MATTHEW 6:16-18
TEACHING ABOUT FASTING
INTRODUCTION
In Matthew 6:16-18, Jesus addresses the practice of fasting, an important spiritual discipline in Jewish tradition and the early Christian community. He emphasizes the significance of the inner disposition over outward appearances. Jesus warns against fasting in a manner that seeks to draw attention to oneself, urging His followers to avoid the hypocritical behavior of those who make their fasting obvious in order to gain the admiration of others. Instead, He teaches that fasting should be a private, humble act of devotion to God, unseen by others but known by the Father who sees in secret.
This passage is part of the larger Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus instructs His disciples on how to live a life pleasing to God. By highlighting the importance of sincerity and humility in religious practices, Jesus shifts the focus from external displays of piety to the true intentions of the heart. He invites His followers to seek a deeper, more authentic relationship with God, one that is not motivated by human approval but by a genuine desire to grow in holiness and grace.
Matthew 6:16 “When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.”
Fasting is a spiritual discipline deeply rooted in both Jewish and Christian traditions. It is more than just abstaining from food; it is an expression of devotion, repentance, and a means to grow closer to God. In the teachings of Jesus, particularly in Matthew 6:16, fasting is addressed not just as a ritual, but as an act that requires sincerity and humility.
When You Fast
Jesus begins His instruction on fasting with the phrase, “When you fast,” indicating that fasting is expected of His followers, but it should be done privately and voluntarily. Unlike the Pharisees, who fasted on specific days to remember events like Moses’ ascension and descent from Mount Sinai, Jesus emphasized that fasting should not be for public recognition. It should be an intimate act of worship and communion with God.
Biblical Examples of Fasting
Throughout the Bible, we see numerous examples of fasting:
1. Supernatural Fast: Moses fasted for 40 days on Mount Sinai, and Jesus also fasted for 40 days in the wilderness before beginning His public ministry. These fasts were extraordinary, sustained by divine intervention.
2. Full Fast: This involves complete abstinence from food and drink for a short period, such as the three-day fast of Esther and Ezra. However, prolonged full fasting can be unhealthy without supernatural support.
3. Liquid Fast: Some fasts involve abstaining from food but not water, as possibly seen in Jesus’ 40-day fast, although the Gospels do not specify whether He drank water.
4. Partial Fast: This involves giving up certain types of food or drink, as Daniel did by eating only vegetables and water during his training in Babylon.
5. Skipping Meals: A common form of fasting involves skipping one or more meals, particularly observed on Ash Wednesday and Fridays during Lent.
Duration and Reasons for Fasting
The duration of fasting can vary from part of a day to 40 days, as seen in various biblical accounts. The reasons for fasting include:
1. Devotion to God: Fasting as an act of worship, like Anna in the Temple (Lk 2:37).
2. Spiritual Strength: To gain strength in times of temptation, as Jesus did.
3. Humility Before God: To seek God’s support, as in Ezra’s fast.
4. Decision-Making: Before making significant decisions, as seen in Judges 20:26.
5. Healing and Protection: For healing or protection against enemies, as demonstrated by David and Jehoshaphat.
6. Forgiveness of Sins: As a sign of repentance, like the people of Nineveh after Jonah’s warning.
7. Grieving: To express sorrow, such as when mourning the dead.
The Proper Attitude in Fasting
Jesus strongly warned against the hypocritical practice of fasting for public admiration. The Pharisees, by making their fasting visible through gloomy faces and disheveled appearances, sought to gain the praise of others rather than the approval of God. Jesus taught that those who fast for public recognition have already received their reward in the form of human praise, leaving no room for divine merit.
God criticized such hypocritical fasting in Isaiah 58:3-5, where the people fasted for selfish reasons, neglecting justice and righteousness. True fasting should be a sincere act of penance and devotion, focused on inner conversion rather than outward appearance.
Catholic Teachings on Fasting
In Catholic tradition, fasting is closely linked with prayer and almsgiving as a way to express conversion towards God, others, and oneself (CCC 1434). It is a practice that calls for humility and a pure heart, avoiding any form of exhibitionism. The true purpose of fasting is to deepen one’s relationship with God and to cultivate a spirit of repentance and renewal.
Reflection
Fasting should be an exercise in sincerity, aiming to bring about inner transformation rather than external recognition. In our fast-paced world, where appearances often matter more than substance, Jesus’ teaching reminds us to focus on the purity of our intentions. Are our spiritual practices truly directed towards God, or are they influenced by a desire for human approval?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You call us to a life of sincerity and humility. Help us to fast with pure intentions, seeking only to grow closer to You. May our acts of penance and devotion be pleasing in Your sight, free from the desire for human recognition. Strengthen us to live authentically as Your children, focused on Your eternal rewards. Guide us in our spiritual journey, that we may always seek Your presence in our lives. Amen.
