A problem about Ash Wednesday

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ATeNumquam

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I’ve always observed the Ash Wednesday fast & abstinence and do not have a casual attitude to it, so I’m in a dilemma about this coming one.

In my workplace, the boss has organised a celebratory “morning tea” to celebrate our department’s “restructuring”, and various ex-staff members and suppliers have been invited. It doesn’t involve alcohol, but does mean there will be a lot of very nice and festive food.
And it would be on Ash WednesdayI:(
I don’t want to be there!! I certainly don’t want to break the fast (which, I understand, means not eating between meals). I wouldn’t be tempted by the food, but what sort of an idiot would I seem if I didn’t participate? Not to mention people getting at me every few minutes to eat this or that!
I guess some here (or all) would announce to others by way of explanation that it is Ash Wednesday and I’m fasting, but there isn’t anyone else there who is a Catholic, or even a Christian that knows about Ash Wednesday, so I would be seen as a religious nutter.

OK, I could call in sick to avoid it, but that would be lying.

So, what would you do??? Any bright ideas?

Thanks! (I’m off to bed, BTW, so if I don’t respond, I will some time late tomorrow)
 
I would try and find a really early Mass, some I know are at 7.00a.m.

I would rock up to work with the ashes on my forehead, and if anyone asked or stared I would explain what Ash Wednesday is all about.

I would enjoy the social aspect of the morning tea and join in the celebrating, but not eat.

If anyone asked as to why I wasn’t eating I would explain what Ash Wednesday is, and the obligation to fast.

I don’t think anyone will think you are a religious nutter, and so what if they do.

I think many people actually admire discipline when it comes to their religious rituals. e.g Jews sticking to the no pork rule.

The people that have no faith at all, or no discipline are actually the ones that would be the first to call you a nutter, it just shows their ignorance.

Hope that helps
 
ATeNumquam said:
I’ve always observed the Ash Wednesday fast & abstinence and do not have a casual attitude to it, so I’m in a dilemma about this coming one.

In my workplace, the boss has organised a celebratory “morning tea” to celebrate our department’s “restructuring”, and various ex-staff members and suppliers have been invited. It doesn’t involve alcohol, but does mean there will be a lot of very nice and festive food.
And it would be on Ash WednesdayI:(
I don’t want to be there!! I certainly don’t want to break the fast (which, I understand, means not eating between meals). I wouldn’t be tempted by the food, but what sort of an idiot would I seem if I didn’t participate? Not to mention people getting at me every few minutes to eat this or that!
I guess some here (or all) would announce to others by way of explanation that it is Ash Wednesday and I’m fasting, but there isn’t anyone else there who is a Catholic, or even a Christian that knows about Ash Wednesday, so I would be seen as a religious nutter.

OK, I could call in sick to avoid it, but that would be lying.

So, what would you do??? Any bright ideas?

Thanks! (I’m off to bed, BTW, so if I don’t respond, I will some time late tomorrow)
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I would eat nothing or just bread and water, and perhaps fruit, for the other two meals of the day, and then partake, with discretion, of the goodies at the morning tea.

Have literally a bite of everyone’s offerings if the food’s really being pushed on you. If people are rude enough to comment on how much you’re eating or not eating then just say something polite but vague like ‘Oh, I had a good dinner last night’ or something.

Or even make a joke like ‘You know boa constrictors eat enough at one meal to last them for three weeks? I’m kinda the same. Just my luck, I ate last week’
 
LilyM said:
Or even make a joke like ‘You know boa constrictors eat enough at one meal to last them for three weeks? I’m kinda the same. Just my luck, I ate last week’
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Or even just tell the truth. Something like, “I’m Catholic, today is Ash Wednesday, and I’m fasting.” If Christ could put up with the embarrassment of being crucified naked in public, owning up to Ash Wednesday observance ought not be too big a deal.

Just a thought.

– Mark L. Chance.
 
Just because people are not the same religion as you does not mean they cannot comprehend religious observance or respect it.

If a Muslim walked into the party and said they could not partake because it was Ramadan then that would be the end of it. And, it should be the same for you. Just simply say, “No thank you, today is Ash Wednesday and I am observing a fast.”

If they think you are a “religious nutter” then so be it. It seems you care an awful lot about what other people think. Perhaps this would be a good way to face up to that phobia and conquer it.
 
You don’t have to say anything.

You could not eat breakfast until the tea, and then only eat the plainer fare,

or just drink tea and don’t eat at all. No one is recording your diet and I doubt anyone will notice

or put food on your plate, push it around, crumple some up a bit, and they will think you ate. I do this all the time. It works.
 
ATeNumquam;1915994). I wouldn’t be tempted by the food said:
number one, nobody is going to pay any attention to what you do or do not eat. take a cup of tea and use the universal excuse, sorry, it looks wonderful but I’m on a diet. You will have company with about half the people in the room.
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puzzleannie said:
…and use the universal excuse, sorry, it looks wonderful but I’m on a diet. You will have company with about half the people in the room.
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Again, why lie? What is so hard about saying, “I’m Catholic. It’s Ash Wednesday. I’m fasting today.”?

– Mark L. Chance.
 
ATeNumquam said:
I’ve always observed the Ash Wednesday fast & abstinence and do not have a casual attitude to it, so I’m in a dilemma about this coming one.

