fast and abstinence
What is Lent?
Lent is a period of forty days reserved for the preparation of the death and resurrection of Jesus during Holy Week.
Since the fourth century, there has been a tendency to establish it as a time of penance and renewal for the whole Church, with the practice of fasting and abstinence.
The law of fasting requires eating only one meal during the day, but does not prohibit taking a little food in the morning and at night. The law of fasting binds all who are of legal age until they are fifty-nine years old. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast and abstinence.
The law of abstinence prohibits the use of meat, but not the use of eggs, dairy and any condiment based on animal fat. The law of abstinence obliges those over fourteen years of age. Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence.
These minimum mortifications of fasting and abstinence must be completed by each one according to personal needs and spiritual demands.
Lent is not just a time of mortification. It is also a time of spiritual retreat in which meditation and personal prayer must be intensified to achieve the spiritual renewal that is desired during this time.
LENT DECALOGUES
THE ASH that God wants
That you do not consider yourself the owner of anything, but a humble administrator.
May you not boast of your talents, but with them build others.
That you do not believe yourself holy or believe something, because holy and great is only God
Don’t get depressed or cowardly, because God is your victory.
That you appreciate the value of simple things.
You value quality more than quantity.
May you live the present time, without so many fears and longings.
May you always be open to hope.
May you love life and defend it.
Do not fear death, because it is always Easter.
THE FASTING that God wants
Do not make superfluous expenses.
Put your investments in the third world bank and in the current account of the poor.
That you prefer to pass your need before your brother suffers it.
That you offer your time to the one who asks for it.
That you prefer to serve than to be served.
May you hunger and thirst for justice.
That you commit yourself in the fight against all marginalization.
May you see in every man a brother.
May you see in the poor and in the suffering a sacrament of Christ.
May you expect a new humanity every day.
THE ABSTINENCE that God wants
Don’t be a slave to consumption, games, fashions.
That you refrain from so much television and so many movies.
They frequent bars and nightclubs less in this liturgical season.
Don’t be a slave to sex or anything.
May you refrain from all violence.
May you respect all living beings.
May you refrain from idle and foolish words.
May you feed on the word of God.
That you eat the meat of God.
That you offer the Lord less time connected to the Internet during Lent (browsing, social networks, etc.)
That you offer the Lord to use only what is essential on your mobile phone or to send fewer messages on Whatsapp.
Recommendation: Present to the Lord a list of resolutions for this Lent in order to strive to remove flaws and be a better person and be closer to the Lord.
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