Since Vatican II and the decline of ascetic practices in the Church, bishops and priest during Lent kind of make it up as they go and disregard altogether what fasting is. As an ascetic practice, it has nothing to do with giving up bad habits, but rather giving up certain foods and drinks that one loves for a great cause, that of "sacrificing" something one loves and needs for life without going overboard.
Thus, I cringe when I read this from Pope Francis:
Don't get me wrong, in a way these suggestions are an examination of conscience wisely to be used during lent, but observing these has nothing to do with fasting although I suspect the Holy Father is using fasting in the pejorative sense.
I would much prefer from a Jesuit pope, to reemphasize ascetic practices lost in the Church since about 1966 or so. Why is actual fasting good for the body and soul? Why is giving up something that is good and we love, like sweets, fast food, desserts, steaks, expensive meals, to be recommended.
Fasting is linked to what is good and we love to eat or drink or smoke, if you want to expand it.
You are not to fast from things you despise, like cows' liver, tripe, certain vegetables, etc.
Lent, though, calls us to repent and believe the Good News as we recall that we are dust and unto dust we shall return.
Giving up bad habits or mortal sins is a part of Lent but it is not a part of fasting.
There, I got that off my chest and I'll stop ranting.
16 comments:
Fasting, whether from bitterness, pessimism, or anger, or from favorite foods or entertainments, must first be an act of worship of God, to glorify God. "Say to all the people of the land and to the priests: When you fasted and lamented in the fifth and in the seventh month these seventy years, was it really for me that you fasted?" (Zech 7:5).
Richard Foster writes about the secondary purpose of fasting: "More than any other discipline, fasting reveals the things that control us.... We cover up what is inside us with food and other good things. But in fasting these things surface."
Fasting, as Pope Francis suggets, from hurting words, grudges, anger, can be an act of worship and can also help us come to terms with our "inner demons" as it were, the things we cover up with our ugly words, our grudges, our anger. Either way, fasting can be of great spiritual benefit.
Father McDonald,
If I comment on the old abstinence from meat rule. My aunt, a very traditional Catholic nun, told me she once visited a convent on a Friday night and was expecting a simple, non meat meal. It was anything but that. They were serving lobsters! She thinks they really did not understand the underpinnings of the rule
FR MJK
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Fasting, as Pope Francis suggets, from hurting words, grudges, anger, can be an act of worship and can also help us come to terms with our "inner demons" as it were, the things we cover up with our ugly words, our grudges, our anger. Either way, fasting can be of great spiritual benefit."
Maybe PF should take his own advice.
Lobster vs. Steak..
This story goes around. The implication is that lobster is not a penitential food and is't it just funny how the religious get around fasting rules.
Every time I hear this story it occurs to me that the teller misses the point. By serving fish or lobster the nuns note the presence of Lenten times abstaining from red meat. They probably say special prayers at this time or practice other penitential acts. They are not cheating as the story intends to imply. Of course, the observer does not know this by looking at the nuns' menu only. Rash judgement I say.
My father was from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia where lobster is not considered a delicacy and neither would salmon be considered elite. It would be right up there with fish sticks and cheese sandwiches.
Father McDonald,
This was in the Midwest where lobster is, and was, a luxury. She was appalled. My family might have had lobster once a year, if my Mom felt she had a bit of extra money to spend. The nuns could have had macaroni and cheese, or fish sticks.
A nun was seen being chauffered in a Rolls Royce. A visitor to that town saw this and immediately concluded that the Good Sisters were not living the life of poverty to which they were vowed.
He complained to the Bishop who, in turn, complained to the General Superior in Rome. The Superior of the local convent received a call from the Gen'l Superior the next day demanding to know what the heck was going on.
The local superior explained that the sister seen riding in the Rolls was being driven to the doctor by her brother, a wealthy local businessman.
Some people are scandalized by their own misperceptions.
(Look into "Lobsters of the Midwest," the Missouri lonpincered crayfish, by the way. Word is, they are quite tasty.)
The Roman Rite has become laughable and is a lost cause.
Anonymous K at 3:45,
Knock it off berk. My Aunt did not mooch and was a holy woman and was not a judgmental woman like you. I can see why the lovely Bee has stopped posting here. John Nolan’s comments on your female side are applicable to this thread
Bergoglio always sez don't worry, be happy, and never instruction on how to do so, and his encyclical on prayer was as bitter and meanspirited as they come in taking potshots at opponents. which was the main content of that sorry letter to the churches.
Physician, heal thyself.
Sophia here: I too miss the lovely (perfect adjective) Bee, Pierre!
I thank Pope Francis for his holy reflection/suggestions as to the various ways to fast.
He leads us to holiness and peace — peace within our hearts and minds — peace amongst us.
Jesus Christ has entrusted to Pope Francis the Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.
May God grant His Holiness, Pope Francis, many happy and blessed years.
May God grant the same to Father McDonald...and all who read and participate on Father McDonald's blog.
Pax.
Mark Thomas
Is fasting a subset of abstention? If so, could one abstain and still not be fasting? Of course sinful acts feed evil spirits, I don’t think that was his point Pope Francis makes a nice point for pop culture but I think fasting is, ironically, less subjective than abstaining from injurious words.
I read this post after I made the decision to give up complaining for Lent.
So what am I supposed to do now? I almost broke my resolution by just posting here!
3 "holy" shots for Mark Thomas! Keep em' coming!
As Catholics we are called to do penance all the time. Doing penance doesn't mean punishment, but rather means engaging in conversion. Or another way to put it is to examine oneself and admit where one is doing something they shouldn't be doing, or not doing something they should and determining to overcome the fault(s). That's why in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, prayers are usually given for a penance. Not as a punishment but as a help to overcome faults. At least that's what "doing penance" means in a Franciscan sense.
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