Matthew 6:17-18 “But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”
In the Jewish tradition, washing the body, especially the hands and face, and anointing oneself with fragrant olive oil were routine practices, especially in a warm climate, for health and hygiene purposes (Jn 12:3; Jm 5:14). Anointing, washing, and changing clothes were not only hygienic but also symbols of joy and normalcy in life. For example, Naomi instructed Ruth to bathe, anoint herself, and put on her best attire to signal the end of her widowhood before approaching Boaz (Ruth 3:3). Similarly, after fasting and praying for seven days when his child was sick, David ended his fast by washing, anointing himself, changing his clothes, and worshiping God (2 Sam 12:20).
However, during the fast on the Day of Atonement, the elders of Israel prohibited the anointing of the head and the washing of the face. Many Jews followed this practice on other fasting days, such as Mondays and Thursdays, making their fasting noticeable to the public. In contrast, Jesus emphasized the importance of the spirit behind the fast – focusing on prayer, repentance, restitution, and acts of charity – over mere external acts of piety. He encouraged those who fasted to maintain a normal appearance, symbolizing a focus on internal disposition rather than external displays.
Jesus’ Teaching on Fasting
Jesus instructed His disciples to fast with sincerity and humility. Unlike the Pharisees, who sought public recognition for their fasting, Jesus called for a different approach – one that was hidden and focused on a personal relationship with God. He highlighted that the goal of fasting is not to gain human approval but to please God. In Matthew 9:14-15, when questioned about why His disciples did not fast like John the Baptist’s disciples and the Pharisees, Jesus responded that they would fast when the bridegroom (Jesus) was taken away. This indicates that fasting remains a vital practice for His followers, but it must be done with the right intentions.
The Catholic Church upholds this teaching, emphasizing that fasting should be done with a sincere heart. The anointing of the head and washing of the face, as mentioned by Jesus, are symbolic acts representing the rejection of self-glorification and the importance of inner spirituality over outward appearances. The promise that “your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you” assures believers that God values and rewards genuine devotion.
Catholic Interpretation and Reflection
The Catholic interpretation of this passage reinforces the importance of sincerity in religious observances. Fasting, along with prayer and almsgiving, is seen as an expression of true interior conversion rather than mere outward acts. This teaching is echoed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1434), which emphasizes that these practices should be directed towards God, not performed for human admiration.
Isaiah 58:6-7 and 1 Samuel 16:7 further support this teaching by emphasizing the deeper purpose of fasting, which is justice, mercy, and charity, rather than mere ritual observance. These scriptures remind us that God values the intentions of the heart over outward appearances.
As Christians, we are called to examine our motives in our spiritual practices. Are we seeking to glorify God, or are we looking for human approval? This passage challenges us to cultivate a personal and sincere relationship with God, focusing on His presence in our lives rather than the opinions of others. By doing so, we align ourselves with the teachings of Christ and open ourselves to the grace and rewards that God promises.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, grant us the grace to seek You with sincerity and humility in all our actions. Help us to fast, pray, and give alms with pure hearts, desiring only to please You. May we always remember that You see what is hidden and reward those who serve You faithfully. Guide us to live according to Your will, and strengthen our relationship with You each day. Amen.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 6:16-18 reminds us that true fasting is a matter of the heart. It is not about outward displays of piety but about an inward posture of humility and devotion to God. Jesus calls us to fast with sincerity, focusing on our relationship with the Father rather than seeking the approval of others. By maintaining a normal appearance during fasting, we emphasize the importance of internal transformation over external recognition, demonstrating that our devotion is directed solely toward God.
As followers of Christ, we are invited to examine our intentions in all spiritual practices. Are we motivated by a desire to deepen our connection with God, or are we driven by the need for human praise? Jesus challenges us to seek God’s approval in secret, knowing that our Father, who sees what is hidden, will reward us. In this way, our fasting, prayer, and almsgiving become genuine expressions of our faith, leading us closer to God’s grace and holiness.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, You who see what is hidden, grant us the grace to fast with sincere hearts, seeking only to grow closer to You. Help us to practice our faith not for the recognition of others but for Your glory alone. May our acts of devotion reflect our love for You and our desire to live according to Your will. Strengthen us in our journey of faith, and guide us to always seek Your presence in our lives. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.