It is scandalous that so many people (even well-meaning Catholics) pick Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent as a time to disparage the value of fasting. More than ever, this time of year it is common to hear people say that, "It's not really about what you give up, it's about adding good things" or "Lent isn't about giving up candy, it's about being a better person." Of course Lent is about being a better person! Of course Lent is about adding prayers and almsdeeds! But the heart of Lent is the fast! If all we do is add prayer and almsgivng, then we have done only two out of three of the practices of Lent (prayer, fasting, almsgiving) -- that is a 66%, or a D-.
The heart of Lent is the fast. In this homily, we explain why Catholics fast from food (although it is also good to fast from other things like video games or the radio), and why we abstain from meat.
Listen online [here]!
