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adrift
Guest
Why the sarcastic remark. Did I offend you? How?
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Kendy
Guest
Okay. Need to go to bed so I can wake up earlier. Or maybe I will blow off all religious activites and sleep in an extra hour, and make myself a cheddar cheese omelette. Yum. 
Kendy
Kendy
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Sandi
Guest
Yikes! Is this an example of what you get like when you’re hungry??
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Kendy
Guest
No, I am not upset with you… SorryWhy the sarcastic remark. Did I offend you? How?
Kendy
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Kendy
Guest
Yes, it’s not pretty. Beware!!!Yikes! Is this an example of what you get like when you’re hungry??
Kendy
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ElizabethPH
Guest
“To receive Holy Communion worthily it is necessary to be free from mortal sin, to have a right intention and to obey the Church’s laws on the fast required before Holy Communion out of reverence for the body and blood of Our Divine Lord.”
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Balance
Guest
I can understand your annoyance Kendy. Look at it this way - behind every “no” in the Catholic Church is an bigger “yes.” The “no” of fasting before Mass is to help us to prepare for the “yes” of what is going to happen in the Mass - we are going to receive Christ. We have to try to move from “I fast because the Church says I have to” to “I fast because I love Christ” and we make that shift, over time, through prayer and reflection.Yes, I would like to have the eucharist more often than not right after a nice, healthy breakfast. I wish someone had warned me that I was joining the church 10,000 rules. I am annoyed.
When we make the decision not to eat for an hour before receiving communion, ideally that sacrifice, and the space in the heart that fasting gives, will help us to spend some time preparing to encounter Christ again in the Eucharist.
Christians have always found that fasting helps to clear the mind and prepare the heart. That’s why the Church says we should make the effort to fast before Mass - who wouldn’t want to have a clear mind and an open heart before receiving the Eucharist?
Like any rule or discipline of the Church, if we are approaching it in terms of “what can i get away with” or “what do I have to do to get what I want but make sure I’m not sinning” (I’m not saying this is where you’re coming from) instead of “here I am God, I want to be with you, show me how” it will always seem arid and legalistic instead of liberating and lifegiving.
Hope that helps in some way.
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Kendy
Guest
Wait a minute. I have hypoglycemia (sp) which makes my blood sugar drop when I don’t eat regularly, especially in the moring, and then I feel dizzy. Surely, I can get a medical exemption. Yippie.I can understand your annoyance Kendy. Look at it this way - behind every “no” in the Catholic Church is an bigger “yes.” The “no” of fasting before Mass is to help us to prepare for the “yes” of what is going to happen in the Mass - we are going to receive Christ. We have to try to move from “I fast because the Church says I have to” to “I fast because I love Christ” and we make that shift, over time, through prayer and reflection.
When we make the decision not to eat for an hour before receiving communion, ideally that sacrifice, and the space in the heart that fasting gives, will help us to spend some time preparing to encounter Christ again in the Eucharist.
Christians have always found that fasting helps to clear the mind and prepare the heart. That’s why the Church says we should make the effort to fast before Mass - who wouldn’t want to have a clear mind and an open heart before receiving the Eucharist?
Like any rule or discipline of the Church, if we are approaching it in terms of “what can i get away with” or “what do I have to do to get what I want but make sure I’m not sinning” (I’m not saying this is where you’re coming from) instead of “here I am God, I want to be with you, show me how” it will always seem arid and legalistic instead of liberating and lifegiving.
Hope that helps in some way.
Kendy
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ElizabethPH
Guest
offer it up it is such a small sacrifice. The fast before Communion used to be 3 hours. Count your blessings. You can have your cheese omelet any other day of the week. Or for dinner.Kendy
- I prefer to have breakfast as late as possible so that I am not ready for lunch in the middle of the morning. Morning prayer and mass already add to that process so that by 11:30 a.m. I a.m. starving. I don’t want to eat any earlier.
- Yes, I am annoyed by all the rules.
- I have no idea why the rule exists, but I suspect there is some joy-sucking motivation behind it.
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Jennifer123
Guest
The Church doesn’t make “rules” just for the sake of making rules or to take the joy out of our spiritual lives. I don’t think you believe that literallyKendy
- I prefer to have breakfast as late as possible so that I am not ready for lunch in the middle of the morning. Morning prayer and mass already add to that process so that by 11:30 a.m. I a.m. starving. I don’t want to eat any earlier.
- Yes, I am annoyed by all the rules.
