B) Fasting is hard
C) Fasting would not be so hard if we didn't have so much stimulation at our finger tips
D) The Church is genius
Allow me to expand on my thoughts.
In years past I have chosen some fairly rigorous regimens to pursue during Lent. This year I signed up for a few daily emails, was given assigned spiritual reading by my spiritual director, and picked a particular penance and attached a specific intention to it (thanks SD - it's been good). I haven't been able to stay up on the daily emails (one but not all three), have not been consistent in my spiritual reading (but making progress), and occasionally falter on my penance (okay, I gave up going over the speed limit and sometimes I really should not be a traffic hazard - not an excuse, I know). I've attempted to maintain the general sense that it is Lent (I really don't need that vanilla latte from Starbucks anyway), but feel like I could really be doing better (yes, I am my hardest critic). However, Fr. Robert Barron put it well in his email from day 1 of Lent -
"Lent is a time to get tuned up, to get back to basics,
to remember the fundamentals."
to remember the fundamentals."
All this being said, I've pondered fasting. I recently read this article via facebook. It is a bit harsh, but sometimes harsh is what we need. I particularly appreciate the piece about treats and sacrifice. Today we have such ease of access to "treats" that what should be an occasional goody is almost an everyday norm. I'm not just talking about snacks and desserts either. We have 'treats' in social media and our constant access to it. I wonder what it was like for it to be a 'treat' to hear from a friend via a phone call or see them in person. I am guilty of this, especially at work. I sit in front a computer for about eight hours a day. If I am ever board or in need of a break, I often default to facebook for a breather. It is the same way with our phones. I have a free moment, whether I'm driving or I just checked out at the grocery store, my default mode is to check if someone has reached out to me. We are simply overstimulated: to make (something) more active : to cause or encourage (something) to happen or develop : to make (a person) excited or interested in something (meriam-webster) We get treats ALL THE TIME!
I'm not advocating that we get rid of technology or only consume bread and water. I'm suggesting we find a balance. Life would not be so hard if we really understood the value of sacrifice and 'treats'. I think I have pondered fasting so much this Lent because I'm not really sure what (else) I would really be willing to give up. How many of my comforts do I feel like I cannot live without? Do I feel entitled to them (another subject for another time)?
The Catholic Church is genius (I might be biased). She gives us the Litugical year with various seasons to draw us into the life of Christ. Christ who came not to judge but to save. He came to show us how to walk with him in suffering, to teach us how to love. Here is one tidbit of the genius of the season of Lent:
- Prayer - heals our relationship with him in prayer.
- Fasting - heals our relationship where we are broken within ourselves with fasting
- Almsgiving- heals our relationship with others through almsgiving.
