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Lenten Sacrifice
The Meaning of Fasting 
Everyone has heard of Mardi Gras, which is just a “big bash” the day before Lent. Popularly, it is thought that since “we give up everything we like during Lent” that we need one day to Feast. The history is really a practical one. Because the fast of Lent was intense in the older Church, with giving up all dairy products, eggs, and meats, people used up these products the day before—thus a Feast.
The question some might ask is “Why do we Fast during Lent?” The answer is that the external things around us do effect our lives. If theologically, we understand we need a greater hunger for the Lord in our lives, it is hard to do on a full stomach. So we use hunger to remind us of hunger—hunger for the Lord.
We also used Feasting to celebrate all the Blessings the Lord has given us. That is why all of our holidays that are religious have big meals. Fasting and Feasting are both traditions of the Church. The church today realizing better nutrition, doesn't ask us to fast so severely. There are only two days of required Fast: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
Officially, the church only requires adults to fast from their eighteenth year up to the beginning of their sixtieth year. The law of fast allows only one full meal and two lighter meals in the course of a day, and prohibits eating between meals. Women who are pregnant and people who are sick are not bound by the law of fast.
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Lenten Fast & Abstinence
The question some might ask is “Why do we Fast during Lent?” The answer is that the external things around us do effect our lives. If theologically, we understand we need a greater hunger for the Lord in our lives, it is hard to do on a full stomach. So we use hunger to remind us of hunger—hunger for the Lord.
We also used Feasting to celebrate all the Blessings the Lord has given us. That is why all of our holidays that are religious have big meals.
Fasting and Feasting are both traditions of the Church. The Church today realizing better nutrition, doesn't ask us to fast as severely as in ancient times. There are only two days of required Fast: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
But, we may choose to extend our Fast and Feasting to include other things that “keep us from or help us to”hunger for the Lord. Make more room for God this Lent by choosing not to do some things (fasting) and by choosing to do other things (feasting). Feasting: during Lent, we pay attention to feasting on joy, compassion, service, and hope so that we might grow in faith all year long. Abstinence is the practice of not eating meat on the Fridays of the Lent This is a practice in which Christians offer to do some sacrifice in our lives on a Friday as recognition of what Jesus did for us on that sacrifice of Good Friday. Catholics may choose some other form of sacrifice on the Fridays of the rest of the year, if they wish to eat meat, but during Lent, Catholics in a solidarity of common sacrifice, all refrain from meat on the Fridays of Lent.
The Church’s Definition & Regulations about Lenten Fast and Abstinence
Abstinence: All persons, who have completed their fourteenth year of age, are bound by the Law of Abstinence.
Fast: All adults are bound by the law of fast from the beginning of their eighteenth year up to the beginning of their sixtieth year.
Explanation: The Law of Abstinence means that a person is bound to abstain beginning the day after one’s fourteenth birthday. The Law of Fast means that adults are bound to fast from the day after their seventeenth birthday until the end of the day of their fifty-ninth birthday.
Application of the Law: The Law of Abstinence forbids the eating of meat and foods prepared with meat or meat by-products. The Law of Fast allows only one full meal and two lighter meals in the course of a day, and prohibits eating between meals. In the United States, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast and abstinence. All other Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence only.
Exceptions to the Law of Fast: Women who are pregnant and persons who are sick are not bound by the Law of Fast.
Our Extravagant Needs
In the story about the prodigal son (Luke 15), the foolish son squandered his wealth. Many believe that today’s society is one of self-absorption, materialism and individualism. These are the very things that led to the prodigal son’s demise.
