Fasting includes abstaining from food according to the Church’s order, but it does not end there. It restrains bodily desire and turns the whole person toward repentance, prayer, mercy, reconciliation, and almsgiving.
What the Church teaches
The mouth fasts from food, the tongue from destructive speech, the eyes and ears from what inflames sin, and the hands from injustice. This self-emptying makes room to seek God and serve the neighbor. Fasting belongs with prayer and mercy; separated from them it can become diet, pride, or mere rule-keeping.
Live it this week
Receive the fasting rule from the Church, add a modest daily prayer and Scripture reading, reduce entertainment that scatters the mind, reconcile with someone, and quietly give what you save to a person in need.
When personal guidance matters
Children, pregnant or nursing people, older adults, and anyone with illness, medication needs, or an eating-disorder history need personal guidance from a priest and qualified clinician. Do not improvise a harsh rule or judge another person’s plate.
Sibhat prepared this original answer from the sources listed above. For personal or sacramental guidance, speak with your parish priest.