In the Church’s tradition, this journey we are asked to take in Lent is marked by certain practices: fasting, almsgiving and prayer. The full reality of fasting is that it is an outer sign of our commitment, with God’s help, to abstain from evil and to live by the Gospel. Those who are unable to nourish themselves with the word of God do not fast properly.
Pope Benedict XVI

Self-sacrifice which denies common sense is not a virtue. It’s a spiritual dissipation.
Margaret Deland

Earthly goods are given to be used, not to be collected. In the wilderness God gave Israel the manna every day, and they had no need to worry about food and drink. Indeed, if they kept any of the manna over until the next day, it went bad. In the same way, the disciple must receive his portion from God every day. If he stores it up as a permanent possession, he spoils not only the gift, but himself as well, for he sets his heart on accumulated wealth, and makes it a barrier between himself and God. Where our treasure is, there is our trust, our security, our consolation and our God. Hoarding is idolatry.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Pour mercy over your fasting so that it can give you its fruit: fasting runs dry in the desert of mercilessness. Mercy fecundates fasting the way rain fecundates the ground.
Jonas Abib

Self-sacrifice which denies common sense is not a virtue. It’s a spiritual dissipation.
Margaret Deland