09 March 2011

Do you fast?

Happy Ash Wednesday!

Can I just start by saying fasting sucks?
Ok, now that I got that out of my system, I'll talk about how GOOD fasting is for you.

In the Catholic church, we have the season of Lent. This is a time where we reflect on the sacrifices of Christ during the 40 days and 40 nights that he went without food in the desert and was tempted by the devil. So, during Lent, we fast for 40 days and 40 nights, starting with Ash Wednesday where we are reminded "that thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return." Gen 3:19.


{my camera broke, so you'll have to bear with my crappy phone pictures. :) }

When I was younger, I was confused by the way we fast. I thought that fasting was to not eat. I also knew that you couldn't survive more than a week without eating. I knew I was going to die from Lent. Ok not really, but it was confusing! But then I was given a chart and was told to pick something everyday that was hard for me to give up.
Huh?

How is that like what Jesus did for us? When he was tempted in the desert, Satan changed rocks into bread and Jesus refused it. I guess that's kind of how I think about it. If I have the ability to still do the things that I choose to give up, and I refuse them, then I am being like Christ. The devil can't tempt meThis season is all about being more like Him, and making large sacrifices to show that you understand what He did for you.

So this year, I'm giving up laziness. Laziness in EVERYTHING. Because I'm pretty dang lazy. If I could, I would lay on my couch all day. If you've ever been on my couch, you'd know why.
Anyways, starting today I'm going to give up being lazy. I'm giving up procrastination. I'm giving up fast food (you ALL know it's lazy to go to fast food places, don't hate!). I'm giving up NOT working out. I'm giving up laziness!

I'm really excited about this. And blogging about it is going to hold me way more accountable. I know that through Him I can change my life and learn through His sacrifices.

Do you fast? Give me proof of it by your works.
If you see a poor man, take pity on him.
If you see a friend being honored, do not envy him.

Do not let only your mouth fast,
but also the eye and the ear and the feet and the hands
and all the members of our bodies.

Let the hands fast, by being free of avarice.
Let the feet fast, by ceasing to run after sin.
Let the eyes fast, by disciplining them not to glare at that which is
sinful.
Let the ear fast, by not listening to evil talk and gossip.
Let the mouth fast from foul words and unjust criticism.

For what good is it if we abstain from birds and fishes, but bite and
devour our brothers.
May He who came to the world save sinners, strengthen us to complete the fast with humility! Have mercy on us and save us.
St. John Chrysostom

2 comments:

  1. I love this it's so awesome! Can I do lent if I'm not Catholic??

    ReplyDelete
  2. of course you can!!! it's just giving something up for 40 days for our Heavenly Father, anyone can do it. :)

    ReplyDelete