40 Days of Grace (Day 3): Does Lenten Fasting Only Mean Avoiding Certain Foods?

The sacred season of Lent is often associated with fasting from food—abstaining from meat, skipping meals, or giving up certain types of food. While these physical acts of self-denial are valuable, fasting goes far beyond just modifying our diet. The true essence of fasting during Lent is about spiritual transformation. It is about disciplining our hearts, minds, and actions to become more Christ-like.

Fasting from Bad Habits

One of the most meaningful ways to observe fasting is by refraining from habits that harm our spiritual growth. More than just avoiding certain foods, we should strive to eliminate behaviours that weaken our character and distance us from God. This could include fasting from:

- Foul language

- Gossiping and speaking ill of others

- Watching inappropriate content that does not align with Christian values.

By fasting from these habits, we exercise self-discipline and allow the Holy Spirit to work within us. Lent then becomes a time of true renewal, where we replace bad habits with virtues that bring us closer to God.

Sacrificing Pleasure for a Greater Purpose

True fasting also includes giving up things that bring us pleasure—not because they are sinful, but because self-denial strengthens our will and helps us grow spiritually. This could mean:

- Drinking tea or coffee without sugar and donating the money saved to a charitable cause.

- Abstaining from television or movies and spending that time in prayer or scripture reading.

- Giving up your favourite type of music to cultivate inner silence and make space for spiritual growth.

These small acts of sacrifice help mortify our souls, teaching us to detach from worldly comforts and focus on what truly matters—our relationship with God.

The Goal: A Reformed and Renewed Self

Lent is a season of preparation. If we make a sincere effort to fast not just from food but from bad habits and unnecessary pleasures, by the end of these 40 days, we will emerge transformed. We will have cultivated discipline, strengthened our faith, and purified our hearts. The goal is to emerge as a new and improved version of ourselves—one who is free from sinful habits and more focused on our relationship with God.

Let us remember: fasting is not just about what we give up, but about what we become. May this Lent be a time of true conversion, where we strip away not just indulgences but also the vices that hold us back from holiness.

By Steve Antao