St. Francis’ three conditions of proper fasting:1.We must fast with our whole heart, that is to say, willingly, whole-heartedly, universally and entirely.2.Never to fast through vanity but always through humility.3.Look to God and do everything to please Him.We’ll be talking about these three aspects of fasting that make it pleasing to God in our Living Jesus Chat Room this Sunday, Feb. 17, at 7:30 P.M. Eastern Time U.S.As we prepare for the chat, please read the entire article, “Preparing for Lent with St. Francis de Sales.
Car: Lent is my favorite season.
Feb 17 2013, 7:20 PM
Sister : Not everyone can say that- this morning the priest at Mass said it but it sounded like he meant the opposite
Car: I love entering into the desert spirit, where Gods voice is sometimes clearer.
Sister : That’s a beautiful way of describing it. I hope you do get that clarity
The desert experience can be harsh but clearing, so to speak
How do you live that desert spirit?
Car: It does focus one and help to show what is truly important.
Sister : Do you intensify prayer, or solitude?
Car: I try to pray more, first thing in morning and last thing at night. I also read more and spend more alone time
Sister : Like Jesus’ 40 days in the desert!
C: I think that we all have to have desert experiences-not just once, but multiple times-to be clearer minded in following Christ
Sister : Sometimes we create them but sometimes they come to us unexpectedly
Car: So true. Lent is like an intensifying of that
Sister : Loneliness can be a desert experience
C: yes it can, and it is there that God can find us-as we take our eyes off of ourselves
Car Yes. loneliness makes us focus
Sister When we look at Jesus’ desert experience, the temptations in today’s Gospel, we can see parallels in our own lives and be more alert as they crop up during Lent
J: how do you all keep balance? especially during Lent…do you strictly do nothing but Catholic spiritual type stuff? do you still have your favorite tv show you watch for example…do you cut that all out? how does your flesh handle this? do you think it causes you to be out of balance?
Car I am reading the book “Jesus of Nazareth” , by Pope Benedict
It does not feel out of balance, more like a “re boot” to my spiritual life
We intensify our giving, and when we give something up, it is not in the spirit of self denial, but the spirit of love…
Sister : I think balance lies in the motivation with which you perform any particular actuion, not necessarily the action itself
J: sometimes I struggle with am I being too scrupulous..are we to enjoy the gifts from God and what is acceptable there
Sister : Yes love is the key
C: you are feeling that you should not enjoy anything during Lent, but only think of serious things?
Sister : One could read spiritual books all day and be unloving, or watch batman all day but be very loving when you are interrupted, for ex
J: something like that Carol Ann…I wonder am I being too scrupulous and stiffed neck
what would you all do as a recreation type thing?
C: oh I think you are right Sister. The true measure of where we are is how we react to being interrupted
well, I knit, and garden still, and read, and yes, watch sports
Car: It is not about not enjoying anything, or being serious. It is about appreciating the small things more, and appreciating what we have without wanting more and better.
Sister: The Sisters play Scrabble and cards even during Lent, or Catholic trivia That’s our recreation. But we pray more too
Car: I give up things like feeling self pity, or give up feeling egotistic
J: but I think you do have to have an enjoyment time for balance also…whatever that might be
Sister : I think St Francis de Sales 3 rules of fasting apply to all of Lent: doing everything wholeheartedly, in humility, and to please God
Car: Balance is much spoken of by St Francis de Sales!
Sister : yes, a key concept with him So J is in line with that!
C: there’s been a lot of talk on the blogs this year about not giving up sweets or other types of foods in order to lose weight. It’s not fasting for God, but fasting for yourslf
Car:Jyou could be a Salesian!
J: I actually love the Salesian way as much as I know of it
Feb 17 2013, 7:41 PM
Sister: Yes C, that is fasting thru humility, not vanity
Car: I agree, C..giving up things that are so bad or have an other motive is kinda defeating the purpose
I cannot fast because I have health problems, and I barely can eat once a day, so I have to be a bit creative.
C: me too, using retreat questions given to me
Car: lent is about humility…
Lent is about thinking of yourself less, and others more, among other things.
Sr. M: Wanting your neighbor’s good = humility
So, what are your Lenten disciplines?
My homeroom girls filled out a slip for each Lenten category: fasting, prayer, and almsgiving.
What they intend to do/change in each category
Car: I am re-reading St. Faustinas diary, and a book about Jesus by Pope Benedict
J: that diary is great Car..I hear the Pope’s book is also
Sr. M: I always decide to complain/criticize less – a real Lenten discipline for me!
C: I am using reflection questions to keep a prayer journal
Car I like that, Sr. M! less complaint and critisism…
J: well one thing..I haven’t gotten rid of cable…stopped watching regular type tv
Sr. M How about getting rid of your TV – for good?!