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Keywords in Gospa's Messages

"FASTING"

By Michael K. Jones

In Matthew 4:2-4 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." Jesus answered, "It is written: `Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'

If Jesus was able to fast for 40 day, most of us should be able to offer one day.

Matthew 6:16-18 "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

Gospa has recommend fasting on Wednesday's and Friday's. As we all know fasting is not always easy. Fasting requires a desire to offer sacrifice. It also requires a great deal of discipline. The Catholic Church guidelines tells us that little children and the elderly are not subject to the rule of fasting, but for those who are within the guidelines, fasting should be a part of life.

For those who just can not fast on bread and water they can offer other sacrifices. Medjugorje visionarys have spoken a lot about this subject in interview. They say that although a fast of bread and water is best, those who can not do this can offer other things that they enjoy in their daily lives.

There are many benefits to fasting. Fasting purifies the body and soul, offers penance for sin, prevent wars, changes the course of nature, and gives rewards to those who practice this sacrifice. Below are some of Gospa's messages in regard to fasting.

July 21, 1982 …Concerning Fasting: "The best fast is on bread and water. Through fasting and prayer, one can stop wars, one can suspend the laws of nature. Charity cannot replace fasting. Those who are not able to fast can sometime replace it with prayer, charity, and a confession; but everyone, except the sick, must fast."

During the apparition of December 25, 1982, to Mirjana, …"You have forgotten that through prayer and fasting you can avert wars and suspend the laws of nature."

SEPTEMBER 20, 1984; "Dear children; Today I ask you to start fasting from your heart. There are many people who fast, but only because everyone else is fasting. It has become a custom which no one wants to stop. I ask this parish to fast out of gratitude to God for allowing me to remain this long in this parish. Dear children fast and pray with your heart. Thank you for your response to my call."

APRIL 25, 1992:"Dear children, today also I invite you to prayer. Only by prayer and fasting can war be stopped. Therefore, my dear little children, pray; and by your life give witness that you belong to me, because Satan wishes, in these turbulent days, to seduce as many souls as possible. ..

JUNE 25, 1992:Ivanka's yearly apparition on Our Lady's Anniversary Feast Day: Our Lady pleaded with us to pray and fast. This is the only weapon against Satan. Satan wants to destroy everything good within us. Through prayer and fasting, we can conquer evil and resist all temptations.

I hope more of you will consider the beauty of fasting.

Michael, webmaster Medjugorje USA

Other Thoughts about Fasting
by Michael K. Jones
In the early years of the Medjugorje apparitions Our Lady talked about fasting and still does in some of the message from time to time. Fasting is a powerful tool to accomplish many goals and remains a great weapon to overcome the wars of evil forces in our personal lives, in the lives of others and for the world.
 
The Church also has guideline for fasting based on age and health, you should be able to search the guidelines online. Our Lady of Medjugorje also told us that God understands fasting on bread and water is impossible for some. She say's even though bread and water is the best form of fast that we can give up other things that are important to us as a form of fasting. Example off top of my head, one could give up coffee and sweets for a day, or promise to say all the decades of the rosary. One could not watch TV for a day and instead of TV offer bible reading. There are so many different ways to offer a fast and all are acceptable.
 
Fasting and abstinence are recorded throughout the history of the church.  The purpose of fasting is spiritual focus, self discipline, imitation of Christ, and performing penance. Fasting and abstinence is also helpful as a sacrifice of offerings for a family loved one, friend in need, souls in purgatory, world peace or many other things that inflicts us, family or the world entire.
 
The question remains as to how long a fast should last. I don't personally know that timing of a fast is written in stone as it were. Speaking for myself when I fast I start my fast after my evening meal the night before with prayer and request. I will not eat anything but only drink water until the evening meal on the next day (bread during the day is acceptable). So it really is a 24 hour fast. Some people think the fast starts when you wake in the morning but these people do not consider they have not eaten all night long either. My point is if you think about it there really is no such thing as a 12 hour fast if you fast according to what I recommend above. So do not view your fast as starting at 6am but view it as starting at 6pm and you can turn your fast into a 24 hour period.
 
If you are still at the age where you are within the guidelines of fasting according to church rule, begin your fast after your evening meal. The next morning I would personally start off with usual morning prayer and special prayer for strength to make it through the fast for the intentions I have requested. Prepare a normal meal you can eat that evening at 6pm. Before eating that meal offer Thanksgiving to God for helping you through your fast day.
 
As noted in the first article above, Our Lady of Medjugorje recommends we fast on Wed. and Fri.
 
Blessings in the Love of Gospa <3

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