Opinions on fasting and abstinence

[Andruschak]

Why do you suppose that St. Francis’s Rule of 1221 has a fasting/abstinence dimension?

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When it comes to penance and mortification, fasting and abstinence have always been the simplest form, which anyone can do (observing obvious health limits, of course). If the whole idea of the Rule of 1221 is to keep our minds on God as much as possible in our daily life (opinion), this is certainly the way to do it.

We have to eat to live, but we are NOT supposed to live to eat. Gluttony is one of the Seven Deadly Sins, and probably the one most swept under the carpet.One needs only look at the average overweight American to see that our society has problems.

I’d hate to hear what St. Francis would say today about all those fast food chains littering the landscape, and never mind the huge amount of food thrown away.

By asking us to stick to prescribed meals, abstaining 4 times a week, and fasting far more often then requested of the modern day Catholic; Francis ensures we will think about the Rule, hence about God, many times during the day, even if it is only to resist the twitch from the smell of a fast food chain, or a co-workers meal. We are reminded WHY we fast and abstain.

None of these opinions have been endorsed by my cats, who would get very angry at me if I tried a fasting program on them. I treasure an unpunctured skin.

I am already doing the required fasting and abstinence. No big deal. True, I am age 63, and not BOUND to fast. But there are good spiritual reasons for doing so.

And I wish to remind everyone who might be concerned that I have talked this over with my Physician, she has set guidelines and standards, and I am observing them.

Actually, on my current work schedule, things work out nicely. I get up 10 AM - 11 AM. I leave for work at 2 PM. Before that I have a substantial, nourishing dinner. When I get home from work at midnight, I have a light supper. I go to bed 2AM - 3 AM.

On my days off, when I do little in the way of physical work, I often just have dinner about 5 PM, and a light snack before bedtime.

“Breakfast” is always a quart of non-fat milk. The protein and carbohydrates get my body working, and this is an easy way to get in my daily calcium. As I have mentioned before, I am at elevated risk for osteoporosis.

 

[Hlafdige]

Frederica Mathewes-Green (she’s Eastern Orthodox) makes some wise points about how gluttony and pride reinforce each other:
christianitytoday.com/ct/2000/augustweb-only/23.0c.html

Also, there’s nothing like indulgent eating (sometimes ANY eating) to smooth over the emotional and sensory rough spots in a normal day. Fasting confronts us with aspects of reality which we otherwise manage to drown out with (even legitimate) pleasant sensory (name removed by moderator)ut.

Fasting is warfare with the self, with one’s own “conventional wisdom”. Sometimes we need, as sort of a basso continuo to daily life, an undercurrent of effort reminding us that we’re not home free yet, that there’s still work to be done.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

We have to eat to live, but we are NOT supposed to live to eat.

I think God excuses us French from this.

Jim

 

[Andruschak]

Fasting is warfare with the self, with one’s own “conventional wisdom”. Sometimes we need, as sort of a basso continuo to daily life, an undercurrent of effort reminding us that we’re not home free yet, that there’s still work to be done.

WOW! That’s a great way to put it.

 

[puzzleannie]

I don’t need to come up with a plan for fast and abstinence, diabetic diet to control my blood sugar does it for me, and violating the diet has immediate ill effects I can feel, in addition to the long term harm of which I am not aware, but take on faith from science and medicine.

 

[sacredcello]

The Blessed Mother, in her visits to Medjugorje, continues to remind all of the faithful to fast for many different intentions including world peace and God’s mercy and for more conversions.

Spiritual warfare is hard work.

I stopped the bread and water fasting because it was hurting my stomach (I am allergic to wheat, and even the non-wheat breads were irritating my stomach lining). But, I have had some success with 40-day juice fasts. I include protein powder in my juice, to give me the endurance to continue working.

These periods keep me focused on the Lord. I would recommend fasting to anyone who wants a much deeper prayer and spiritual life.

 

[LilyM]

The Blessed Mother, in her visits to Medjugorje, continues to remind all of the faithful to fast for many different intentions including world peace and God’s mercy and for more conversions.

Spiritual warfare is hard work.

I stopped the bread and water fasting because it was hurting my stomach (I am allergic to wheat, and even the non-wheat breads were irritating my stomach lining). But, I have had some success with 40-day juice fasts. I include protein powder in my juice, to give me the endurance to continue working.

These periods keep me focused on the Lord. I would recommend fasting to anyone who wants a much deeper prayer and spiritual life.

40-day juice fast? You MUST make sure to consult with both your spiritual director and your doctor before even contemplating doing something so drastic. It can be dangerous, both physically and spiritually (it can become a huge source either of spiritual pride, or lead to a distorted view of your body, among other things).

 

[thistle]

**The Blessed Mother, in her visits to Medjugorje, continues to remind all of the faithful to fast for many different intentions including world peace and God’s mercy and for more conversions. **

Spiritual warfare is hard work.

I stopped the bread and water fasting because it was hurting my stomach (I am allergic to wheat, and even the non-wheat breads were irritating my stomach lining). But, I have had some success with 40-day juice fasts. I include protein powder in my juice, to give me the endurance to continue working.

These periods keep me focused on the Lord. I would recommend fasting to anyone who wants a much deeper prayer and spiritual life.

Naughty naughty! Banned topic especially as Medjugorie is NOT approved.

 

[sacredcello]

Naughty naughty! Banned topic especially as Medjugorie is NOT approved.

Really? Are you serious?

My parish is taking a pilgrimage to Medjugorje very soon. It was a place of conversion for our pastor who received his vocation there. John Paul II was also very supportive of people making pilgrimages there.

I didn’t know it was banned. Sorry!

