A place within life

Prayer is specific in time and place; giving alms is specific in time and place. But fasting is within life. In the course of everything else, one can fast. In fact, this is how Jesus teaches us to fast.

"And whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance in order to be seen fasting by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your fast so that you may not be seen fasting by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will repay you." Matthew 6:16-18

Fasting is to be done within life, without any obvious indication to others that something is happening.

This practice is not like prayer: prayer involves communication, but fasting does not. It is not like giving to the poor: alms involves giving money, but fasting does not. Nothing is given, yet Jesus says that our Father will repay us. God is repaying us for something that we have done, yet fasting is the absence of eating.

Prayer is directed at God; alms are directed at the needs of our fellow man. God repays us for these things. Fasting is not directed at God, nor is it directed at our fellow man. Fasting is directed at our soul. We are humbling our soul through fasting. This is what God is repaying. Humbling our soul is just as much a work of faith as prayer or giving alms. It is significant to God, or He would not repay us for it.

Fasting, or any of the disciplines of denial, are just as much a part of the work of God as any of the disciplines of involvement. Our soul is of great value; it is worth more than the whole world. That which works to humble our soul works to bring a full salvation in life.

Each of these three disciplines - alms, prayer, and fasting - are significant. Each is rewarded. But each is different; each serves a different purpose. Prayer alone does not take the place of alms and fasting. All three are necessary.

The disciplines of denial fill a place within life that other disciplines do not.

Fasting is just as necessary as eating. We are hungry: hungry for something that food cannot satisfy.