April 1, 2009

‘He Fasted’: A reflection on the Pope’s 2009 Lenten Message

Fasting and what it means to me

By Sam N. Perry

Being born into an Italian family in Welby, Colo., in 1939, and reflecting on my life, I can honestly say that, today, I have a zeal for God and family that I could never have imagined when I was younger.

Church, Communion, confession, fasting and the rosary were a big part of my family upbringing. We lived on a 10-acre vegetable farm on 57th Avenue and Franklin Street where we shared a house with my mother’s parents until we moved into Denver’s Park Hill neighborhood in 1946.

My first Communion was at Blessed Sacrament Church, and I was initially introduced to fasting as a young teenager. In those days, in order to receive Communion on Sunday, we could not eat or even drink water after midnight. I was 14 years old, working at the Tower Theatre on 22nd Avenue and Kearney Street. On Saturday nights after work, I often would go across the street to the Pizza Roma. While I enjoyed the conversation and friendship, it was hard to sit and watch my friends eat pizza and drink Coke after midnight. It was a spiritual inconvenience that was well worth it every week! 

Fasting also meant that we would only eat two small meals and one bigger meal per day. Therefore, we would have extra food to give to the poor.

According to the Dictionary of the Bible by John L. McKenzie, S.J., fasting or the abstention from food is found in many ancient and modern religions.  For example, fasting is mentioned in the Old Testament in l Samuel, Nehemiah, Jeremiah, Judges, Jonah, Exodus, 1 Kings, Isaiah, Esther and many more books.  In the Hebrew Scriptures and among the Jews today, there is only one day of fasting, the Day of Atonement.  However, there were many days of fasting in Old Testament history.

After the death of Jesus, Christians continued fasting to prepare themselves to be closer to the mysteries of our faith—the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

About 24 years ago, fasting became a greater part of my spiritual life.  A Lenten mission at the Church of the Risen Christ by a priest from the Spiritual Life Institute in Crestone, Colo., inspired my charming wife to give me a four-day solitary retreat for a Father’s Day gift. I continued it yearly and enjoyed it and, eventually, it became a 10-day retreat with daily fasting.

I stayed in a hut at an elevation of 9,100 feet with no running water or electricity. Moreover, I did not see anyone or talk to anyone during the 10 days.  Daily I read the Bible (but had trouble understanding it), did devotionals, walked, meditated and prayed the rosary several times.

I extended my 10-day fast to include three days with no food, water only.  It was during this time that my thoughts were most clear. I decided when I returned home, after fasting and being in solitude, knowing that I was 64 years old, I wanted to take the archdiocesan Catholic Biblical School four-year program before it was too late. My wife supported me and together we are finishing our fourth year of school.  As a result, the daily Masses have more life and the Scripture readings and Gospels have more meaning.

As Christians, we are called to follow Jesus’ example and to be holy.  I can honestly say that when I have fasted, although my body felt weak, my spirit was strong. My heart and my soul were coordinated to come into deeper meaning of faith and service. Fasting has also allowed me to give and show my thanks for the many blessings that have been given to my family, my friends, and myself through this journey called life. Truly, life is a gift to be enjoyed, not a problem to be solved!

Sam N. Perry is a member of the Church of the Risen Christ. He is chairman of the Real Estate Committee for The Catholic Foundation.