The Lenten Fast

[Brooklyn]

That is an absurd justification, I hope you realize. Orthodox and Eastern Catholic children grow up in the same society as Latins and yet can adhere to a much stricter fast. One doesn’t just jump into fasting, but they have to be eased into it. If you start fasting over a period of 10 years and you’re generally in good health it should be no challenge other than subjecting one’s own volition.

As for the baby in a marathon analogy, that’s a false analogy. It is completely possible with devotion and patience to enter into a full fast. It is not physically impossible for someone from the West to fast properly, but it is impossible for a baby to run a marathon because it’s simply an absurd expectation. I know plenty anecdotal situations in which converts or Catholics who become genuinely interested in the East are able to enter into fasting.

To divorce fasting from one’s prayer life creates a serious deficiency. And what most Latins do is because they’re not obliged to fast they take it they don’t need to fast, as though our prayer lives can only be as deep as a Church requires.

That is just patently untrue. Ask any well-versed priest and they’ll tell you you can disagree with the prudence of decisions. I said nothing about being disobedient, and external obedience has nothing to do with agreement.

You and I seem to talk to very different priests. This is going nowhere and you seem to be getting a little hot under the collar, so we will just agree to disagree.

I respect the Church and the decisions she makes and when I don’t understand them, I pray about it. I don’t just make a unilateral decision that they are wrong.

Have a good day.

 

[Brooklyn]

Yes, I will observe the full 40 day lenten fast. I find the fast to reap overwhelming amounts of spiritual benefits. I have a very small breakfast (glass of water, piece of fruit), a normal lunch (simple sandwich, small bag of chips, water bottle), and for dinner I eat a regular meal, though much smaller portions. I completely abstain from pop, fast food, and snacks in between meals.

That is basically my plan this year as well. Good to know I’m not doing it alone, makes it easier to stick to it. Thanks.

 

[MorEphrem]

You and I seem to talk to very different priests. This is going nowhere and you seem to be getting a little hot under the collar, so we will just agree to disagree.

I respect the Church and the decisions she makes and when I don’t understand them, I pray about it. I don’t just make a unilateral decision that they are wrong.

Have a good day.

Again, you’ve misconstrued what I said. But I suppose “not going anywhere” is me not conceding immediately. I’m not “hot under the collar,” but I don’t think it’s convenient that you did not rebut my observations.

 

[Brooklyn]

Again, you’ve misconstrued what I said. But I suppose “not going anywhere” is me not conceding immediately. I’m not “hot under the collar,” but I don’t think it’s convenient that you did not rebut my observations.

My only rebuttal is that I give first place to the judgments of the Church, not to my judgments. I have been wrong in most things most of my life. So even though something the Church does may seem wrong to me, I just go with the Church. You don’t. You feel it is right to question and judge what the Church says. That is where we differ. Therefore, I don’t feel that there is any more benefit to discussing this. We are coming from different points of view and never the twain shall meet.

 

[UpUpAndAway]

I, too, am embarking upon the 40-day fast. I did it last year and reaped many spiritual benefits. The only problem is deciding which meal will be the main one. While I would hardly call my responsibilities physically demanding, I am very active during the day and my days are long (12-16 hours) so it makes the most sense for me to have a heavier lunch and light dinner. The Husband, however, is nowhere near as active as I am but he wants dinner to be the main meal of the day because it’s what he’s used to. Decisions, decisions.

Praying for all of you during Lent