christ, however, expects the Christian- once justified- to cooperate with His grace to grow in holiness to retain the grace of justification. The Bible talks about how the process must include self-denial, and Christ directs us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. The justification of pride is considered the gateway to other deadly sins, and the virtue of humility is essential to control one’s desires.

Jesus’s life exemplifies that fasting is the way to practise such self-denial. One of the potent parables described in St. Luke’s Gospel urges Christians to carry their own cross and come after Him. Those who don’t surrender their desires cannot be His disciple, just as a king marching into battle needs to calculate if he has enough resources to be successful.

All that we do becomes prayerful, including our penance, and humility and prayer are interrelated. Thus, fasting and other forms of self-denial should involve prayer, making it an act of prayer itself. The experience of a man from the crowd who approached Jesus with his son possessed by a mute spirit illustrates how faith and humility can work together in prayer.

In conclusion, Lent provides Christians with a period to practise self-denial, including the spiritual practice of fasting. Following Christ’s example, by denying our desires and upholding virtues such as humility and prayer, allows us to grow in holiness and please God. Ultimately, it frees us to more effectively care for the needs of our neighbors, especially those in greater need than us. While self-denial is not considered necessary for salvation, it does form an essential step towards a more fulfilled Christian life.

Las siguientes preguntas pueden ayudarnos a profundizar y reflexionar sobre el tema:

1. How can fasting and self-denial help us to pray more effectively?
By controlling our physical appetites, we can enable our souls to focus more fully on prayer and deepen our union with God.

2. Why did Jesus fast for forty days before being tempted by the devil?
By weakening the desires of his body, Jesus prepared himself to resist temptation and weaken its power over his appetites.

3. Is fasting necessary for salvation?
While strictly speaking, salvation is a free gift that cannot be earned, Christ expects us to cooperate with his grace through self-denial and other forms of spiritual discipline.

4. What is the connection between prayer, fasting, and almsgiving?
These three practices are considered the pillars of Lent, helping us to grow in holiness and become better stewards of the gifts God has given us, freeing us to care more effectively for our neighbors in need.

5. How does taking up our cross make us better disciples of Christ?
By embracing self-denial and accepting the challenges and hardships that come with following Christ, we can grow in humility, dependence on God, and faithfulness to his will.

Con información de integratedcatholiclife.org | Foto Créditos: integratedcatholiclife.org