Carbon Fasting.....Really?

[momor]

The Archdiocese of Washington DC has within its ranks an “Enviornmental Reasearch Council.” They are promoting carbon fasting for Lent. Does this make anyone elses skin crawl that enviornmental issues are being tied to Lent–they even have gone so far as to create a special Lenten calendar to guide our thoughts. See links below and please feel free to leave comments to the blog.

Blog here------------>blog.adw.org/2011/03/10421/

Enviornmental Lenten Calendar attached.

I already do almost everything on that list and I don’t consider myself a greenie, just frugal.

I do think it’s a bit of a stretch as an idea for Lent and could give people the idea it is a substitute for fast and abstinance.

 

[white_sheep]

Why is this troubling? If the idea does not suit your idea of a Lenten fast, than don’t do it. I like the idea of using Lent, a time of penance, to ask people to make certain sacrifices that help the Earth and which they may not have considered otherwise. If the only fast you are doing is taking shorter showers, well, you may have missed the point. But if you make this a part of your penance, how is that a bad thing?

If chaplets aren’t your thing, don’t pray them.

That statement is fine.

This is not a parallel situation to that. This is like replacing the prayers associated with the beads of the rosary with new, environmentally friendly prayers.

 

[puzzleannie]

I am already on a low carb diet so I will have to find another fast

I don’t recognize in myself any right to criticize or comment on how another person or group chooses to observe Lent, beyond what Church law requires.

 

[Abu]

puzzleannie
I don’t recognize in myself any right to criticize or comment on how another person or group chooses to observe Lent, beyond what Church law requires.

It is not only a question of Church law, it is a question of prudently following the time honored and recommended practices for the observance of Lent. This means focusing on ourselves – penance for our sins and prayer; and prayer and good works directed to helping our neighbour.

Many have been bulled by a Gore with the inanity of “global warming” which became, of necessity “climate change” because of the reality that warming was missing, for which mankind is saddled foolishly. When reality is faced, the Church wants Lent to be holy not replaced by the mundane.

The multitudinous techniques now suggested appear to let the secular world set the agenda for Lent by cluttering the important with the far less important.

The day when Catholics feel that they have no right to comment on what is produced in the name of organizations within or without the Church, on the basis of Catholic tradition and recommended good practice will be the day that Our Lord is denied: Christ and His Church’s Scriptures tell us:
“Stop judging by appearances, but judge justly.” (Jn 7:24).
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them” (Mt 7:15, 16).
“Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. So by their fruits you will know them.” (Mt 7:19-20).
“Test everything: retain what is good.” (1Thess 5:21).

It is important not to judge a person’s guilt before God as commanded (Mt 7:1-5). We are commanded not to judge others regarding their motives, intentions, and guilt before God (a judgment reserved to God).

 

[white_sheep]

I don’t recognize in myself any right to criticize or comment on how another person or group chooses to observe Lent, beyond what Church law requires.

I disagree. It is entirely relevant to question innovations and make sure they keep with the meaning and significance of our traditions.

 

[Tigg]

This presupposes that global warming is real and that we are responsible. Again, a political issue having nothing to do with the traditional understanding of fasting as it pertains to cravings of the flesh and penetential sacrifice. I’m all for being a good steward, but I wish they wouldn’t try to pervert the true meaning of Lent.

 

[vera_dicere]

I think its actually a very good idea. If a person carbon fasts and decides to walk/bike to work instead of taking a car, they can use the time in walkign to think about God. the ache in their legs from added exercise, how is that any different than the ache in our bellies when we fast from food?

A big part of Lent is to focus ourselves more on God, and while assisting the planet may be an added footnote from carbon fasting, I think turning off the TV or not using the dryer can lead to teh same focus.

Catholics shouldn’t be threatened by this. We should embrace it, if anything, it should be outside the days of Lent also. There’s so much waste in the western world, especially when there are people in other countries who have so little.

