I pray the rosary on a weekly basis. I pray the Lord's Prayer on a daily basis. And I go one-on-one with my maker daily.
2. Is fasting a part of your spiritual discipline? If so, what do you see its purpose as being?
Occasionaly. I should probably practice this more often. I see the purpose of fasting as depriving myself of something in order to show God my sincerity about that which I am praying.
3. How do you reconcile the apparent pacifism of the gospel message (the "turn the other cheek" thing) with the need for defense against aggression?
Our God is a just God. Justice does need to be served. I think we all agree that Jesus was the picture of humility and turned the other cheek and even allowed himself to be killed. But remember what he did in the temple? He pretty much went on a tirade and knocked over tables, kicked people out, etc for turning His Father's house into a market. I'm sure there are many other examples of justice, but this one popped into my mind as I read your question.
4. How do you reconcile the gospel's call to poverty with actual practice in a culture which focuses on material gain?
God grants us what we need. Even if that means falling upon hard times. If it's needed for us to become closer to Him, he'll allow that. He gives me what me and my family need to survive. In the past, I have squandered those gifts and that has in turn made for some hard times lately, but we'll get through it. I've no desire to be ridiculously wealthy ... I just want to be able to live and to give my family a comfortable life. I'm not sure if that answers the question, but that's the way I feel about material wealth.
Good point. Why didn't Jesus turn the other cheek here? (I ask this in all seriousness).