Q’s from the Pews: Why do we need to Fast? February 15, 2026

The disciples of John the Baptist pose this question to Jesus: “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” (Mt 9:14) implying that he was neglecting the long tradition of fasting in the Jewish faith. Jesus replies when He is “taken from them; then they will fast” (Mt 9:15). Jesus was not denying the value of fasting, but deepening it, teaching that fasting is a way to get closer to God.

Jesus then changes the tradition of public fasting. “When you fast do not put on sack cloth” (Mt 6:16). What has changed is monumental. Fasting became inextricably linked to internal change. By fasting in private, we get closer to God through the primary virtue of humility. Jesus turned the Jewish public fasting inward toward the development of virtues.

Virtues are habits that change us. They become who we are. Fasting exercises the virtues of temperance and prudence by which we learn to control the temptations around us. When we do this for little temptations (like chocolate), we gain strength to resist greater temptations. Habits/ virtues develop through repetition and practice. Consider adding a day of fasting beyond Lent. Traditionally, these are Wednesday and Friday.