Fasting in Public

When it comes to fasting, especially during Great Lent, going public is definitely NOT recommended. In fact, it is founded upon in the Church. “But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face.” (Matthew 6.17) During Great Lent, our faces should shine they are so clean. But there is something we CAN bring public during Great Lent, and it includes fasting.

Sharing your faith journey with your closest friends may not be public square sort of public, but it is a start. When we are fasting for Great Lent, spending time with non-Orthodox friends or non-fasting Orthodox friends, can be awkward. Do we explain why we ordered a simple salad instead of our regular bacon cheeseburger? Do we snub our hosts by not eating when we are visiting their home? These can be difficult issues to navigate, but ones that in the right circumstances present the perfect “go public” opportunity I’m focusing on his week.

First, we must understand the difference between our closest friends, and the waitstaff at our favorite watering hole. Trust me, the waiter doesn’t care why you are ordering a salad. In today’s contemporary restaurant experience, specialty diets are more and more common, presenting us with a chance to eat out with friends without breaking the fast. With the help of the internet, you can even study the menu ahead of time, even choosing a particular restaurant that has a ‘fasting friendly’ menu. With some practice, you can have a few restaurant choices ‘in your back pocket’ for the unexpected invitation to go out for dinner. I have found, even with close friends, that going out is easier than staying in when it comes to fasting, so if a friend suggests getting together restaurants are always less awkward.

Second, with our true close friends, they most likely already know about our Lenten customs, but if you are taking my advice this year and ‘doing a little more’ than last year, even close friends might not be prepared for your fasting choices. Don’t hesitate to share with your friends your journey. They are your friends after all. Confiding in them is not the same boasting your superiority when it comes to fasting. Let’s not forget the lesson of the Publican and the Pharisee. When it come to our close friends, ‘going public’ can be as simple as being honest with why you would rather go for coffee than dinner, or why you prefer staying home for some peace and quiet. Your friends may benefit from your courage to fast especially if they are Orthodox and having fully embraced the discipline yet.

Finally, we should remember that Great Lent is not the proper time for celebrations in the first place. We should avoid parties when we can, but when we can’t at least act accordingly. If you are in the control of what you eat, all the better so you can avoid certain foods. If all else fails, be polite and don’t make a production about your fasting. Eat something small to keep from insulting your host and find a way to return home as soon as you can. It isn’t easy to fast in public, so if you’re like me, you will eventually learn to politely avoid the situation whenever possible.