Fasting

[DanteAlighieri]

Hi, gang…

I understand that fasting is helpful in the struggle for purity, as well as a good penetential practice. I have no doubt this is true, so that’s not what I’d like to discuss.

What troubles me is the, er, mechanics of it. Some questions that leap to mind:

1. How best to do it?

I’ve read a couple of articles and threads, and I can’t seem to find a definitive “Fasting for Dummies”. Some seem to think fasting on bread and water is the best way; others seem to think one meal (around noonish) with two servings of “some food” that don’t together equal a meal. Which is it? Are both valid? If I go the bread and water route, how much bread is ideal?

1. How does it fit in with my obligations?

Say, for instance, that I decide to fast on Fridays, since we’re supposed to take on Friday pennance if we’re not abstaining from meat (in the US). Does my fast then account merely for that obligation, or does it also help my battle for purity? Should I fast in addition to Friday pennance if I need help with purity?

1. How does it fit in with making sacrifices for others?

If I want to offer up a fast for someone else’s sake, should I do this seperately from my Friday pennance and my purity fast?

I’m having trouble summing this all up in one question, so I appreciate your patience and the effort you might take in answering all of this.

Peace,
Dante

 

[Andruschak]

Hi, gang…

I understand that fasting is helpful in the struggle for purity, as well as a good penetential practice. I have no doubt this is true, so that’s not what I’d like to discuss.

What troubles me is the, er, mechanics of it. Some questions that leap to mind:

From a 1221 pennitent on a more or last permanent fast, here are some OPINIONS.

Do you have a spiritual director? If not consult some other religious.

You did not mention your age. Doesn’t matter. (I’m 63) See your physician for a checkup on your general health and ask for advive on fasting.

Consider keeping it simple, and just do what the church suggests. One main meal a day, and two smaller meals that do not add up in size to the main meal. No food inbetween. Milk, juices, coffee, tea and other liquids OK between meals.

Every friday, ONLY, would be a good start, and yes you can combine abstinance with fasting.

Try this for six months and see how you feel physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Probably a lot better would be my guess, based on my own personal experience.

But, again, as we say in AA…EASY DOES IT.

 

[Andruschak]

Leftover comments:

Bread and water fasting, juice fasting, and anything else should be cleared with a spiritual director AND your physician. Until then, stick to the Church guidelines of one main meal and two smaller meals.

Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, and not to be damaged. It is OK to feel hungry whilst fasting. Fasting 6 days a week, I feel hungry a lot of times. You soon get used to it.

But weakness, drowsiness, debilitation, disorientation, and any other sign of not being fully functional is a no-no. One should be mentally alert at all times, with no physical impairment.

Being malnourished is another no-no. Frequent checkups with your Physician would be a good idea.

EASY DOES IT.

None of my opinions in these two postings have been approved by my cats.

 

[DanteAlighieri]

Thanks for your response(s). I appreciate the insight.

Anyone else care to weigh in? I’m all ears…so to speak.

Honestly – I can’t seem to get more than one or two people to respond to my questions. Does everyone have me on ignore or something?

Peace,
Dante

 

[4loveofJesus]

May God’s peace, love and mercy be with you and to all!

Fasting/ abstinence can be done in so many ways depending on how the Holy Spirit moves you. You can do bread and water only. You eat bread up to the point of being full. You can abstain from meat, from sweets, soda etc. You can choose to eat 2 meals only, have 3 meals and not snack in between meals or 1 meal with 2 small meals. What is important is that you do not ruin your health and it does not affect your duties in the state of life that God has called you to. Prudence in this matter is so important. Ask the advice of a good and holy priest during confession or if you have a spiritual director consult him on this matter.

We can also fast from watching television, sports, listening to the radio/ music etc. and have a quiet time for about 30 min. to an hour a day and instead spend that time with Our Good Lord Jesus and adore Him in your heart.

We can also abstain from complaining, being impatient, making bad /negative comments, telling impure jokes, watching impure and violent movies, saying bad about somebody, saying profanity, bad company etc.

You can do these once or twice a week or even everyday all year round if you wanted to. You can just do one or combine any of them at any time. It is always a good thing to mortify our own will and self love.

All these together with the frequent reception of the Sacraments of Confession and Holy Eucharist are very important not only in helping us improve our virtues but it also helps clean our soul from the stains of sin, and by receiving Jesus, Our God, in holy communion, He infuses our soul with all the graces beyond human comprehension.

We can on a daily basis offer, surrender, consecrate ALL to Jesus through Mary in union with His suffering on the Cross. All that we are, all that we have, all that we do, all that we gain, our entire being without reserve including our heart, our will, our soul, our misery, our holy communion. We can make this offering in behalf and for the whole humanity until the end of time and for the Poor Souls in Purgatory, as a pardon, reparation, for the sanctification of all and for the healing of the sins for all time.

When we do this then your offering becomes infinite in value for it is united with Jesus Christ, Our God. Everything then becomes an unceasing act of prayer, offering, that is pleasing to God. It not only affects us but affects all from the past, present, future and for all eternity. Now that is awesome!

God bless!

Blessed be Jesus and Mary!