- I have no idea why the rule exists, but I suspect there is some joy-sucking motivation behind it.
but I do detect some resentment there. I’ve been there and felt that, but I found that as I began to try to understand why the “rules” exist it started to make more sense.“To whom much is given, much will be expected”. As Catholics, we’ve been given the greatest gift, the fullness of Truth. Yes, it sometimes isn’t “easy” to be Catholic, with the ban on contraception, no sex before marriage, confessing your sins, fasting during Lent and before Mass, no women priests, there may be many reasons why being a Catholic can be difficult at times. But as a Catholic, you have to believe that Jesus instituted a Church on Earth that could accurately interpret His teachings so that “We may all be one”. If you believe that, then even without fully understanding why the “rule” exists, you can rest assured that there can be found real, true wisdom in what the Church teaches.
In my experience, there is no greater freedom than when I am under His yoke, than when I am “restricted” by His “rules”. Anything else leaves me a slave to my fallen human nature, and from my experience, contrary to what the “world” wants me to believe, there is no freedom in having no self-control.
You’ve probably heard this all before, and if so, I’m sorry to be preachy. I’m only speaking from experience from knowing how you’ve felt. We’re all in this together, failing and succeeding together, working this out with “fear and trembling” but the journey never ends.
FWIW - here’s some info on the fast “rule”:
catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0221.html
"The most important point regarding this question concerns why we ought to fast. St. Paul reminds us, “Continually we carry about in our bodies the dying of Jesus, so that in our bodies the life of Jesus may be revealed” (2 Cor 4:10). We too are charged to convert our whole lives—body and soul—to the Lord. This conversion process involves doing penance — including bodily mortification like fasting—for our sins and weaknesses, which in turn strengthens and heals us. Pope Paul VI exhorted the faithful in his apostolic constitution “Paenitemini” (1966), “Mortification aims at the liberation of man, who often finds himself, because of concupiscence, almost chained by his own senses. Through ‘corporal fasting’ man regains strength, and the wound inflicted on the dignity of our nature by intemperance is cured by the medicine of a salutary abstinence.”
Moreover, the fast before receiving Holy Communion creates a physical hunger and thirst for the Lord, which in turn augments the spiritual hunger and thirst we ought to have. In the Old Testament, fasting prepared individuals to receive the action of God and to be placed in His presence. For instance, Moses (Ex 34:28) fasted 40 days atop Mount Sinai as he received the Ten Commandments. Elijah (I Kings 19:8) fasted 40 days as he walked to Mount Horeb to encounter God. Similarly, Jesus Himself fasted 40 days as he prepared to begin His public ministry (Mt 4:1ff) and encouraged fasting (Mt 6:16-18).
Likewise, this corporal work enhances the spiritual disposition we need to receive Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. In a sense, we fast so as not “to spoil our appetite” but to increase it for the sharing of the Paschal banquet. Jesus said in the Beatitudes, “Blest are they who hunger and thirst for holiness; they shall have their fill” (Mt 5:6). In all, fasting is an exercise of humility, hope and love — essential virtues in preparing ourselves to receive the Holy Eucharist.
This regulation, however, does not mean we have to be scrupulous and count off seconds. "
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thistle
Guest
Don’t you ever read the Catechism of the Catholic Church?Okay. Need to go to bed so I can wake up earlier. Or maybe I will blow off all religious activites and sleep in an extra hour, and make myself a cheddar cheese omelette. Yum.
Kendy
Doesn’t sound like you want to show much respect when receiving the Eucharist.
CCC 1387 To prepare for worthy reception of this sacrament, the faithful should observe the fast required in their Church. Bodily demeanor (gestures, clothing) ought to convey the respect, solemnity, and joy of this moment when Christ becomes our guest.
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Kendy
Guest
ThanksThe Church doesn’t make “rules” just for the sake of making rules or to take the joy out of our spiritual lives. I don’t think you believe that literally
“To whom much is given, much will be expected”. As Catholics, we’ve been given the greatest gift, the fullness of Truth. Yes, it sometimes isn’t “easy” to be Catholic, with the ban on contraception, no sex before marriage, confessing your sins, fasting during Lent and before Mass, no women priests, there may be many reasons why being a Catholic can be difficult at times. But as a Catholic, you have to believe that Jesus instituted a Church on Earth that could accurately interpret His teachings so that “We may all be one”. If you believe that, then even without fully understanding why the “rule” exists, you can rest assured that there can be found real, true wisdom in what the Church teaches.
In my experience, there is no greater freedom than when I am under His yoke, than when I am “restricted” by His “rules”. Anything else leaves me a slave to my fallen human nature, and from my experience, contrary to what the “world” wants me to believe, there is no freedom in having no self-control.
You’ve probably heard this all before, and if so, I’m sorry to be preachy. I’m only speaking from experience from knowing how you’ve felt. We’re all in this together, failing and succeeding together, working this out with “fear and trembling” but the journey never ends.
