QUESTION : In Lent we specially seek to turn to God, to improve our relationship with Him. We can hardly do this if we are always distracted by social networks, television, and electronic games. Is a digital fast perhaps the most beneficial fast for many of us? – Mijo Johnson
ANSWER: Jacob Parappally MSFS
Lent is a time lent to us by our Lord and God to turn to Him more intensely than at any other season of the liturgical calendar. It is a time for inner purification and for coming closer to the Lord through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. These were also Jewish practices. However, Judaism did not mandate forty days of obligatory fasting and prayer.
Moses fasted for forty days on three separate occasions on Mount Sinai: before receiving the tablets of the Ten Commandments, after breaking the tablets upon seeing the idolatry of his people, and after receiving the second set of tablets (Exodus 34:28, Deuteronomy 9:9-18). When Moses came down from the mountain, his face shone with such brightness that the people of Israel could not look at him directly. Following Moses, some individuals fasted for forty days to draw closer to the Lord and to pray for the community. The Prophet Elijah also fasted for forty days when he journeyed to Mount Horeb, where he encountered God in a “still small voice” (1 Kings 19:8). Jesus, the New Moses, according to the evangelist Matthew, also fasted for forty days in preparation for His public ministry.
Fasting brings us closer to God and to others by helping us overcome our self-sufficiency, surrender to God, and become more aware of the basic needs of our brothers and sisters. Living in a consumerist society, we are tempted to acquire the best available goods and accumulate things we may not actually need. We tend to choose what we want rather than what we truly need. Lent is a time to examine ourselves and reassess our priorities. Do I prioritize pleasure and comfort over discipline and self-sacrifice? Am I sensitive to the needs of others? Can I feel the pain of those deprived of basic necessities? Is my relationship with God reduced to a few vocal prayers? Can I experience God’s presence in every event of my life? Indeed, Lent is a time given to us to renew our lives.
The season of Lent offers us a sacred opportunity to break from our routine way of relating to God and others, leading to a more conscious, personal, and intense relationship. This season invites us to cultivate a spirit of contemplation, seeing God in everything and everything in God. It calls us to appreciate the beauty of nature—the sunrise and sunset, the diverse colors of flowers, the birds of the air, the fish of the sea, the water we use daily, and the trees and plants that symbolize the grandeur of God’s love. Lent also invites us to journey inward and recognize God as the light that enlightens us. Then, we begin to see that everything we do or say becomes a prayer—an expression of our loving relationship with God and our brothers and sisters. Our openness to God in prayer, speaking to Him as a friend, deepens our intimacy with Him and makes our relationships with others more genuine and sincere.
For this reason, Jesus says, “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:5-6). The “room” symbolizes the inner chamber of our heart, and “closing the door” represents shutting out distractions from our five senses that may hinder our intimacy with God. The Lenten season is a time to deepen our relationship with the Lord.
Jesus warns against using fasting as a means of self-glorification. If fasting is not undertaken as a discipline and a way to develop empathy for others, it holds no value. If it is done for recognition, it is meaningless in the eyes of God. Jesus says, “And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:16-18).
What reward does the Father give to those who fast in secret or without seeking publicity? There is no greater reward from God than the unfolding of a person as an authentic human being. When someone cultivates intimacy with God through prayer, fasting helps them grow into a better person. When human beings become truly human, they reflect the glory of God.
More than simply abstaining from food or other pleasures, or even in addition to such fasting, what is urgently needed in our times is digital fasting. Digital fasting means intentionally disconnecting, even temporarily, from digital devices such as mobile phones, computers, and social media platforms. While it may not always be possible to completely disconnect, one can drastically reduce the time spent on private digital indulgences and unnecessary communication.
In an era of uncontrolled internet availability and unlimited access to digital communication platforms, digital fasting can help individuals regain control over their digital consumption. Excessive use of digital devices has serious negative consequences. Continuous use of them can lead to addiction, much like alcohol or drugs, stripping individuals of their freedom and making them slaves to their habits. Digital dependency can result in psychological and spiritual problems such as stress, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and, most importantly, a breakdown in communication between spouses, parents, children, and family members.
Some individuals are so addicted to their mobile phones that they compulsively check for new messages or social media updates. Digital fasting invites such individuals to reduce their screen time, take breaks from digital distractions, and focus on their responsibilities and important tasks. Many people are not even aware that they have become addicted to their digital devices. The season of Lent offers an opportunity to practice digital fasting, enabling individuals to concentrate on their duties and responsibilities while deepening their intimacy with God through prayer and spiritual exercises.
Digital fasting brings many positive benefits. First, it frees the mind from unnecessary thoughts and distractions, creating a sense of tranquility and peace. It helps improve mental balance, allowing individuals to make better judgments about what is necessary and important versus what is trivial. Digital fasting also enables people to become less swayed by emotions.
Additionally, it helps individuals focus on planned tasks and accomplish them more efficiently. The time saved through digital fasting can be invested in building deeper interpersonal relationships. It fosters stronger bonds with family and friends. While it is easy to live in a virtual world without real commitments, digital fasting brings individuals back to the real world of human relationships and responsibilities, improving the overall quality of life.
By taking a break from excessive digital engagement or reducing the use of digital gadgets, individuals can rediscover the joy of exploring their inner world. This leads to a greater awareness of personal strengths and weaknesses. With the grace of God, they can overcome their weaknesses and build on their strengths.
St Paul says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God—what is good, acceptable, and perfect” (Romans 12:2). Lent is a time for renewing our minds. For those of us who rely heavily on digital communication and have reached a point where digital devices begin to control us, it is essential to reclaim our freedom through self-discipline. We can set goals for digital fasting by asking ourselves: What is the specific purpose of my digital fast? Is it to improve concentration and focus on our work? Is it to enhance the quality of our relationships with loved ones? Or is it both?
To begin with, start by abstaining from digital devices for short periods and gradually extend the duration over time. Minimize digital distractions by restricting mobile phone and computer use. Set firm resolutions, such as avoiding mobile phones at the dining table and in the bedroom. If necessary, allocate specific times for checking and sending messages rather than doing so constantly. Instead of spending excessive time on mobile devices, engage in alternative activities like reading, exercising, or pursuing hobbies.
In an age where human beings are increasingly becoming slaves to technology, it is imperative to break free from this dependency through self-discipline. Digital fasting is a means to regain self-mastery and enhance the quality of life. It affirms that the devices created by humans should serve as tools to enrich life rather than diminish it. Scientific and technological advancements must be used to strengthen human relationships and foster deeper communion. Ultimately, fasting—especially digital fasting—should bring us closer to both God and one another. When practiced with the right intention, fasting leads to a true feast of love and communion.
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