The last two weeks were dedicated to examining two of the three pillars of Lent (prayer and almsgiving), which commenced on Wednesday, the 5th of March. This week, we shall examine fasting, the third of the trio.

What is fasting? It is about refraining or abstaining from food or taking just one meal a day. When we fast, our passions and spirit are subdued, and we are able to hear God more clearly.

Christian fast is usually accompanied by prayer. In addition to food restriction, lent also calls us to a period of sacrifice, to give up things and activities that we enjoy. This we call abstinence.

In Catholic tradition, persons between the ages 14-59 are expected to fast obligatorily on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, while we all are expected to abstain on Friday.

But is it just food and meat that we must fast from during Lent? In 2021, Pope Francis made a list of things we could fast from in addition to food:

1. Fast from hurting words and say kind words
2. Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.
3. Fast from anger and be filled with patience.
4. Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.
5. Fast from worries and have trust in God.
6. Fast from complaints; contemplate simplicity.
7. Fast from pressures and be prayerful.
8. Fast from bitterness; fill your hearts with joy.
9. Fast from selfishness and be compassionate.
10. Fast from grudges and be reconciled.
11. Fast from words; be silent and listen.

I know friends who go off WhatsApp and Facebook for the entire Lenten season. Some others, like myself, give off coffee, which I love so much and take every day, and also alcohol. So, depriving ourselves of things we like or habits that are natural to us is another way to observe fasting and abstinence that lent demands.

The Holy Father further stated that: "The call to experience Lent as a journey of conversion, prayer and sharing of our goods, help us – as communities and as individuals – to revive the faith that comes from the living Christ, the hope inspired by the breath of the Holy Spirit and the love flowing from the merciful heart of the Father."

As we journey in this holy season of Lent, it is important that we prepare and be intentional about it. A great way to do this is to pray for the grace to observe it in truth and spirit so we can reap the full spiritual benefits of Lent.

I wish you a refreshing Lenten season.