So don’t use a dryer, don’t use your car, and teh money you save on power/petrol give to the poor.

 

[willwhite1951]

I GUESS i of 62 or something…fasting ,lent anf offerings,sacrifices are not about earth but of interiors of man can that possibly tie in with …conversion of heart…how can thjat relate to collecting plactic and refuse,some of the pics or visuals were nice concerning rebuilding what needs repair but…have a beautiful evening and remember to ask for your forgiveness as well as mine…

 

[Tigg]

The spiritual discipline of fasting/abstinence (a serious obligation, btw) which goes hand in hand with prayer and almsgiving, cannot be replaced with sensible good stewardship, and of course, there will be those who find it difficult to distinguish the difference between a “carbon fast” :hypno: and a purely spiritual combat against the passions.

 

[puzzleannie]

I disagree. It is entirely relevant to question innovations and make sure they keep with the meaning and significance of our traditions.

I do not see anything in the statement that orders Catholics across the board to alter the traditional fasting practices of Lent. How is suggesting this practice as one choice one might make for a personal sacrifice during lent any difference than any other suggestion such as giving up TV or fast food? Please quote me the section that changes church law on the topic.

 

[Cristiano]

“Just as sin wrecks creation (as we can see!), so it is restored when the “sons of God” make their appearance. Sunday thus explains the commission given to man in the account of creation: “Subdue [the earth]!” (Gen 1:28). This does not mean: Enslave it! Exploit it! Do it what you will! No, what it does mean is: Recognize it as God’s gift! Guard it and look after it, as sons look after what they have inherited from their father. Look after it, so that it becomes a true garden for God and its meaning is fulfilled, so that for it, too, God is “all in all”. This is the orientation that the Fathers wanted to express by calling the Day of the Resurrection the “eighth day”. Sunday looks not only backward but forward. Looking toward the Resurrection means looking toward the final consummation.”

Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, pg 96, 97 “The Spirit of the Liturgy” - Ignatius Press 2000

I think that Ratzinger opinion is quite clear of what one of our responsibilities is in preparation of the Paschal season as in the case of each Sunday. Denying ourselves in order to recognize and prepare God’s gift for the day of the Resurrection appears to be a meaningful Lenten practice in our times and culture.

 

[white_sheep]

I do not see anything in the statement that orders Catholics across the board to alter the traditional fasting practices of Lent.

No, but it does give it as a viable option and coming from the Archdiocese has an air of authority. It makes it seem as if it is ok to do that as one’s Lenten penance.

How is suggesting this practice as one choice one might make for a personal sacrifice during lent any difference than any other suggestion such as giving up TV or fast food?

It is entirely different. Fasting, abstinence, giving up other things which would constitute some form of actual sacrifice are meaningful and penitential.

Surely you already know these things.

Let’s look at what they propose we do for a carbon fast:
Turn down your thermometer by one degree. Whoopdeedoo.
Combine trips or carpool, walk, bike or use public transportation.
Run the clothes washer on “cold/cold” setting and only when you have full loads.
Check windows and doors for drafts with a ribbon or feather. If it flutters, consider caulking, weather stripping or a draft dodger.
If you’re going to be away from your electronics for over an hour, turn them off.
Let your dishwasher breathe, run only when full and skip the energy intensive drying cycle. Just open the door to dry.
Turn off any lights you are not using. Shut off the lights as you leave a room.

None of these are sacrifices. None are penitential. Using a marginally smaller amount of electricity is not a substitute for proper Lenten practices.

 

[GBR1]

No, but it does give it as a viable option and coming from the Archdiocese has an air of authority. It makes it seem as if it is ok to do that as one’s Lenten penance.

It is entirely different. Fasting, abstinence, giving up other things which would constitute some form of actual sacrifice are meaningful and penitential.

Surely you already know these things.

