To outsiders, the days of fasting and abstinence appointed by the Church
and their accompanying rules may seem arbitrary and without Biblical
foundation. Nevertheless, Christ bestowed upon the Church power to
legislate, binding and loosing laws for the spiritual benefit of her children
(St. Matt. 16:18; 18:18). These are not simply “man-made commandments”
as some claim, but the obligatory commands of the Church of Christ: “He
who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me, and he who
rejects me rejects him who sent me” (St. Luke 10:16). Not only has the
Church the power to make laws regulating fasting, she also has the moral
responsibility to do so, setting down balanced standards in order to avoid
extremes of laxity or excess. The Church in this regard acts purely as a
mother, guiding her children and ensuring that all within her fold are
capable of undertaking appropriate levels of fasting, taking into account
factors such as the health and age of her children as well as the
environment in which they live.
No one doubts that true fasting must be spiritual and connected with prayer,
repentance and meditation. In this regard Boettner unwittingly echoes the
Catholic Church’s own teaching and the practice of her saints and
numerous millions of other faithful throughout the ages. However, he falls
into the common error of attacking abuse while claiming to be attacking
actual Catholic teaching. Let us abolish abuse, while remembering at the
same time that abuse does not abolish use.
The Fathers
The Didache 7, 1; 8, 1 (c. 90-150 AD)
“Before the Baptism, let the one baptizing and the one to be baptized fast,
as also any others who are able. Command the one to be baptized to fast
beforehand for one or two days ... Bless those who curse you, and pray for
your enemies: fast for those who persecute you ... Do not let your fasts be
with the hypocrites. They fast on Monday and Thursday; but you will fast
on Wednesday and Friday.”
Shepherd of Hermas Parable 5, 3, 2 (c. 140-150 AD)
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