U.S. Catholic Book Club: The Spirituality of Fasting
Thursday, February 25, 2010
By Megan Sweas
Comment (1)
The Spirituality of Fasting: Rediscovering a Christian Practice by Msgr. Charles Murphy
Review: Rather than woefully lamenting the loss of the Catholic tradition of fasting, Msgr. Charles Murphy challenges his readers to recover and adapt the practice for today. He agrees that the legalisms associated with fasting in the pre-Vatican II era needed to be discarded, but he also believes that, among other benefits, this age-old spiritual discipline can bring communities together, makes us more aware of the connection between body and soul, and increases our desire for and reliance upon God.
The Spirituality of Fasting offers more than just an argument, though, for why we should fast. It serves as a useful handbook, complete with history, reflection questions, and suggestions for how to translate this valuable ancient practice into our lives. Give it a try this Lent. —Meghan Murphy-Gill, Assistant Editor, U.S. CATHOLIC
Here are a few discussion questions provided in The Spirituality of Fasting:
1. How can I make sure that my religious beliefs are more than an intellectual exercise but are reflected and actualized in the way I live every day?
2. Jesus specifically forbids grimness when we fast. He wants us to appear light-hearted even as we deny ourselves. When I deny myself something, what is my attitude?
3. Most of us have some experience of being part of a group, such as a team, in which everyone has acted together. Is my experience of the pillars of Christianity-prayer, fasting, and charity-similar to this, or different?
Share your thoughts by posting a comment in this forum.
Comments (1)
fasting
By danny gmeiner (not verified) on Tuesday, December 21, 2010i cringe every time i read "He agrees that the legalisms associated with fasting in the pre-Vatican II era needed to be discarded". nothing needed to be discarded. this is how the Israelites ended up making the golden calf while Moses was up the hill. discussion question 3 doesn't belong in this context, because everyone who has ever been part of any kind of team knows how important "legalisms" are to the structure and function of a team. so i ask what is the point here .. ? to create fasting in our image instead of allowing God to create us in His? I do intense fasts every year. the one thing i learned early on is pay attention to what the church has taught (the old Legalisms), because without it, you have nothing but a self-indulgent look at me and what i can do attitude develop. ch. 54 of Isaiah is the holy grail of fasting. it is pure legalism. read it, learn it. then your spirituality will acquire the charism of fasting.
U.S. Catholic insists on a civil and respectful dialogue on our website, following our Comment policy. Comments should be charitable, on topic, and brief. U.S. Catholic reserves the right to delete comments deemed inappropriate. We encourage you to choose your words wisely.
