Alt-X,
Go look in the "McKees Rocks..." thread for some of what you ask.
As for fasting, since even before Christianity, fasting has been used as a spiritual discipline. Fasting regulations are different according to what Church you belong to, and what you and your Spiritual Father or Mother decide is right for you. A very basic dietary fast would be to abstain from meat on Wednesdays and Fridays. That's very, very simple. Traditionally in some parts of the world, people would abstain from meat, eggs, dairy, oil and wine for the whole 40 days. Please don't try doing that. It's not a matter of "this food is good, and this food is bad" but an opportunity to learn some discipline, and freedom from passions. Along with fasting, we are to pray more, and do works of mercy. Your little book can help you to pray more. Reading the Bible, especially the Gospels and the Psalms is good practice, too. Works of mercy may be charity, or it may be controlling your temper, visiting a sick person, helping when you don't have to - you get the idea. The reason we do all this is to prepare for Holy Week and Easter. You wouldn't go to a fancy dinner in your work coveralls, would you? You'd go home, take a shower, comb your hair, put on nice clothes & shoes, and maybe stop and buy flowers. Why? Because the dinner is special, and you want to be ready for it. In the same way, we use the Fast to stop, clean up, re-focus and make ready for the most special day of the whole year.
God bless!
Sharon
Sharon Mech, SFO
Cantor & sinner
sharon@cmhc.com
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