389. Pope Francis Proclaimed a Fast Against War in Syria- Why?

Prayer Vigil at the Cathedral of Vittorio Veneto - Italy- Saturday 7th September 2013

Such a title may be misleading or at any rate just too simplified, so let me clear up any doubts immediately. I am not asking why something should be done against the war in Syria but why should the Pope ask Catholics, Christians, unbelievers or whoever to endure a fast, how can fasting have any effects on the war in Syria?

The Bishop of Vittorio Veneto: Mons. Corrado 

If by fasting we mean the not taking in the quantity or choice of food that we would otherwise like, then those of us on a diet know all about that and we also know it has not the least bit of effect on the war in Syria. But fasting is not dieting, it is quite another thing which never actually dawned on me until our Bishop brought it to my notice in the extremely brief homily he gave at the end of the Prayer Vigil held at our Cathedral at the same time as the one taking place at the Vatican last night.

Maybe the Bishop did not use these exact words but it was understand that prayer and fasting are means used to overcome the “Divisor” (he who divides, the Devil) and the qualms that leads us to war against each other. Fasting enables us to fight against the Divisor who induces us to anger and violence... Fasting enables us to restore the sentiments of peace- those sentiments that we feel for one another, here now- the peace that must install itself first in the heart.

For those who are not Christians, it may appear a little bit like magic that fasting can be of any use to bring peace in this our war-torn world but people throughout the world in masses responded to Pope Francis’ appeal to pray and fast against war, not because fasting has some kind of magic power but because the Son of God Himself fasted. But he did not fast for ascetic reasons or because He was told to, but because He had an intense spiritual need to do so- the need to overcome His tempter the Devil in his 40 days in the desert- he ate nothing at all.

But apart from the desert and Gethsemane, Jesus feasted rather than fasted and He certainly did not command His disciples to fast, even though He may have expected them to do so since He said if they do it joyfully they would be rewarded for it.

After taking a good look at the New Testament it seems fasting should be practised not because there is a law or the Church’s tradition demands it, but in time of sorrow. In time of emergency, in time when the Divisor and all his horrendous deeds need to be overcome.  Fasting is a response to a felt need not as the fulfilment of an obligatory formality which it certainly isn’t. If we remember prayer is commanded... but fasting is not, we can only marvel how wonderful the voluntary response from all over the world to the Holy Father’s appeal has been.