Tag Archives: fasting

LifeTeen.com Blog

Why do Catholics Abstain from Meat on Fridays in Lent?

By | February 13, 2013

2013-02_LT-FishFridays

Picture it: You’re in a hurry. You’re focused on school or work or family or friends, where there are a thousand things going on. You stop “real quick” to eat in the middle of the day. Halfway through the meal – or a little while after – you remember it’s Friday. And it’s Lent! And that’s a burger in your stomach!! In the words of Homer Simpson, “D’oh!”

More »

LifeTeen.com Blog

Welcome to the Desert: Lent 2013

By | February 11, 2013

2013-02_LT-WelcomeDesert

So here we are. Lent 2013. Another 40 days of no caffeine, cookies, soda, candy, the snooze button, Facebook/Twitter, gossip, video games, complaining, showing up late, secular music, texting, TV, or homework (just kidding . . . don’t try it, it doesn’t work).

There could be a lot of different motivations behind those sacrifices – like a desire to lose weight, or to get attention . . . but that’s not exactly what Lent is about.

More »

LifeTeen.com Blog

What to Give Up for Lent: 20 Weird Ideas

By | February 6, 2013

2012-02_LT-LentSacrifices

Ready to move beyond just giving up chocolate? Last year we gave you 25 Creative Ideas for Lent. This year, we wanted to expand upon that list. Except, if you know us, you know we like to make things a bit . . . well . . . more interesting. So here’s a list of weird things to do for lent. The best part is that even though they’re a bit odd, they will actually help you to be holy! Don’t eat the last bite of your food Park at the very back of the parking lot Put a popcorn kernel in your shoe Read more [...]

More »

LifeTeen.com Blog

Why Do Catholics Fast before Mass?

By | June 21, 2012

2012-06_LT-WDC_HourFast

Fasting is all about the “disposition” of your soul. That means the “condition” or “state” that your soul is in. In order to prepare the soul, we have to prepare the body.

We are physical beings. When we force our body to do something hard, like not eat or drink, it reminds us that hunger and thirst for spiritual food is even more important.

Since the body and soul make up the one person that you are, they have to do things together . . . like get ready for Jesus in the Eucharist.

More »

LifeTeen.com Blog

Do You Feel Like You’ve Failed This Lent?

By | March 21, 2012

2012-03_LT-LentFail

Then it happened. In a moment of weakness and stress, I found a Coke and failed my annual challenge once again. I was really frustrated. This was supposed to be the year that I finally got it right, the one Lent that I could finally prove to God and to myself that I could do it. I spent a day or two so frustrated that I couldn’t bring myself to pray. I couldn’t face the God who suffered and died for me when I couldn’t give up a freaking soft drink.

More »

LifeTeen.com Blog

Life Teen Summer Prayer Challenge: Week 5

By | August 1, 2011

The Life Teen Summer Prayer Challenge for this week is: Fast on bread and water for lunch one day this week. People were fasting even before Jesus was born, that’s how old this practice is!

More »

LifeTeen.com Blog

On Fasting (John Paul II Lenten Reflections)

By | April 8, 2011

“Why do your disciples not fast?” Jesus answered: “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast” (Mt 9:15) Why fasting? It is necessary to give this question a wider and deeper answer, in order to clarify the relationship between fasting and “metanoia”, that is, that spiritual change which brings man closer to God. Food and drink are indispensable for man to live, he uses them and Read more [...]

More »