Feedback.The reason I choose to fast or not to fast is ... Church law, tradition, and a desire to come closer to God. Jason Silva Jason Silva (born Feb 6, 1982 in Caracas, Venezuela) is a Venezuelan-American television personality currently working as a Host and Producer on Current TV, the lifestyle network for young adults co-founded by Al Gore. He currently resides in Los Angeles. Plymouth, Mass. Besides Ash Wednesday Ash Wednesday, in the Western Church, the first day of Lent, being the seventh Wednesday before Easter. On this day ashes are placed on the foreheads of the faithful to remind them of death, of the sorrow they should feel for their sins, and of the necessity of and Good Friday Good Friday, anniversary of Jesus' death on the cross. According to the Gospels, Jesus was put to death on the Friday before Easter Day. Since the early church Good Friday has been observed by fasting and penance. , I do not fast on other days because being hungry makes me so crabby crab·by adj. crab·bi·er, crab·bi·est Informal Grouchy; ill-tempered. crab  bi·ly adv. that I lose sight of the
spirituality of it.Susan Wustrack Milwaukee, Wis. It's good for the soul, mind, and body, but it requires reflection. David Thomas Whitefish whitefish: see salmon. whitefish Any of several silvery food fishes (family Salmonidae, or Coregonidae), inhabiting cold northern lakes of Europe, Asia, and North America. , Mont. I don't because I get too caught up in work and the daily routine. Mary Zapor Redlands, Calif. To express solidarity with the poor and oppressed op·press tr.v. op·pressed, op·press·ing, op·press·es 1. To keep down by severe and unjust use of force or authority: a people who were oppressed by tyranny. 2. . Fasting during Lent is a discipline that reminds me That Reminds Me is a series of programmes broadcast on BBC Radio 4 where someone (usually) connected with comedy talks about their life for thirty minutes in front of a live audience. that I am part of the Body of Christ
The Body of Christ is a term used by Christians to describe believers in Christ. Jesus Christ is seen as the "head" of the body, which is the church. . My sacrifice is a small way of alleviating suffering. Terry Ginther Allenwood, N.J. I believe Lent should be a time to add good deeds to our daily life. I prefer to add daily Mass and Communion. Teresa Martinis Valley Stream, N.Y. I feel we have too much in terms of material wealth, food, power, and so on in America. Fasting is a conscious way to resist the "more is better" mentality of our culture. Not focusing on outward needs can also lead me more readily to look at my inward needs. Lisa Hirsch Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, city (1990 pop. 109,592), seat of Washtenaw co., S Mich., on the Huron River; inc. 1851. It is a research and educational center, with a large number of government and industrial research and development firms, many in high-technology fields such as , Mich. Instead of fasting during Lent, I ... Try to deny myself some "goodie good·ie n. Variant of goody1. " and emphasize prayer and almsgiving more. Hugh Dewig Albuquerque, N.M. Add some adult education, Stations of the Cross Stations of the Cross depictions of episodes of Christ’s death. [Christianity: Brewer Dictionary, 1035] See : Passion of Christ , and attend an extra Mass each week. David Koopman Postville, Iowa Reflect on a theme. This past Lent it was forgiving those I don't want to forgive. Name withheld Minnetonka, Minn. Do charitable works, help those less fortunate than myself, which I feel is more in conformity with gospel teachings. Louis F. Pauzano Sr. Philadelphia, Pa. The greatest insight I've gained from fasting is ... The tremendous hunger that abounds in our world--hunger for food, yes, but also hunger to be loved, forgiven, acknowledged, and affirmed. Father Emmet Murphy, O.F.M. Butler, N.J. If we do not love our neighbor, fasting is just an empty ritual. Paul Wisniewski Cheektowaga, N.Y. How much I don't really need whatever it is I'm fasting from--gossip or red meat. Suzanne Poisl Kenosha, Wis. Life is not all about me. Joan Hochmuth Salisbury, Md. A greater sense of food as gift and an attitude of stewardship toward food. Mary Anne Bressler Cincinnati, Ohio “Cincinnati” redirects here. For other uses, see Cincinnati (disambiguation). Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Hamilton County. How overly controlling the church is. Name withheld Lowell, Ind. Becoming the person God wants me to be isn't always comfortable or convenient. Michael Ryba Hudson, Ohio Hudson is a city in Summit County, Ohio, United States. The population was 22,439 at the 2000 census, making it the 389th largest city in the midwest. This number rose to 23,154 at the 2006 census estimates [1]. The pangs of hunger I experience for one day are what many experience every day. Fasting takes me to a higher spiritual awareness of the gospel, my own inner self, and the world around me. Kathy Munson Red Lodge Red Lodge could be
