The Bosque Boys

The actual purpose behind fasting and abstinence is to help us connect with the suffering of Christ. Suddenly, giving up our favorite show or food doesn’t seem so trying in light of what Jesus endured, does it?

Fasting during Lent has its origins in the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert fasting and praying. Days of fasting during Lent are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. On those days, Catholics over the age of 18 and younger than 60 should eat only one full meal. Two smaller meals can be eaten, but when combined, those two should not exceed the full meal.

Abstinence from meat is observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, but is also practiced on Fridays throughout Lent in the United States. Actually, according to the Code of Canon Law, Catholics should abstain from meat every Friday throughout the year in addition to Ash Wednesday and several other days. But in 1966, the U.S. bishops amended the practice to include just Ash Wednesday and Fridays during Lent. They do, however, encourage Catholics to try to abstain from meat every Friday.

Okie, your excellent syntax and comparisons themselves bring home to me the points that are intended by the Lenten practice of giving things up.

I hope I don't sound rude but I still don't grasp the purpose of a ritual to drive home what you so wonderfully stated. If my heart is not moved by the sacrifices of Christ then a Lenten sacrifice won't budge it. And while I completely accept and understand the need for believers to truly define what the Lord did for us, He has not called on us to make sacrifices for Him (other than to adhere to His laws and do what is good, which only stands to reason).

To me this is like Christmas. We recall the birth of our Savior; His incarnation, which would lead to His death and our freedom from bondage (through faith). So why don't we celebrate this on more than one day per year? Why don't we reflect upon it many times per year? In like manner, why make a sacrifice to remind us of what Christ has done for only 40 days of the year (leaving aside my question of why we make a sacrifice that we are not, IMHO, called upon to make)?

If someone chooses to observe Lent that is their choice. I think no less of them for it. I personally do not get it and do not practice it. And if I may attempt humor, I prefer to spend my Fridays eating meat and using the act to reflect upon the bounty and blessings God has granted to us :)

Finally, it is good to know that we may disagree upon this point but remain brothers in our Lord. That is a true family and the unity that comes from faith in Him is itself a blessing. Regardless of my own position I enjoyed your posts on this topic. Thanks for them.

After reading my comment, above, I wish to amend one of my statements. This one:
"And while I completely accept and understand the need for believers to truly define what the Lord did for us, He has not called on us to make sacrifices for Him (other than to adhere to His laws and do what is good, which only stands to reason)."

I actually believe that what Christ asks us to "give up" when we receive Him in faith is not a sacrifice, but the leaving behind of worldly things which lead to sin. Thus, we are not sacrificing anything but trading death for eternal life. Granted, it's not so easy as that for us, but that is the end result.

"If my heart is not moved by the sacrifices of Christ then a Lenten sacrifice won't budge it. And while I completely accept and understand the need for believers to truly define what the Lord did for us, He has not called on us to make sacrifices for Him (other than to adhere to His laws and do what is good, which only stands to reason)."

Well, there goes the whole liturgical calendar. And the entire notion of fasting. If my heart is not moved by the mystery and glory of Christ's birth then partaking in Christmas customs won't budge it (no more Christmas!). If my heart is not moved by the joy and miracle of Christ's resurrection then partaking in a sunrise Easter ceremony won't budge it (no more Easter!). Of course, no one is suggesting that Lenten custom and observation (any more than Easter and Christmas celebrations) can somehow take the place of proper worship and faith, or that mere observation of Lent will suffice somehow to redeem us. Whether they can is a false question because no one claims that they do. Lent is simply a season of soul-searching and repentance, entirely consistent with biblical truth.

Christ admonishes us how to fast: “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
—Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Now fasting presupposes doing something for a season. I wonder why he does that? And I wonder why he fasted for forty days and nights himself?

"Then said Jesus to his disciples, If any man wishes to follow me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." An admonition to deny yourself and take up your cross sounds like a call for sacrifice to me. In fact, this is why C.S. Lewis describes pride and the greatest sin because it is the opposite of denial of self. As Lewis put it "Pride has been the chief cause of misery in every nation and every family since the world began."

Tocqueville, perhaps it is because I associate Lent with Catholicism that I have my issues with it (I am a former Catholic). My experiences were that it was a "feel good" thing; a chance to outwardly show how pious one was, which is not piety at all but the very sin of pride you alluded to (as well as the fasting hypocrites). And those folks I know who have made Lenten sacrifices typically choose something that is, frankly, insignificant to their walk of faith (i.e. chocolate).

If making a sacrifice for 40 days helps me to grow in Christ then I cannot argue any fault with it. I am left to wonder, however, why the sacrifice isn't made complete by making it permanent.

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