In this ordinary time, nothing seems ordinary. We need supernatural means and strength that comes from the Silence of God to be able to respond to the world with humility and in the power of His name. Let's continue fasting as Christians did for centuries and many still do, on Wednesdays (the day Judas betrayed Jesus) and Fridays (the day Jesus died o the cross).
“Yet even now,” says the Lord,
“return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
and rend your hearts and not your garments.”
Return to the Lord, your God,
for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,
and repents of evil.
Who knows whether he will not turn and repent,
and leave a blessing behind him,
a cereal offering and a drink offering
for the Lord, your God?
Blow the trumpet in Zion;
sanctify a fast;
call a solemn assembly;
gather the people.
Sanctify the congregation;
assemble the elders;
gather the children,
even nursing infants.
Let the bridegroom leave his room,
and the bride her chamber.
Between the vestibule and the altar
let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep
and say, “Spare thy people, O Lord,
and make not thy heritage a reproach,
a byword among the nations.
Why should they say among the peoples,
‘Where is their God?’”
Early Christians practiced four fasts yearly: Nativity, Lent, Apostles and Dormition. Today, mostly Eastern Christians (Orthodox, Eastern rite Catholics, Antiochian, Copts) still observe all four.
guidelines:
Fasting should be done after personal discernment, consultation with spiritual director and/or a doctor, in case you have some health issues.
Types of fasts:
1. Water fast: you drink only water throughout the whole fast.
2. Liquid fast: you drink only water, veggie broth, herbal teas and highly diluted juices.
3. Daniel fast: as in the Book of Daniel chapter 1, you eat only vegetables, including juicing or as in the Daniel chapter 10, you eat vegetables, fruits, grains. You drink only water and herbal teas.
4. Abstinence fast: you abstain from certain kinds of foods, and you moderate the amount of food you eat.