What are you giving up for Lent this year?

[ConstantLearner]

I’ve always loved brussels sprouts. They’re itty bitty cabbages. And I love cabbage. It always surprises me when people turn up their noses at brussels sprouts and broccoli. Maybe I’m in the minority. But I’ve never needed either one doctored up to eat.

I love the cruciferous vegetables, too, Lily, especially cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. But, spinach is one of my favorites, along with kale, that I eat almost every day. Not giving those up!

 

[lilypadrees]

I can eat spinach raw with no problem. But cooked, it makes me physically ill.

 

[ConstantLearner]

I can eat spinach raw with no problem. But cooked, it makes me physically ill.

I actually prefer it cooked, but almost always have it raw. Kale is kind of tough raw, but I like the taste. I also love the green juices.

 

[tad]

I gave up protestants. I’m really happy.

 

[rcwitness]

rcwitness:

Btw, the Church condemned flagellation. I know you were being sarcastic, but it was hardly meaningful.

But hey!!! You got some likes!!!

I don’t want to leave a sour note between us.

I don’t think you had any bad intentions in this thread. I do think the point you were trying to make was at the wrong place, at the wrong time, and in an inappropriate setting .That is only my opinion.

I am sorry if I offended. I should not have used humor in a way that came at your expense.

Peace to you too!

 

[guanophore]

Whether you are a private person or not, my point has been that what we fast shoul not be exploited.

I think you lost me here. How can sharing a fast be “exploited”?

But, like you say, the whole “What are you giving up for Lent” chat, rubs wrong.

Is it the language? Would “what fasting disciplines do you practice during Lent” sound better and not “rub wrong”?

I do believe there is a tendency for us, myself included, to take pride in our fasting. I think that notion is not condusive to holy fasting.

I agree, but Lent is also a time for a public fast, meaning that the whole Church does it together. It is appropriate to share this experience, support one another, and focus on how the fast brings us into holiness and yearning for God. I don’t think sharing a spiritual discipline with others is “pride”.

I hope you dont mean that you would not share what fasting means and help them understand its benefit.

I think that is exactly what was meant. That is why I was so puzzled that the person came to this thread!

 

[TK421]

I’m a big spinach + brussel sprouts fan. I almost never buy lettuce, but if I did it would be leafy/dark. Iceberg lettuce is a borderline corruption of the food industry.

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(But I don’t eat it out of a can either )

 

[lilypadrees]

I don’t see being asked about fasting or what we’re giving up for Lent to be prideful or seemingly “holier than thou.” I see it as a means of helping others who may be new to the Catholic faith and to support those who may need the extra encouragement.

Quite frankly, I was puzzled by the poster who didn’t want to share. I found the phrasing of the post very offensive. When my mother went through her first Lent, she asked me for advice. I was moved by her gesture. I shared my insert from our parish bulletin which explained the dietary restrictions. Then I told her what I was giving up as well as what I was going to do in its place. It meant so much to her that I was willing to be so open.

May we all have the humbleness of heart and generosity of spirit to help others.

 

[ConstantLearner]

I don’t mind, either, Lily, and I, too, am puzzled by the poster, and by others who come here to say they will not say. No one is being forced to post on this thread.

 

[cvdream]

Giving up facebook and adding a family rosary, Saint of the day and lent activity book for the kids. Also dedicating more of my day to prayer.

 

[rcwitness]

rcwitness:

Whether you are a private person or not, my point has been that what we fast shoul not be exploited.

I think you lost me here. How can sharing a fast be “exploited”?

But, like you say, the whole “What are you giving up for Lent” chat, rubs wrong.

Is it the language? Would “what fasting disciplines do you practice during Lent” sound better and not “rub wrong”?

I do believe there is a tendency for us, myself included, to take pride in our fasting. I think that notion is not condusive to holy fasting.

