Why should we fast during Lent?

There is a story of a little boy who received lots of chocolates at Christmas.  How he wanted to fill his face with those chocolates immediately!  But his mother said, “I am making a delicious Christmas meal for us and for Grandma and Granddad and, if you eat your chocolates now, you won't be able to eat this lovely meal.”

Of course, the boy was unable to resist.  He ate so much chocolate that not only was he full but he began to feel sick. 

Mum was true to her word, and there was lots of delicious food on the table.  Everyone had a wonderful time eating, drinking and laughing.  Except the little boy who sat there feeling sorry for himself, staring at what he was missing out on.

There was no room in his tummy.

We fallen creatures are not very good at controlling our desires or even knowing what is best for us.  We seek satisfaction, to be filled.  But we fill our lives with so much that is fleeting – the sensory pleasures like food and drink, the security of wealth and possessions, the comfort social of status, etc.  So much so that we leave little room for God. 

Denying ourselves something that we think fulfils us does not come naturally to us.  It needs effort, discipline.

But when we deny ourselves in a spirit of faith we develop new tastes; we begin to recognise that what we thought gave us happiness, didn’t really.  We come to recognise that a much deeper, more fulfilling happiness is found in the Lord, and in being and doing what he wants us to be and do. 

But are we willing to take that risk?  Are we willing to be more than we are now?

It’s not too late – if you haven’t done so already, deny yourself something this Lent, so that you can leave room for God.