Posted on 02/28/2014 5:22:32 AM PST by BlatherNaut
Since losing weight is a this-worldly motive for eating less, I’m afraid it detracts at least partially from “fasting” as a true penance.
The way out of the conundrum, it seems to me, is: Lose the weight you need to—then you can fast for purely spiritual motives!
I think that no one who is overweight can fast with purely spiritual motives. Or, at least, losing weight is always lurking in the back of your mind.
The thing to do is not overthink it. Just fast for a day, and pray, and offer it up sincerely as a penance. Put losing weight out of your mind as much as you can. Don’t keep track of your weight. When you have fasted, forget about it! Stay in the present.
Lent is not a time for “self-improvement” in the sense that it’s not a time for “New Year’s resolutions.” It’s a time to pay more attention to your sins, your relationships, the faithfulness and regularity of your prayer.
This is a book I recommend to everyone, anytime:
http://tinyurl.com/mindofthemaker
I wish every Christian and non-Christian in the world would read this book. I wish everyone, before picking up the gospels, would read this book. Then read it again after having read the gospels.
Here’s something to think about:
Advent is not really about preparing for THIS Christmas, and Lent is not really about preparing for THIS Easter.
Both are about preparing for death, and living more faithfully and obediently in the meantime.
First, I admit I'm completely ignorant about Lent. But your comment is somewhat confusing. If gluttony is my primary sin (which is probably true in my case) then wouldn't forsaking excess food be what's called for?
Am I missing the point of Lent here?
I think so. Gluttony is something we should always be fighting, not just during Lent. Lent is a time to give up something that is good for a higher, spiritual good, not giving up something you should have given up in the first place.
“He must increase, but I must decrease”.
But I read category 1 in post 10, where it says "Give up those things that you need to give up sooner or later, namely bad habits. Your goal here is to brake a bad habit for ever and Lent is a good time to do it." Wouldn't gluttony fit the bill here?
Again, I'm not trying to be argumentative, because I've never known what Lent is. This is all new to me.
In that case yes. But I think there may be a difference between a bad habit and a sin.
Haha wow that's heavy duty there!
The Seven Deadly Sins, and the Seven Contrary (Capital) Virtues
Deadly Sins and Contrary Virtues
Pride……………………………… Humility
Covetousness………………….. Liberality
Lust……………………………….. Chastity
Anger…………………………….. Meekness
Gluttony…………………………. Temperance
Envy………………………………. Brotherly Love
Sloth………………………………. Diligence
http://laycatholics.org/2012/09/18/the-seven-deadly-sins-and-the-seven-contrary-capital-virtues/
Regarding gluttony—you are correct. Overcoming it should be a top priority—whether you are overweight or not. (Thin people can be gluttons, too.)
During Lent, it is traditional to do voluntary penances as a form of prayer. When Catholics “offer something up,” the focus is not on self-improvement, but on offering up a sacrifice. I was referring to this sort of penance, rather than overcoming gluttony. Trying not to be gluttonous isn’t a penance—it’s moral reform. Giving up ketchup for Lent is a penance, not moral reform.
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