I agree, but Lent is also a time for a public fast, meaning that the whole Church does it together. It is appropriate to share this experience, support one another, and focus on how the fast brings us into holiness and yearning for God. I don’t think sharing a spiritual discipline with others is “pride”.

Not merely “sharing a fast” as in fasting together, but discussing what you are fasting with each other. That diminishes the point of fasting to the Father. Jesus imstructs us to keep it secret.

Its not the language, but the notion and practice of talking with each other about what we are fasting. It no longer is a private devotion, but made public.

It is certainly a time for corporal fasting. And meat is to be abstained by all (Ash Wed and Fridays in the U.S.). That much is known by all. But what we fast individually should be private.

Like I said, there is an aspect of sharing with others why we fast and why it is beneficial. But part of that reason, is exactly what Jesus Taught! He said to hide our fasting, so that others dont even know!

Btw, is giving up certain foods and things fasting, or abstaining? Either way its the same concept, but there is a difference, no?

 

[JanSobieskiIII]

I’m attempting a real fast. 2 small snacks and 1 meal per day. Having 2 slices of toast in the morning, small lunch (small chicken sandwich, or something, no sides) for lunch M-Th, and then just a fruit and veggie tray on Fridays.

Dinner is either skipped or a small pork chop, small bowl of soup/spaghetti, etc.

It’s difficult to not snack between meals. I sit at a desk all day and boredom eating is a huge temptation.

 

[ConstantLearner]

Your fast is more than I eat in a whole day on a daily basis! But I understand most people eat a LOT more than I do, and I commend you for your fast, especially not snacking. That is hard to do when working at a desk. I work on the computer a lot, and snacking is a temptation.

 

[JanSobieskiIII]

Same. I work in sales and 90% of my job takes place either on a computer or on the phone. Today we’re having a cook out at work, big bone in pork chops, baked beans, chips deserts. And I’m over here eating some carrots and an apple

 

[ConstantLearner]

That’s takes dedication! I love cookout foods! Don’t know that I could resist. I suppose so, but not sure.

 

[angelic06]

Social media. No Facebook, Instagram, or CM, save FB messenger, and even then only for serious matters. I broke this one early on last year - granted before the start of Lent in the Latin Church, and an old acquaintence that I wanted to discern in the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony blocked me, with the side effects, namely heartbreak, not subsiding until around October. This year, I have not the slightest inclination to break my social media fast. While I do not anticipate things getting better, I know they can’t get worse - and if the Lord sees that I am serious about the Lent observance this year, perhaps He might grant my requests, but “not my will, but Yours be done”.

Dessert. Fresh or canned fruit only for this Lenten season. When Pascha comes around, I will be better able to appreciate the good things the Lord has made.

Time. I will have time for prayer - I have already started my Lenten 54 day rosary novena the Monday before last, and I also do Morning, Evening Prayer or Compline according to either the Book of Divine Worship or the Ordinariate Daily Office.

 

[angelic06]

For those posters who are offended that this topic is discussed, perhaps there are those who need help discerning a suitable observance this Lent, and there are still others among us, namely myself, who need encouragement to continue the Lenten observance.

It has nothing to do with pride.

 

[angelic06]

There are many of us praying for our future wives. That is one of my intentions for this year’s Lenten observance.

So, as a word of encouragement to my fellow gentleman, keep on!

 

[rcwitness]

For those posters who are offended that this topic is discussed, perhaps there are those who need help discerning a suitable observance this Lent, and there are still others among us, namely myself, who need encouragement to continue the Lenten observance.

It has nothing to do with pride.

We can give examples of what fasting is and abstaining from certain things without expoiting our personal fasts and abstnences.

I havent criticized anyone’s encouragement for others to pray, fast, worship, receive Communion, tithe, works of mercy, etc.

 

[angelic06]

How can you give “examples of what fasting is” or encouragement without showing…examples of what is actually being done?

Someone can give all the examples in the abstract all they want, but for me, I actually want to see in real life that something is actually workable before I try it out myself.