Let’s look at what they propose we do for a carbon fast:
Turn down your thermometer by one degree. Whoopdeedoo.
Combine trips or carpool, walk, bike or use public transportation.
Run the clothes washer on “cold/cold” setting and only when you have full loads.
Check windows and doors for drafts with a ribbon or feather. If it flutters, consider caulking, weather stripping or a draft dodger.
If you’re going to be away from your electronics for over an hour, turn them off.
Let your dishwasher breathe, run only when full and skip the energy intensive drying cycle. Just open the door to dry.
Turn off any lights you are not using. Shut off the lights as you leave a room.

None of these are sacrifices. None are penitential. Using a marginally smaller amount of electricity is not a substitute for proper Lenten practices.

I saw this thread earlier and was going to say something similar, but white sheep beat me to it. I will expand on it a little though. I’m all in favor of being a good steward of creation. I recycle, I try to use less electricity. I think our country as a whole needs to be much more aware of our impact on the Earth, and I would encourage people to adopt all of these measures, but not as Lenten sacrifices.This is a sad trend I’ve been noticing, more and more Catholics seem to view Lenten sacrifices like they do New Year’s Resolutions. They give up candy, not to practice denying themselves, but because they want to lose 10 pounds. They concentrate on the practical benefits of what they do, while ignoring the much more important spiritual ones.

The whole point of Lent is, as I said earlier, to practice denying ourselves, to make a sacrifice that we can offer up to our Lord, and to grow in His grace. :yup: The only thing I see remotely beneficial spiritually in this are the prayers they suggest and the meditations. None of the other things are sacrificial in nature.

Turn the thermostat down one degree? Really? I bet I could turn mine down 3 and no one in my family would even notice. How is it a sacrifice if no one even notices or feels a difference? If your going to do this, how about turn the heater and AC off completely and when you feel too hot or too cold offer that up.If you’re going to be to be away from your electronics for an hour turn them off"? How about cut an hour out of the time you spend using said electronics and spend it in prayer and scripture reading. Wash on cold/cold? Instead hand wash your clothes the old-fashioned way and humbly offer up your labor for the souls in purgatory. Check your tire pressure? How does this sound for a prayer?

*O Lord, I thank You for all of Your goodness and mercy, in thanksgiving I offer up the act of checking my tire pressure so I can get better gas milage. Amen. *

Personally, I would be ashamed to pray that. I agree that we need to be good stewards of creation, but that’s not what Lent is about. It’s about imitating Jesus Christ in fasting and prayer, and most of these suggestions, while good for the enviorment, do not accomplish that.

So by all means adopt these measure to help improve the Earth, but don’t use them as Lenten sacrifices, because they aren’t sacrifices when you don’t sacrifice anything. If you want to use this guide, alter it in ways similar to those I suggested. Or find a more traditional way to sacrifice, offering up your hunger when you give up snacks between meals is a good example. May you all have a blessed Lent.

Humbly in Christ,
-James

 

[vera_dicere]

None of these are sacrifices. None are penitential. Using a marginally smaller amount of electricity is not a substitute for proper Lenten practices.

But then are people these days even making decent Lenten sacrficies?

What of the vegetarians? What do they stop eating on Fridays?

No lollies, no tv, no meat? Its not hard at all to give these things up. Not any more.

Unless we decide as a Church, or even as individuals, to move back to the really strict Lenten fasting, ie. no animal products, no milk, one meal a day after sunset then I can’t quite see anyone having the moral highground to complain about a group of Catholics who are choosing a more environmentally conscience fast.

And if people really wanted to make a sacrifice, how about turning the thermostat off completely? Or not using any lighting. No TV at all. No internet. Cut themselves off from all the “mod cons”.

Thanks to the quake we had here recently I discovered that it is possible to live without hot showers.

End of the day, if it gets people thinking about God, who are any of us to judge their methods?

 

[Abu]

vera dicere
End of the day, if it gets people thinking about God, who are any of us to judge their methods?

