Thomas Aquinas’ Reasons to Fast
St. Thomas Aquinas was Doctor of the Church and is considered one of the Catholic Church’s greatest theologians. Not only did he develop a depth of Catholic theology but his contributions to philosophy were influential worldwide. He was one of the greatest minds in his day and wrote about a broad array of subjects that helped form the backbone of Church thinking.
Notably, St. Thomas wrote about Fasting. Specifically, he wrote that Fasting was a virtuous act. The great saint gave us three specific reasons to fast in his Summa. “Fasting is practiced for a threefold purpose…” Here’s what he said:
1.) Freedom from Sexual Temptation
“First, in order to bridle the lusts of the flesh, wherefore the Apostle says (2 Corinthians 6:5-6): ‘In fasting, in chastity,’ since fasting is the guardian of chastity…lust is cooled by abstinence in meat and drink. “
St. Thomas Aquinas
It’s fascinating that St. Thomas’ first stated reason for fasting is actually more physiological than spiritual. Fasting has the effect of “cooling” our sexual desires in a very real and physical way. For men who struggle with pornography or other sexual addictions, fasting may be a tool that helps aid in that fight.
Fasting isn’t necessarily a panacea, a cure-all, against sexual sins. But if we’re serious about living holy purity, we’d be remiss if we were to overlook this important, practical tool so frequently used by many of our forebears.
2.) Prayer
“We have recourse to fasting in order that the mind may rise more freely to contemplation of heavenly things: hence it is related of Daniel that he received a revelation from God after fasting for three weeks. “
St. Thomas Aquinas
Not just Daniel but keep in mind that Christ himself fasted for 40 days in the wilderness (see Luke Chapter 4) before beginning his ministry. There is something deeply mysterious about the practice of fasting that brings us closer to God by allowing us to contemplate “heavenly things” as Aquinas points out.
3.) Atonement
“Thirdly, in order to satisfy for sins: wherefore it is written (Joel 2:12): “Be converted to Me with all your heart, in fasting and in weeping and in mourning.”
St. Thomas Aquinas
A great example of Fasting for repentance in the Old Testament is the Fast of Nineveh. This took place after the prophet Jonah spoke to the people of Nineveh to preach against their wickedness. The king of Nineveh listened to Jonah and what did he do to atone sin? He proclaimed a fast. “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink.” (Jonah 3:7) The Fast of Nineveh is still practiced by some Eastern Christians to this day.
The Apostle Paul also fasted for three days (Acts 9:9) after he was initially blinded by God. Originally called Saul, he was one of the greatest persecutors of early Christians. In one of the most Hollywood-eque scenes in the New Testament, Christ appears to Paul and blinds him for three days. During that time, Paul “ate nothing, drank nothing” (Acts 9:9). Following his fast, Paul became perhaps the greatest Apostle of early Christianity.