FWIW - here’s some info on the fast “rule”:
catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0221.html
"The most important point regarding this question concerns why we ought to fast. St. Paul reminds us, “Continually we carry about in our bodies the dying of Jesus, so that in our bodies the life of Jesus may be revealed” (2 Cor 4:10). We too are charged to convert our whole lives—body and soul—to the Lord. This conversion process involves doing penance — including bodily mortification like fasting—for our sins and weaknesses, which in turn strengthens and heals us. Pope Paul VI exhorted the faithful in his apostolic constitution “Paenitemini” (1966), “Mortification aims at the liberation of man, who often finds himself, because of concupiscence, almost chained by his own senses. Through ‘corporal fasting’ man regains strength, and the wound inflicted on the dignity of our nature by intemperance is cured by the medicine of a salutary abstinence.”
Moreover, the fast before receiving Holy Communion creates a physical hunger and thirst for the Lord, which in turn augments the spiritual hunger and thirst we ought to have. In the Old Testament, fasting prepared individuals to receive the action of God and to be placed in His presence. For instance, Moses (Ex 34:28) fasted 40 days atop Mount Sinai as he received the Ten Commandments. Elijah (I Kings 19:8) fasted 40 days as he walked to Mount Horeb to encounter God. Similarly, Jesus Himself fasted 40 days as he prepared to begin His public ministry (Mt 4:1ff) and encouraged fasting (Mt 6:16-18).
Likewise, this corporal work enhances the spiritual disposition we need to receive Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. In a sense, we fast so as not “to spoil our appetite” but to increase it for the sharing of the Paschal banquet. Jesus said in the Beatitudes, “Blest are they who hunger and thirst for holiness; they shall have their fill” (Mt 5:6). In all, fasting is an exercise of humility, hope and love — essential virtues in preparing ourselves to receive the Holy Eucharist.
This regulation, however, does not mean we have to be scrupulous and count off seconds. "
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Kendy
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Balance
Guest
Well said Jennifer, thanks.The Church doesn’t make “rules” just for the sake of making rules or to take the joy out of our spiritual lives. I don’t think you believe that literally
“To whom much is given, much will be expected”. As Catholics, we’ve been given the greatest gift, the fullness of Truth. Yes, it sometimes isn’t “easy” to be Catholic, with the ban on contraception, no sex before marriage, confessing your sins, fasting during Lent and before Mass, no women priests, there may be many reasons why being a Catholic can be difficult at times. But as a Catholic, you have to believe that Jesus instituted a Church on Earth that could accurately interpret His teachings so that “We may all be one”. If you believe that, then even without fully understanding why the “rule” exists, you can rest assured that there can be found real, true wisdom in what the Church teaches.
In my experience, there is no greater freedom than when I am under His yoke, than when I am “restricted” by His “rules”. Anything else leaves me a slave to my fallen human nature, and from my experience, contrary to what the “world” wants me to believe, there is no freedom in having no self-control.
You’ve probably heard this all before, and if so, I’m sorry to be preachy. I’m only speaking from experience from knowing how you’ve felt. We’re all in this together, failing and succeeding together, working this out with “fear and trembling” but the journey never ends.
FWIW - here’s some info on the fast “rule”:
catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0221.html
"The most important point regarding this question concerns why we ought to fast. St. Paul reminds us, “Continually we carry about in our bodies the dying of Jesus, so that in our bodies the life of Jesus may be revealed” (2 Cor 4:10). We too are charged to convert our whole lives—body and soul—to the Lord. This conversion process involves doing penance — including bodily mortification like fasting—for our sins and weaknesses, which in turn strengthens and heals us. Pope Paul VI exhorted the faithful in his apostolic constitution “Paenitemini” (1966), “Mortification aims at the liberation of man, who often finds himself, because of concupiscence, almost chained by his own senses. Through ‘corporal fasting’ man regains strength, and the wound inflicted on the dignity of our nature by intemperance is cured by the medicine of a salutary abstinence.”
Moreover, the fast before receiving Holy Communion creates a physical hunger and thirst for the Lord, which in turn augments the spiritual hunger and thirst we ought to have. In the Old Testament, fasting prepared individuals to receive the action of God and to be placed in His presence. For instance, Moses (Ex 34:28) fasted 40 days atop Mount Sinai as he received the Ten Commandments. Elijah (I Kings 19:8) fasted 40 days as he walked to Mount Horeb to encounter God. Similarly, Jesus Himself fasted 40 days as he prepared to begin His public ministry (Mt 4:1ff) and encouraged fasting (Mt 6:16-18).
