subject: Fasting for Lent: Taking the Challenge [print this page] Fasting for Lent: Taking the Challenge Fasting for Lent: Taking the Challenge
Each year, Catholics struggle to decide what to give up for Lent. We may give up junk food, soda, or even alcohol. Often times, we try to bargain with God by trying to choose something that is challenging, but not too challenging. We are afraid to stretch our faith. This year, as you begin to ponder this yearly tradition, take a step in faith. This year, try giving up food.
Some might say that it sounds insane. Others might say that we already give up food by not eating meat on Fridays. Let's take it a step further. From dawn to dusk, do not eat any food, and not just on Friday, everyday. Sound impossible? It's not.
Last year, I found myself in the same decision-making process. However, I was an adult going through the RCIA process, and I was set to be Confirmed Easter weekend. I knew that this was a major step in my life, and I decided to really make a commitment in my first Lent participation. I wanted God to know that I was serious. Christ sacrificed everything for us on the cross. The least I could do is endure being hungry.
As someone new to the Catholic faith, I did not know where to begin. Like you may be doing right now, I turned to the Internet to get ideas for Lent. The Internet was full of different sacrifices we could make. Most of them seemed luke warm. Christ died on the cross, and we show Him appreciation by giving up cookies for a month? It hardly compares.
As I kept searching, I came across a few websites that mentioned fasting. Fasting was not out of my vocabulary, but I had never known much about it. So, I decided to learn more. There were a number of different views on fasting. In the end, I realized that it was something that I would have to figure out on my own. By combining a number of different methods, I came up with my own way of fasting.
When Lent began, I decided to not eat during the day. Some websites had recommended eating bread and water during that time. I decided to use this idea and only eat bread, crackers, and the occasional bagel. But, snacking lightly on crackers is different than stuffing yourself with bread. Even with the bread and crackers, the idea was to not feel full.
Water is a must. We cannot completely ignore our bodies. It is unhealthy, and I would not recommend abstaining from water. Even with the bread, do not starve yourself. The idea is to strengthen our faith, not harm our bodies. And, by no means is this a diet plan. In fact, I lost a little bit of weight at first, but then leveled off. After the first week, my body adjusted, and I remained the same weight throughout the forty days.
What did I gain from this? In the end, I grew in faith, and I had a stronger relationship with God. It was challenging from day one until day forty. Faith carried me through the rough times. On the mornings that I woke up too late to eat because the sun was already up, the Father gave me strength. When lunch came and my coworkers all left for lunch, the Son was there with me. One month into Lent when I felt that I could not go any longer, the Spirit carried me.
Giving up food for Lent may seem like a radical idea. In many ways, it is. It will be one of the tougher challenges that you will ever willingly take on. It will not be easy. It will not give you the body of a rock star. But, it will give you a new outlook on life, and a stronger relationship with God. This year, leave the mediocre sacrifices behind. Take on a new challenge. Christ gave up His life for you. What are you willing to give up for Him?