In my workplace, the boss has organised a celebratory “morning tea” to celebrate our department’s “restructuring”, and various ex-staff members and suppliers have been invited. It doesn’t involve alcohol, but does mean there will be a lot of very nice and festive food.
And it would be on Ash WednesdayI:(
I don’t want to be there!! I certainly don’t want to break the fast (which, I understand, means not eating between meals). I wouldn’t be tempted by the food, but what sort of an idiot would I seem if I didn’t participate? Not to mention people getting at me every few minutes to eat this or that!
I guess some here (or all) would announce to others by way of explanation that it is Ash Wednesday and I’m fasting, but there isn’t anyone else there who is a Catholic, or even a Christian that knows about Ash Wednesday, so I would be seen as a religious nutter.

OK, I could call in sick to avoid it, but that would be lying.

So, what would you do??? Any bright ideas?

Thanks! (I’m off to bed, BTW, so if I don’t respond, I will some time late tomorrow)
Click to expand...
My advice is to walk in your faith. Fast and do not break the fast no matter what. If people ask you why you are at the tea and not eating…that is a good time for you to witness a little to them. Tell them that you are Catholic and that you are observing Ash Wednesday through fasting. Also tell them why we have Ash Wednesday.
 
mlchance said:
Or even just tell the truth. Something like, “I’m Catholic, today is Ash Wednesday, and I’m fasting.” If Christ could put up with the embarrassment of being crucified naked in public, owning up to Ash Wednesday observance ought not be too big a deal.

Just a thought.

– Mark L. Chance.
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I concur! Why bother with excuses, it solves nothing and well, its tacky. These are presumably adults and should therefore act like adults.
 
I say take the advice given - use the Tea as your breakfast or take a small plate with some bites and follow what Christ told us in Matt 6:16-18

"When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.

But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you. "
 
Who cares if people think you’re a religious nut? Their opinion of you means NOTHING compared to God’s opnion of you. Do not be ashamed of Him and do not prefer the praise of mere worldly mortals.

As Pope Leo XIII said:

Truly, he who disdains the worthless judgments of the mob, who prefers to undergo the scourging of insults rather than abandon duty in any matter, proves himself to be of a far greater and exalted spirit 👍

True humilty involves not being ashamed of your faith. Remember, whoever denies Jesus before men will be denied by Him before the Father.

Likewise, this is a good opportunity to share your faith. If people ask, explain to them why we fast and do penance. Who knows, you may plant some seeds. 🙂

If you feel worried, pray this prayer before entering:

O Jesus, meek and humble of heart,
Hear me.

From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being loved,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being honored,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being praised,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being approved,
Deliver me, O Jesus.

From the fear of being humiliated,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being despised,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected,
Deliver me, O Jesus.

That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That, in the opinion of the world,
others may increase and I may decrease,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I go unnoticed,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I,
provided that I may become as holy as I should,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
 
ATeNumquam said:
I’ve always observed the Ash Wednesday fast & abstinence and do not have a casual attitude to it, so I’m in a dilemma about this coming one.

In my workplace, the boss has organised a celebratory “morning tea” to celebrate our department’s “restructuring”, and various ex-staff members and suppliers have been invited. It doesn’t involve alcohol, but does mean there will be a lot of very nice and festive food.
And it would be on Ash WednesdayI:(
I don’t want to be there!! I certainly don’t want to break the fast (which, I understand, means not eating between meals). I wouldn’t be tempted by the food, but what sort of an idiot would I seem if I didn’t participate? Not to mention people getting at me every few minutes to eat this or that!
I guess some here (or all) would announce to others by way of explanation that it is Ash Wednesday and I’m fasting, but there isn’t anyone else there who is a Catholic, or even a Christian that knows about Ash Wednesday, so I would be seen as a religious nutter.

OK, I could call in sick to avoid it, but that would be lying.

So, what would you do??? Any bright ideas?

Thanks! (I’m off to bed, BTW, so if I don’t respond, I will some time late tomorrow)
Click to expand...
Wear your ashes and evangelize. Maybe you can’t eat but you can have some tea.
Micki
 
shirleytowers said:
You don’t have to say anything.

You could not eat breakfast until the tea, and then only eat the plainer fare,

or just drink tea and don’t eat at all. No one is recording your diet and I doubt anyone will notice

or put food on your plate, push it around, crumple some up a bit, and they will think you ate. I do this all the time. It works.
Click to expand...
Isn’t such a deliberate waste of food improper?
 
chotock said:
I concur! Why bother with excuses, it solves nothing and well, its tacky. These are presumably adults and should therefore act like adults.
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Some people would feel as if they were not following what Christ said when He told us to: Don’t wear sackcloth and ashes when we fast, only let God know etc. If this is how someone would feel, that they were boasting in some way, they should not tell WHY they are not eating, but neither should they lie. It is possible to politely refuse without reason.
 
What an awesome opportunity to teach others about the faith! I agree with the other posts; sport your ashes proudly and remind others that Catholics fast during Lent. If you have yet to have breakfast at ‘tea time’, simply have a beverage and a small tidbit to eat such as a roll or crackers. Think of the sufferings of Christ when you are tempted by the goodies. You’ll be all the better for it.

God bless you!

Kelly

👍
 
mlchance said:
Again, why lie? What is so hard about saying, “I’m Catholic. It’s Ash Wednesday. I’m fasting today.”?

– Mark L. Chance.
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Seems simple enough to me. Why let embarrassment stop you from witnessing for Christ. You don’t have to be ashamed about it.
I doubt anyone will even notice if you eat or not.
 
You are allowed one large meal on Ash Wed. If I were in your shoes I would make this meal my main one of the day and enjoy the non-meats dishes with retraint. If you want to do a total fast, pick another day.
 
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