Fasting

Today (Ash Wednesday) is a day of fasting and abstinence. 

As Catholics, we abstain from meat today.  I seldom go a day without eating meat so this is a sacrifice for me but I do so willingly because God is more important to me than a piece of meat. 

As Catholics, we are also called to fast today, meaning one main meal, and two small meals.  I like to eat.  I like to snack (especially on my favorite candy).  As I write this at 8:15 p.m. on Ash Wednesday, I realize that fasting for a single day really isn’t that difficult.  I like to tell myself that when I eat it is always because I am hungry.  Unfortunately, I think the snacking is more about habit rather than hunger. 

My faith in God is stronger than my desire for a candy bar.  I give up the candy bar readily today.  What I need is to figure out how to give up candy and any other bad habits for ever.  It isn’t that candy is a terrible thing.  While, there are certainly more healthy things to eat, that doesn’t make eating candy a sin.

If eating candy isn’t a sin, then why should I give it up (or at least eat far less of it)?  First, the obvious answer is that it isn’t good for me.  The second answer relates to another reason I eat too much candy.  When I am stressed, I snack more.  I think a lot of people do this.  I would be far better off turning to God with my stress.

Is there something in your life that you turn to in stress instead of turning to God?

Peace,

Fr. Jeff