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Lent fasting came about initially from The Bible Book of John where it says basically if we try to say that we do not sin than we are not being honest. The Sacred Scriptures tell us that all of us are guilty of sin. To correct this inevitable situation humans are faced with we must repent.
So what is Lent Fasting? Lent Fasting is a Catholic Christian’s abstinence from meat starting from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday roughly 46 days. Excluding the six Sundays, it is 40 days. Some observers abstain from meat the whole period and others abstain only on Fridays. Fridays are significant because Jesus was crucified on Friday.
In 1966 the Pastoral Statement on Penance and Abstinence was written by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. Aside from the recommended self imposed observance of fasting, there is other recommended penance. It urges generosity to the poor, spiritual studies, and mortification of the flesh (subduing bodily desires).
When Does Lent Start?
Lent Starts on Ash Wednesday. This day is 46 days before Easter Sunday. So it starts on a different day each year depending on when Easter Sunday falls on. For Eastern Catholics is begins on Clean Monday, 2 days before Ash Wednesday.
Mortification
Mortification means “putting the flesh to death”. This ranges from the internal struggle against self pride and self love to the external mortification of fasting.
The intent of mortification is to put to the death of selfish and self-centered behaviors. Fasting is a form of mortification. It is voluntary self-denial as was conducted by the early martyrs, and a when society gradually modernized sort of self-imposed martyrdom.
The symbolism of 40 days follows the fast that Jesus endured while in the desert for 40 days. During this time he was tempted by the devil. People’s diets are under a high level of scrutiny with weight gain a constant concern. The temptation to eat unhealthy foods is a constant struggle. Fasting Mortification of a certain food unhealthy food allows a person to sacrifice a craved after food in a show of self-discipline.
5 examples of Mortification of the Flesh
- Get up when your alarm goes off the first time.
- Stick to a disciplined diet.
- Don’t gossip or say the negative thought on your mind.
- Exercise to stay healthy.
- When you see a beautiful person but do allow yourself to lust after them.
According to Mother Angelica, the purpose of mortification or penance during lent is not to dwell on the food that a person is giving up. Penance is to forget about the particular food or vice and focus on God. The perfect penance is to make the sacrifice of the moment with love.
What Are You Supposed to Give Up For Lent?
Choices of items to abstain from for lent could be an endless list. But the top item is some sort of food. Farther down the list are social media, junk food, and alcohol. The item shouldn’t be something easy to give up and the proper item would likely be a challenge to do without.
Lent sacrifices do not have to be a particular food or object. They can also be a bad habit or a certain way of thinking. These are accepted forms of penance. Also, it does not have to be just one thing. It can be multiple sacrifices that a person gives up for the lent period.
A person can open their mind to many ideas of what to give up for lent-
- Gossiping
- Negative comments
- Staying up too late
- Eating
sweets - Watching the news
- Reading social media more than 30 minutes a day
- Letting yard work go too long
- Start mentioning positive comments to family and friends
- Making yourself exercise 30 minutes a day
- Worrying about what you cannot change
That is just a few and a person may decided to keep it up after lent is over.
What are the Lent Fasting Rules?
To honor the passion of Jesus on Good Friday all Catholics from the age of 14 until death
Children younger than 18 are considered infants and not considered responsible for one’s self. They are not considered old enough to participate in lent.
But once a person reaches 18 years of age they are ‘presumed to have use of reason’.
Code of Canon Law
The people outside the age limits are exempt as well as sick, frail, nursing or people of unsound mind.
It is about giving up something or taking on extra duties, chores, or penances. Fish and shellfish are acceptable on Fridays. Sundays are mini Easters and are not included in the Lent period. It is appropriate to partake on Sunday what was given up for Lent.
The colors of lent are purple. This is the traditional color of penance, mourning, and royalty.
Why No Meat on Good Friday?
Friday is a special day of penitential observance the whole year. Jesus died on Friday. For people desiring to improve themselves, there is mindfulness of personal and mankind sins. The National Conference of Catholic Bishops considers Friday should be to each week what Lent is for the year.
On Good Friday Christ suffered in the flesh and died for our sins. But it is not clear why fish is ok on Fridays but not meat. Some theories suggest that fish is a symbol for the body of Christ.
Another theory is that true penance is giving up the most valued and expensive part of a meal. That would be meat. The fatted calf is a symbol for celebration for a long-awaited return. This would not fit with the Friday where Jesus was crucified and died on the cross.
When Does Lent End?
To some Lent ends when the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper begins on Holy Thursday. Others will tell you lent ends on Holy Saturday. The ‘Lenten Fast’ actually ends on Holy Saturday. But technically this is different than when ‘Lent’ ends.
To truthfully answer this question a person will need to refer to the Roman Catholic Rulebook. The rule was changed in 1969 in the “General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar” and said, “Lent runs from Ash Wednesday until the Mass of the Lord’s Supper exclusive.” Prior to 1969 Lent ran from Ash Wednesday until Holy Saturday. Now Lent lasts until Holy Thursday.
Related Questions
How do I break a Lent Fast?
If you are only fasting from an item such as candy, it may be advisable to eat candy in moderation to keep from getting a stomach ache.
If you are hardcore fasting by only drinking water while fasting for health reasons bone broth is good. It makes it easier to absorb healthy minerals and vitamins from the subsequent meal. Vegetable and chicken broth are also good.
What if I Break My Fast Too Early?
It is not a sin to break lent fast early. Lent is considered a spiritual journey. Lent is a constant continuing of your self-development. So restart your fast and do not penalize yourself.
Conclusion
Lent is a time of prayer, fasting, and charity. It is not supposed to be a dreaded time or a period of misery. Although Lent is a time meant for self discipline, it is more important to remember the purpose of why you are doing it.
If it seems to harsh or inconvenient to cut down to a meal and two small meals each day remember that Muslims do not eat or drink during the day in the month of Ramadan.
Understand Lent is a time of self-denial, repentance and seeking the Lord. This allows a person to focus on that journey. The purpose is for the atonement of our sins. Peter announced this in his sermon on the Pentecost showing the critical importance of penance “repent and be baptized.”