Likewise, this corporal work enhances the spiritual disposition we need to receive Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. In a sense, we fast so as not “to spoil our appetite” but to increase it for the sharing of the Paschal banquet. Jesus said in the Beatitudes, “Blest are they who hunger and thirst for holiness; they shall have their fill” (Mt 5:6). In all, fasting is an exercise of humility, hope and love — essential virtues in preparing ourselves to receive the Holy Eucharist.
This regulation, however, does not mean we have to be scrupulous and count off seconds. "
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Balance
Guest
Can I make a gentle comment and say that posts like these aren’t the most helpful. When people come to this site with a query they don’t want to told “don’t you read your catechism?” or “just offer it up” or to have things quoted at them, or to be told simply “this is a sin, that’s not.” !!
They’re after some explanation and explication of Church teaching, and I’d think they have a reasonable expectation that people here - especially “senior members” - would give such an explanation with sensitivity and wisdom.
Fair enough?
They’re after some explanation and explication of Church teaching, and I’d think they have a reasonable expectation that people here - especially “senior members” - would give such an explanation with sensitivity and wisdom.
Maybe a small sacrifice to you - but you have **no idea **of what sort of sacrifice it might be for Kendy.
References should always be given for quotes too!
As Kendy said, “sinful how?” which shows that this post was hardly helpful. Drawing lines like “this is sin because you ate ten minutes later than you should have” is rarely helpful.
And in this post you’re showing respect to the Eucharist present in Kendy, who is part of the Body of Christ, how exactly?
Fair enough?
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ElizabethPH
Guest
I apologize; thanks for enlightening me. As for the quote…I think it’s from ewtn…I pulled it out of my own collection of quotes. Sorry I wasn’t any help. If figures. If I can say, if someone has the desire to attend Mass on a daily basis which is very commendable (sp?), so I’m sure there is a solution. To pack your breakfast seemed to me a good one. But as I read more I see that there is an obstacle there as well. Certainly if there is a medical issue, that would be a solution. Problem solved.
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Balance
Guest
Apology accepted.
Yep, Kendy, your medical condition would probably be grounds for a dispensation - talk to your priest about it. But, as I’ve been saying, the point is not the actual fast, it’s that you’re taking the time to prepare for Mass - so hopefully you can find the time and space to do that. I’m sure you can.
ElizabethPH said the fast used to be three hours - I think it was even more than that. I think the practice used to be to fast from the night before!
Yep, Kendy, your medical condition would probably be grounds for a dispensation - talk to your priest about it. But, as I’ve been saying, the point is not the actual fast, it’s that you’re taking the time to prepare for Mass - so hopefully you can find the time and space to do that. I’m sure you can.
ElizabethPH said the fast used to be three hours - I think it was even more than that. I think the practice used to be to fast from the night before!
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LilyM
Guest
Indeedly doodly - up until the 1950s the fast was from MIDNIGHT the night before Mass.
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Sir_Knight
Guest
You are receiving graces for the masses that you attend but by receiving unworthily, not only are you undoing those graces but you are “passing judgement upon yourself”.Okay. Need to go to bed so I can wake up earlier. Or maybe I will blow off all religious activites and sleep in an extra hour, and make myself a cheddar cheese omelette. Yum.
- Not going to daily mass is a neutral +/- ]
- Going to daily mass is good + ].
- Going to mass and receiving communon is better ++ ].
- Going to mass and receiving unworthily is bad - (maybe even) – ].
Better to go to mass and not receive than receive unworthily.
PS: And you MIGHT be able to receive worthily by getting a dispensation.
A
asquared
Guest
there is nothing whatever wrong with eating before Mass as long as you eat early enough that one hour will have passed before you receive communion. I eat first (because I am diabetic) then shower and dress, before I leave for Mass, and that works out fine. I have to have a mid-morning snack anyhow to control blood sugar. I keep cheese cubes, protein bars, and hard boiled eggs at work for that purpose. When I am travelling I carry lunch and snack in a small insulated lunch bag. I amnot really understanding your problem. Who made the rule that you cannot have a snack before lunch? Can’t blame that one on the Church.
In any case, especially since I work all Sunday morning in the parish, my pastor has dispensed me from the fast if I have to eat to regulate blood sugar. If you have a similar health concern simply ask your priest about it. Even when the fasting rules were stricter for communion, Lent etc. no one with a health problem, including pregnant women, diabetics and others, was required to fast.
the rules are not joy-sucking, they are joy giving when they are done in the spirit of loving obedience. those of us who have health concerns that demand we regulate our diet strictly are already fasting, which is giving up foods we would like to eat, or eating things we would rather not, for a higher good (health). If we offer up the very minor suffering that entails with the intention of uniting ourselves to the suffering of Christ, there is both merit and joy in the act.
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