Ash Wednesday fasting alternatives

  • Thread starter Thread starter DarkLight
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
D

DarkLight

Guest
What are some good things to do for Ash Wednesday, if you are unable to abstain from food? Assuming there’s not a lot of money or stuff nearby, so things like “don’t watch tv” or “volunteer nearby” are out as well.
 
One could fast from tasty food. Eat only what bland food is needed for health.
 
DarkLight said:
What are some good things to do for Ash Wednesday, if you are unable to abstain from food? Assuming there’s not a lot of money or stuff nearby, so things like “don’t watch tv” or “volunteer nearby” are out as well.
Click to expand...
I don’t understand “abstain from food.” Surely the requirement is to abstain from meat, and that the meals that day be “light” with two meals together not exceeding the amount of the principal meal. That’s what I was always taught.
 
Like IrishAm said, pray for others. Pray for those who you may not normally pray for.

Spend time reading parts of the bible that you would not normally read (Numbers for myself comes to mind;))

Are you able to spend time with our Lord at Adoration?

Pray our Lady’s Rosary, offering it up for the intention of ___________

For me, I will pray the Rosary and offer my prayers to God to use how He see’s fit, I work in a restaurant and fasting will be tricky if not impossible because part of my manager responsibilities is to taste the food being prepared to judge for quality BEFORE it is served to the public. Trust me though, this is a part of my job I Offer Up because I, after 4 years, can not stand the food we serve anymore.😛
 
Tarpeian_Rock said:
I don’t understand “abstain from food.” Surely the requirement is to abstain from meat, and that the meals that day be “light” with two meals together not exceeding the amount of the principal meal. That’s what I was always taught.
Click to expand...
I think OP means Fast. Some people can’t fast for medical reasons.

Pray more fervently. That’s the point of fasting anyway: not to stay away from food, but to remind yourself that your body does not live on bread alone. One can go a day without eating. One cannot go a day without the presence of God.
 
Stephen_says said:
I think OP means Fast. Some people can’t fast for medical reasons.

Pray more fervently. That’s the point of fasting anyway: not to stay away from food, but to remind yourself that your body does not live on bread alone. One can go a day without eating. One cannot go a day without the presence of God.
Click to expand...
Not everyone can go a day without eating.
 
Stephen_says said:
I think OP means Fast. Some people can’t fast for medical reasons.
Click to expand...
Yeah that’s the idea. I have certain medical issues which basically mean I eat what I can when I can - it could be dangerous to restrict what I eat for a day.
 
Deo_Gratias42 said:
Not everyone can go a day without eating.
Click to expand...
Plus, the Lenten fast does not even require it… One full meal and two smaller meals are allowed.

If even that isn’t doable, there are plenty of penitential practices that could be added if one desires.
 
DarkLight said:
Yeah that’s the idea. I have certain medical issues which basically mean I eat what I can when I can - it could be dangerous to restrict what I eat for a day.
Click to expand...
Do you remember what you did last year?

I have found that it means more if I do the same thing for Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
 
maryjk said:
Do you remember what you did last year?

I have found that it means more if I do the same thing for Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
Click to expand...
I think I spent last year in bed moping and feeling depressed?
 
DarkLight said:
I think I spent last year in bed moping and feeling depressed?
Click to expand...
A quick search shows that you were sick, and in bed, last year.

It also shows a couple of threads, one started by you, asking about what to do.

Why not do that search and read through those threads. It should give you some ideas.

I searched using the terms Ash Wednesday fasting. And I added your user name, so only threads where you posted on, showed.
 
From a widely circulated e-mail - author unknown.
HOW TO FAST
Click to expand...
Fast from judging others and feast on Christ’s dwelling in them.

Fast from apparent darkness and feast on the reality of light.

Fast from pessimism and feast on optimism.

Fast from thoughts of illness and feast on the healing power of God.

Fast from words that pollute and feast on phrases that purify.

Fast from anger and feast on patience.

Fast from worry and feast on Divine Providence.

Fast from unrelenting pressures and feast on unceasing prayer.

Fast from negatives and feast on positives.

Fast from complaining and feast on appreciation.

Fast from hostility and feast on non-resistance.

Fast from bitterness and feast on forgiveness.

Fast from anxiety and feast on hope.

Fast from yourself and feast on a silent heart.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top