According to Jim Spring, “Seven Days of Play,” American Demographics - March 1993:
We spend our free time as follows:
 12 hours a week watching TV
4 hours watching movies or reading
6 hours a week socializing or eating out
3 hours on hobbies
5 hours a week shopping
1 hour a week on religious work or volunteering
We spend our money as follows:
$44 billion on soft drinks
$5.5 billion on video games
$35 billion on sports activities
$3.5 billion on cut flowers
$29 billion on lottery tickets
$27 billion on skin care
$12 billion on candy
$8 billion on pets
$1.7 billion on missionary activities
These statistics reflect our society’s priorities. How does each of us personally compare to the average? Our priorities are not determined by what we profess to believe, but by how we spend our time and money. “We are ambassadors for Christ.” 2Corinthians 5:20.
Additional Ways to Fast & Feast
We may choose to extend our Fast and Feasting beyond the realm of foods to include other things that “keep us from or help us to” hunger for the Lord. Make more room for God this Lent by choosing not to do some things (fasting)and by choosing to do other things (feasting).
Additional Things to Fast from:
watching television
using foul language
buying new things (clothes, music)
being angry at people
holding resentments
gossiping
being dishonest
Things to Feast on:
prayer
forgiveness
giving our time in service
giving money for people in need
participating in the Sacrament of Reconciliation
acts of kindness to others
volunteering at Church
participating in Liturgy and Eucharist
feasting on joy, compassion, service, and hope
Operation Rice Bowl
Each Lent we participate in “Operation Rice Bowl.” During each week of Lent, we are asked to have one simple meal, such as bread and soup, and contribute the monies we would have spent for a normal meal, to the poor. All the monies collected from the Operation Rice Bowl go to the Diocesan Office to be distributed locally, nationally and internationally.
Operation Rice Bowl helps in two ways. First, it provides monies for those who are in need of the most basic of items food. Secondly, it helps us understand and experience in some way what being poor and hungry is like.
When we participate in these “sacrificial meals” that are suggested, we begin to understand the difference between being hungry for a snack and being without food altogether. We would encourage you to participate in this program during Lent and help those who are really needy.
Wednesday also has been a traditional day in Lent where people have fasted. The Rice Bowl would be a fine “Wednesday Family Lenten Project.”
What is Operation Rice Bowl?
Operation Rice Bowl is the official Lenten program of Catholic Relief Services. Each Lent, parishes, school and other faith communities participate in Operation Rice Bowl to learn more about the work of CRS and put their faith into action. As a Lenten solidarity program, Operation Rice Bowl calls Catholics to reach out to assist our brothers and sisters around the world through the traditional Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving while learning about their lives overseas. This year, join over 15,400 groups in the United States participating in Operation Rice Bowl and foster solidarity between your community and those who struggle with hunger and poverty around the world.
The Operation Rice Bowl 2007 featured countries are Mexico, Pakistan, Angola, Cambodia and Niger. Through stories, photos and recipes from these featured countries, participants learn about the joys and challenges in the lives our brothers and sisters overseas. By signing up for the Operation Rice Bowl Online Community, (orb.crs.org) participants also receive weekly emails during Lent which contain reflections on the 2007 featured countries.
There are Rice Bowls located in Bethany Lobby of the Church or at the Parish Office. Religious Education Students in grades Kindergarten through Grade 5 have also received them in class.
Operation Rice Bowl has served as a tangible way for Catholics in the United States to connect in solidarity with our brothers and sisters overseas for over 30 years. Find out more about Operation Rice Bowl’s History, receive answers to your Frequently Asked Questions, or contact them go to the above web address and learn more about how you can become involved in this Lenten tradition.
Your support helps families around the world through Catholic Relief Services’ development projects.
75% of Rice Bowl proceeds come to Catholic Relief Services and help fund development projects designed to increase food security in communities in over 40 countries around the world.
Agriculture projects help farmers improve crop yields.
Microfinance projects encourage the growth of small businesses.
Mother and Child Health projects provide basic health and nutrition services.
Education projects provide resources and training.
HIV/AIDS projects support the local Catholic Church in communities around the world in addressing the many needs of people affected by this disease.
25% of contributions support hunger and poverty alleviation efforts in dioceses in the United States.
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