Interfaith Youth Reflection Series 2024

Fasting Across Various Seasons in Different Religious Traditions

12 March 2024

Organised by Chavara Cultural Centre, Delhi

As part of its ongoing commitment to fostering interfaith dialogue and deeper understanding, the Chavara Cultural Centre, Delhi organized a youth reflection session on 12 March 2024, inviting young voices from diverse religious backgrounds to explore the spiritual significance of self-reflection within their respective traditions.

The session reflected the Centre’s vision of creating platforms where young voices engage meaningfully with faith traditions, fostering dialogue, mutual respect, and shared spiritual learning across communities.

In her reflection, Mariya explained that fasting in Christianity is a spiritual discipline aimed at drawing closer to God. It is a time of introspection, repentance, prayer, and self-discipline. She highlighted the significance of Lent, the 40-day period leading up to Easter, which commemorates Jesus Christ’s 40 days of fasting in the wilderness. For Christian youth, she noted, Lent becomes a meaningful opportunity for reflection and renewal of faith.

She emphasized that fasting strengthens discipline and willpower, whether through abstaining from food, reducing digital distractions, or giving up personal indulgences. In today’s fast-paced and technology-driven world, fasting offers a sacred pause—a chance to quiet the noise and focus on matters of the soul.

Mariya also spoke about the communal dimension of fasting in Christianity, where believers journey together in prayer and mutual encouragement, deepening bonds within the faith community. Importantly, she underscored the need to respect and appreciate the fasting practices of other religions, recognizing that across traditions, fasting is a shared path toward spiritual closeness and self-purification.

Beyond its spiritual dimension, she noted that fasting encourages mindful living and greater awareness of one’s habits and choices. Concluding her reflection, Mariya described fasting as a profound spiritual journey that must be approached with sincerity, humility, and an open heart—leading to growth in faith, compassion, and understanding.

The session featured Ms. Mariya Mathews, a third-year Media student from Christ University, Bangalore, who presented her perspective on the theme “Fasting Across Various Seasons in Different Religious Traditions,” with special emphasis on the Christian understanding of fasting.