The practice of fasting has been lost in the modern day Church. The scriptural concept of fasting is often misunderstood and not seen in its proper role in the Spiritual life.

Anna, worshiped night and day, fasting and praying Luke 2:37. Jesus fasted: "after fasting forty days and nights he was hungry" Matthew 4:2.

The Hebrew word fasting means "to cover or shut one's mouth." The Greek word means "not to eat". Fasting is a voluntary abstinence from food, not as an end in itself, but as a means to holiness.

Our Lady Queen of Peace calls us to fast. Fasting can stop wars and natural catastrophes. Mary calls us to a two day fast, Wednesday and Friday. We can fast on bread and water. Others may fast from smoking, alcohol or television. Some people may fast by eating food they don't like or by not speaking sharply to a fellow worker or friend. The true fast Mary is calling us is from our sins. As we fast, we will discover the God of love, of hope of faith, and of peace. Through fasting, we will receive strength to overcome evil that is within us.

Jesus has told us that fasting is as necessary as prayer. Since Jesus will return in His glory, fasting remains necessary as a sign of our expectation that perspective gives new sense and meaning to fasting and since it makes us focus on the Lord who is to come, it now acquires an eschatological dimension.

The Church recognizes fasting which has been practiced throughout its history, and has given fasting its true meaning. There are two days left when fasting is obligatory, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. The call of fasting at Medugorje which Mary directs to our age is only a repetition of what Jesus had already said, and of what the early church had put into practice.

Mary calls us to prayer and fasting. By prayer, we attach ourselves to God and by fasting we detach our heart from the good thing's that tie us to the affairs of this world. Fasting will lead us to a new freedom of heart and mind. Fasting is a call from conversion directed to our body. As we free ourselves form things outside of ourselves, we also free ourselves from the passions within us that are keeping our interior life in chains. This freedom makes room in our body for new values. Fasting liberates us from certain bondage and set us free to enjoy happiness.

A radical return to God is the result of prayer and fasting. In these forty days of Lent, let us all return to a deeper level of prayer and fasting. Pray before the crucified Christ with all your heart and watch Easter come alive for you. The following is taken from a sermon by St. Peter Chrysologus, Bishop.

"There are three things by which faith stands firm, devotion remains constant, and virtue endures. They are prayer, fasting and mercy. Prayer knocks at the door, fasting obtains, mercy receives. Prayer, mercy, and fasting: these three are one, and they give life to each other.

Fasting is the soul of prayer, mercy is the lifeblood of fasting. Let no one try to separate them; they cannot be separated. If you have only one of them or not all together, you have nothing. So if you pray, fast; if you fast, show mercy; if you want your petition to be heard, hear the petition of others.

When you fast, see the fasting of others. If you want God to know that you are hungry, know that another is hungry.

Let us offer our souls in sacrifice by means of fasting. There is nothing more pleasing that we can offer to God, as the psalmist said in prophecy: "A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; God does not despise a bruised and humbled heart."

Offer your soul to God, make him an oblation of your fasting, so that your soul may be a pure offering, a holy sacrifice, a living victim, remaining your own and at the same time made over to God."