Fasting

[CMatt25]

So just wondering what you guys (and ladies) think about this. I went 23 hrs without any solid food whatsoever. In that timespan I consumed some water and a cup of juice. This was from 9 pm Tues till 8 pm Ash Wed. I know Ash Wed was from midnight to midnight. But then at 8 pm Ash Wed, 23 hrs after I had last eaten (There are only 24 hrs in a day) I had a fish sandwich, salad, and 9 oz bag of potato chips for my meal along with 24 oz of diet soda. The diet soda to save some calories vs the chips. So how did that fit into the fast? Passed of failed? Just curious.

 

[MarcoPolo]

If I understand it right, it’s a pass no matter how you slice it. The Ash Wednesday fast allows for 1 full meal plus 2 that do not add up to the size of the full. It sounds like you only had 1 full. So you’re good. It’s actually identical to what I did Ash Wednesday so I hope it’s a pass.

 

[HisLamb]

You did not violate the rules of the fast (at least the rules in the US, I don’t know about other parts of the world). You are permitted two “snacks” and one full meal for the day. Since you only had one full meal, you are fine.

 

[CMatt25]

Thanks. I was mainly wondering about that rather large bag of chips. But when I go 23 hrs without eating then I tend to want to overeat when I do eat. The salad was not huge though just a small salad. And I thought it was 1 full meal PLUS 2 small. But then someone on the forum had told me they thought it was 1 full OR 2 small not exceeding 1 full.

 

[PattiDay]

Good for you. It’s two days into Lent and I’m very aware of the box of DOTS in the pantry, the ice cream in the freezer, and the wintergreen life savers (probably over a year old) in the console of the car.

 

[CMatt25]

Good for you. It’s two days into Lent and I’m very aware of the box of DOTS in the pantry, the ice cream in the freezer, and the wintergreen life savers (probably over a year old) in the console of the car.

Patti, doesn’t it seem Lent makes one more aware of those things. .

 

[david_friol_1]

So just wondering what you guys (and ladies) think about this. I went 23 hrs without any solid food whatsoever. In that timespan I consumed some water and a cup of juice. This was from 9 pm Tues till 8 pm Ash Wed. I know Ash Wed was from midnight to midnight. But then at 8 pm Ash Wed, 23 hrs after I had last eaten (There are only 24 hrs in a day) I had a fish sandwich, salad, and 9 oz bag of potato chips for my meal along with 24 oz of diet soda. The diet soda to save some calories vs the chips. So how did that fit into the fast? Passed of failed? Just curious.

Fasting is not really a pass or fail kind of thing. It is what you want to sacrifice for love of God. Not to count calories, lose weight, or show all those around you what a good fast you have kept. I found this Lenten Meditation helpful:

What kind of a program should you follow during Lent? More quiet, more self-discipline, more thinking, more praying. You will need to tailor your lenten program according to whatever now is your main fault.
For Americans overweight because of lack of self-control? For them Lent should be a time of strict discipline in diet, of controling quantity and quality of food. For those drinking too much beer, whiskey, wine? For them Lent is the time to give it up totally or learn to drink in moderation. And the many Americans who don’t know how to pray? Lent for them should feature many minutes each day at least trying to praise God, and especially in church. Those whose daily intellectual life is on the TV-radio level? Lent for them should have reading- reading of challenging, spiritual books- especially the Bible.
The excessive smoker? The user of unnecessary tranquilizers? The person relying excessively on pills to sleep? For all these Lent should bring a withdrawal from the addiction.
The person who cannot get to bed on time should discipline self to a sensible sleeping schedule. Those who cannot relax, who cannot stay in or alone, should use Lent to learn simplicity and calmness in living. The slovenly who cannot work well or keep their rooms clean should during Lent learn exactness and neatness.