The Catholic Church was not established by Christ to merely get “people thinking about God” but to show the Way, Truth and life who is Christ. We don’t need substitutes, or mundane alternatives.

The day when Catholics feel that they have no right to comment on what is produced in the name of organizations within or without the Church, on the basis of Catholic tradition and recommended good practice, will be the day that Our Lord is denied.

Christ and His Church’s Scriptures tell us to judge actions, speech, writings:
“Stop judging by appearances, but judge justly.” (Jn 7:24).
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them” (Mt 7:15, 16).
“Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. So by their fruits you will know them.” (Mt 7:19-20).
“Test everything: retain what is good.” (1Thess 5:21).

 

[SunshineZA]

I find the ideas entirely in keeping with Lenten sacrifice and hope that after 40 days of doing such, it will become habit.
Did not God give us dominion? Dominion denotes responsibility.

I fully agree. Did the program last year including saying the Rosary and reading everything at Universalis daily for 40 days, and I can tell you, that it was a long 40 days - my spirit grew tremendously. Since then I see and understand my ‘world’ differently. It enriched my soul and was a tremendous blessing. Much of the Lenten experience became a way of life and I now prepare food and boil water on a Solar Stove.

 

[Catholicpotato]

I fully agree. Did the program last year including saying the Rosary and reading everything at Universalis daily for 40 days, and I can tell you, that it was a long 40 days - my spirit grew tremendously. Since then I see and understand my ‘world’ differently. It enriched my soul and was a tremendous blessing. Much of the Lenten experience became a way of life and I now prepare food and boil water on a Solar Stove.

I’m not trying t pick on you but you kind of proved a point here. In trying to show that it is a legitimate lenten practice you state that now you prepare food and boil water on a solar stove (which is fine) but you use it as an example of growing in your faith, but there is nothing in the Catholic faith that involves solar stoves. If anything the disaster that is unfolding in japan is showing us that these silly little sacrifices to the goddess are meaningless in the wake of a real ecological disaster.
I’m glad you found a neat stove, but tell us how you were brought closer to Jesus because that is what Lent should be about.

 

[lizaanne]

Does this make anyone elses skin crawl…

Yes - it absolutely does make my skin crawl, and it saddens me for those who fall for this useless drivel.

Changing light bulbs and recycling DOES NOT MAKE US GROW IN HOLINESS!!! Lent is a time for reflection, discernment of the state of our souls, recognition of Christ’s sacrifice. NONE of the garbage these ridiculous “green” calendars offer does any of this. It is insanity, and it leads people AWAY from Christ and personal holiness, not closer.

I am just floored that there are actually so many out there who think this is harmless and perfectly acceptable. That only tells me that they don’t have clue one that they are being totally played for fools, and they don’t even get it.

Christ, have mercy.

~Liza

 

[puzzleannie]

No, but it does give it as a viable option and coming from the Archdiocese has an air of authority. It makes it seem as if it is ok to do that as one’s Lenten penance.

It is entirely different. Fasting, abstinence, giving up other things which would constitute some form of actual sacrifice are meaningful and penitential.

Surely you already know these things.

.

surely you know that there are endless possibilities for fasting, and that these suggestions might be beneficial for some people if undertaken under the spirit of penance. What pray tell is your issue with people who do find these valid sacrifices, and who set you up as the authority for what is, or is not, Lenten practice?

 

[white_sheep]

surely you know that there are endless possibilities for fasting, and that these suggestions might be beneficial for some people if undertaken under the spirit of penance. What pray tell is your issue with people who do find these valid sacrifices, and who set you up as the authority for what is, or is not, Lenten practice?

God did, when He gave me reason. Switching the knob on the clothes washer to cold/cold cannot be construed as being penitential, ever. Sorry.

Is it possible to do some of these things in a penitential manner in keeping with the spirit of Lenten sacrifice and self-denial? Absolutely, but that isn’t what is being advocated.