There are two days within the Roman Catholic calendar that are designated as Days of Fasting - today, the beginning of Lent, Ash Wednesday ... and Good Friday during the Triduum. Those two days, plus every Friday during Lent, are also Days of Abstinence (meatless days).
There are many levels of fasting that have surfaced over the centuries, and what we call Fasting in today's Church is hardly a hardship or sacrifice. Officially, to Fast means to eat only one full meal during the day, and two smaller meals. [That is more than I normally sit down to eat each day] Of course there are reasons why this Fast cannot be followed, health being a primary one.
So why are we encouraged to Fast? How can Fasting be a sacrifice that betters our lives? Pope Francis recently spoke of what we can "Fast From" this Lent that will make a difference.
Here is what he said:
Fast from hurting words and say kind words.
Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.
Fast from anger and be filled with patience.
Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.
Fast from worries and have trust in God.
Fast from complaints; contemplate simplicity.
Fast from pressures; be prayerful.
Fast from bitterness; fill hearts with joy.
Fast from selfishness and be compassionate.
Fast from grudges and be reconciled.
Fast from words; be silent and listen.
No comments:
Post a Comment