Fast Forward

Fr. Russ Bergman
Feb 20
1 min read

Fasting leaves us empty, ideally with purpose. Isaiah highlights the fruits of fasting and the false starts. Fasting that ends with quarrelling and fighting makes matters worse. Where little attention is paid to intention, negative results follow, along with the real impact a lack of food or daily necessities has on our body and mind.

When fasting beings with the right intention, the absence or pain experienced reminds us of the sacrifices made for us. We refocus on the duty owed to help those experiencing emptiness, physically from food, or spiritually from disconnection to God. Fast-forwarding, we find Isaiah calling us to pay it

forward. Helping provide food, clothing, shelter, safety, dignity, and connection are the fruits of fasting. Fasting reminds us of our excesses, freeing us to forward Christian charity where it’s needed most.

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