 

[sacredcello]

40-day juice fast? You MUST make sure to consult with both your spiritual director and your doctor before even contemplating doing something so drastic. It can be dangerous, both physically and spiritually (it can become a huge source either of spiritual pride, or lead to a distorted view of your body, among other things).

I don’t have a spiritual director, but I pray, attend Mass regularly, pray the rosary, do one hour of Eucharistic Adoration per week, etc.

If the evidence of spiritual pride is that one even mentions having done a fast, then, I suppose I am guilty for having mentioned it here. I have done at least three 40-day juice fasts (maybe more, I can’t remember), usually during Lent, but not always. The physical side-effect is that I usually lose about 4 pounds. I’m not over or underweight and don’t have body image problems. Nor do I have any medical issues for which medication is required. I don’t have a doctor, as I am a self-employed musician. I go to the clinic if I am every sick (very rarely). I eat right and exercise. Most doctors know very little about nutrition and very much about pharmaceuticals – I’m not a big fan of them. But, they do good and necessary work in emergency rooms, for example.

Jesus said that some demons go out only by prayer and fasting. I understand this to mean spiritual warfare.

 

[wcknight]

Really? Are you serious?

My parish is taking a pilgrimage to Medjugorje very soon. It was a place of conversion for our pastor who received his vocation there. John Paul II was also very supportive of people making pilgrimages there.

I didn’t know it was banned. Sorry!

It’s banned because it is not officially approved by the Church as yet, not because folks on this forum do not believe it to be true.

 

[sacredcello]

Just curious, but why would a topic that is of interest to millions of Catholics and non-Catholics be banned? The only reason the Medjugorje visitations have not been approved yet is because the Blessed Mother continues to appear there. For an approval from the Vatican, the visitations would need to cease.

I thought there might be a reason that is already summed up somewhere on this forum.

 

[LilyM]

Just curious, but why would a topic that is of interest to millions of Catholics and non-Catholics be banned? The only reason the Medjugorje visitations have not been approved yet is because the Blessed Mother continues to appear there. For an approval from the Vatican, the visitations would need to cease.

I thought there might be a reason that is already summed up somewhere on this forum.

Some talk of Medj is allowed, but the moderators tread a fine line with it and are pretty strict about what can be said. Go to the home page and look up ‘Forum Rules’ which should give you the guidelines.

And there’s good reasons for it. For one Medj causes huge arguments whenever it appears as a topic. For two pretty much ALL talk of ALL unapproved revelations is banned, since if we let talk of Medj or Garabandal in then we have to let EVERY single person out there who thinks God or Our Lady speaks to them personally spout off about their ‘visions’ and ‘revelations’. To the great spiritual hurt of visitors to this forum.

You seem to take it for granted that Medj would be approved if the visions ceased. There’s most certainly no guarantee on the matter. In fact the latest rumblings are that the Vatican may DISapprove soon, in spite of the fact that the apparitions are still ongoing (which they are permitted to do if there is sufficient evidence already that they are not of supernatural origin).

You can see the thread on the topic here - forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=246250&page=3&highlight=Medjugorje

 

[Tominellay]

…in her visits to Medjugorje, continues to remind all of the faithful to fast for many different intentions including world peace…

…including whirled peas…

 

[sacredcello]

pretty much ALL talk of ALL unapproved revelations is banned, since if we let talk of Medj or Garabandal in then we have to let EVERY single person out there

I can understand the reasons for limiting discussion in this forum. Speculation on expected Vatican pronouncements is dangerous, too, and can cause great spiritual harm.

 

[thistle]

I can understand the reasons for limiting discussion in this forum. Speculation on expected Vatican pronouncements is dangerous, too, and can cause great spiritual harm.

Actually its not speculation on what the CDF will say that makes this a banned subject. Three local Bishops Commissions have already investigated and declared there is no evidence of any supernatural happening there and have declared the visionaries as fakes. The local franciscan priests perpetuating the “visions” have had their faculties suspended and they cannot say Mass or hear Confessions.
One test anyone can judge by is if a vision or whatever unites or divides the Church. This one has divided the faithful so who gains from that. Certainly not God.
Although this is a banned topic there are a few closed threads which you can search and read the debates on it.

 

[puzzleannie]

I don’t suppose there is any chance of getting back on topic. another potentially worthwhile thread ruined. these forums are just no fun any more

 

[BennyBoy89]

I don’t suppose there is any chance of getting back on topic. another potentially worthwhile thread ruined. these forums are just no fun any more

For whatever reason, I struggle with fasting, even though I’m not a big eater and never have been (much to the concern of both of my grandmothers). I do eat here and there throughout the day. That’s my struggle, not so much in limiting the number and size of meals, but in not habitually snacking between them. For me, fasting isn’t just dealing with hunger pains, but in altering my entire daily routine for God. I think that’s a double whammy…

 

[LilyM]

For whatever reason, I struggle with fasting, even though I’m not a big eater and never have been (much to the concern of both of my grandmothers). I do eat here and there throughout the day. That’s my struggle, not so much in limiting the number and size of meals, but in not habitually snacking between them. For me, fasting isn’t just dealing with hunger pains, but in altering my entire daily routine for God. I think that’s a double whammy…

Well, we only have to fast from food 2 days a year. If you don’t eat a lot anyway, it might be worthwhile fasting from something else that you enjoy - sports, tv, CAF, soda.

 

[sacredcello]

I don’t suppose there is any chance of getting back on topic. another potentially worthwhile thread ruined. these forums are just no fun any more

Yes, back to the subject. We were sidetracked by someone pointing out that my reason for fasting is naughty (or at least the mere mention of my reason in this forum).

I recently learned that the Poor Clares observe a perpetual fast throughout their lives, meaning they have one regular meal and two sparser meals. I wonder how many souls have been saved by these wonderful sisters who are quietly hidden away from the world.