Not So Fast
"Remember
to keep the Lord's day holy"
Since
ancient times, fasting has been recognized as a beneficial spiritual and bodily
discipline. Christians associate fasting especially with the penitential season
of Lent, but as I mentioned a while ago, as a way of calling to mind Christ's
sacrificial death on the Cross, Fridays throughout the year should also reflect
a penitential spirit, for example, with a personal commitment to abstinence
from meat and limiting oneself to simple meals (both mild variations of
fasting). This is a practical application of the Lord's own recommendation:
"The days will come when the Bridegroom is taken away from them, and then
they will fast!"
Jesus,
however, explained that, just as it would be inappropriate for wedding guests
to sour their joy in the company of the bridegroom, so it would be
inappropriate for His disciples to let anything sour their joy at His presence.
Since every Sunday is the Lord's Day, an observance of His Easter victory over
death and celebration of His resurrected presence, Christians do not fast on
Sundays (even during Lent). The commandment to "Remember to keep the
Lord's day holy" thus means the whole day should be marked with the type
of pervading festive joy which one shows, for instance, when receiving a visit
from a long absent friend. Something to remember for tomorrow!