What the church teaches me about fasting is ... Fasting is a worthwhile voluntary practice that all are encouraged to embrace. Father James Caddy A plastic container that holds a CD or DVD disc for added protection. The bare disc is placed in the caddy, and the caddy is inserted into the drive. A caddy is not a jewel case. A jewel case protects the disc for transportation. A caddy protects the disc while reading and writing. Gates Mills, Ohio It helps us acquire mastery over our instincts and freedom of heart, the Catechism says, but prayer and reading do this for me without a lot of fasting. Mary Schwegler Saint Louis Saint Louis (l  `ĭs), city (1990 pop. 396,685), independent and in no county, E Mo., on the Mississippi River below the mouth of the Missouri; inc. as a city 1822. St. , Mo.When we empty ourselves, we make room for God in our lives. Robert Lebrun Langdon, N.D. It's a form of penance and self-discipline. Michael Hansen Salem, Ore. I grew up with rules and little explanation of fasting. I don't think I've ever heard the "why" explained well in church. Rachelle Hickey Naperville, Ill. I'm 86 and I have been through so many changes, I just decide for myself. Name withheld Wisconsin Rapids Wisconsin Rapids, city (1990 pop. 18,245), seat of Wood co., central Wis., on the Wisconsin River; inc. 1869. Paper, heating equipment, plastics, chemicals, paint, and iron and steel are produced. , Wis. My best (or worst) experience with fasting was ... Serving food to others. The food was partially supplied by my not eating lunch. Bill Shea Mesa, Ariz. Feeling I would go to hell for forgetting and eating meat on Friday. Name withheld Belen, N.M. When my children followed my example and also fasted during Lent. Joseph Hodge Seekonk, Mass. Feeling guilty when someone prepares a meal for me and I don't eat it because it has meat in it, or feeling guilty for eating it to spare their feelings. Either way I feel guilty. Karen Graff Dalhart, Texas At a peace and justice workshop, we did a simulation on food distribution in the world. You see how much the United States has compared to other nations and the frustration people go through for food. Gary Sielski Manistee, Mich. Substituting crab and shrimp for meat on Friday instead of eating simply and knowing this was the only time in the year we ate this well. Susan Logsdon Walla Walla, Wash. When I gave up smoking--for Lent and for good. Name withheld Chicago, Ill. When my motivation is not pure, like when I really want to lose weight. Mary Valenti Forest Hill, Conn. When I did a 30-day bread and water fast. It was an exciting spiritual endeavor. The best part was not telling anyone. Rose Mysiuk North Quincy, Mass. When I almost fainted. Rita Stalzer La Grange Park La Grange Park, village (1990 pop. 12,861), Cook co., NE Ill., a suburb of Chicago; inc. 1892. Pens are manufactured there. , Ill. General Comments Fasting should be freely chosen to make it meaningful. As soon as the church starts to require something, it becomes inundated in·un·date tr.v. in·un·dat·ed, in·un·dat·ing, in·un·dates 1. To cover with water, especially floodwaters. 2. with rules and regulations. Susan Danner Montrose, Colo. If more of us understood fasting as it relates to the information in the article, I think many more would fast on Fridays. Sharon Braungart Winter Park, Fla. When I abstain from eating meat, I feel no great loss. Real fasting to me would mean experiencing real hunger. Elsie Scruggs Massena, N.Y. Any directive on fasting ought to be an interfaith effort--a joint statement by all Christians, Muslims, and others, with good instruction and a commonly agreed-upon purpose. Imagine the world impact! A unified effort to achieve justice and peace for all people. Bill Peters Pittsburg, Pa. I have found it easier to fast with my Muslim friends since they are more understanding than other Catholics who eschew this tradition. They understand my refusal of sweets during Lent. Brenda Velasco Colonia, N.J. I became a vegetarian because of my concern about world hunger and my desire to live closer to the poor. Fasting can open our hearts so we are more sensitive to their needs. Name withheld Ames, Iowa The author's description of fasting is beautiful and poetic. I am a bit envious that I did not find the joy in the observance that she finds. Thelma Ivery Montgomery, Ala. Fasting should not be about making our waistlines smaller but our hearts larger! Helen Brewer Vienna, Va. AND THE SURVEY SAYS ... 1. I wish Catholics would return to the traditional practice of the Friday fast (less food and no meat), as called for in the peace pastoral. Agree 50% Disagree 34% Other 16% 2. Fasting can be connected to social justice and peace. Agree 79% Disagree 16% Other 5% 3. My experience with fasting is: (More than one answer allowed.)
46% I just abstain from meat
on Fridays during Lent.
27% I fast on Fridays during
Lent.
13% I used to fast but don't
anymore.
4% I have never fasted.
3% I fast every Friday
throughout the year.
19% Other.
Representative of "other": "I abstain every day. I fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday." 4. When I do fast, I feel: (More than one answer allowed.)
38% More connected to God.
29% More connected to the
poor.
19% Just hungry.
11% Preoccupied with the
weight I might lose.
16% I don't fast.
18% Other.
5. Almsgiving and prayer are more important practices than fasting: Agree 58% Disagree 18% Other 24% Representative of "other": "All are important, especially since fasting can be a form of prayer." 6. It's too easy for fasting to become overly legalistic le·gal·ism n. 1. Strict, literal adherence to the law or to a particular code, as of religion or morality. 2. A legal word, expression, or rule. and lose its meaning. Agree 78% Disagree 17% Other 5% These results are based on survey responses from 197 U.S. CATHOLIC readers and website visitors. |
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