I keep going back to fasting. I read and re-read books and attempt to fast 2-3 days a week. Sometimes I succeed and sometimes I fail. I've just finished a little book that I want to share with all on the forum. It's THE MEDJUGORJE FASTING BOOK, by Wayne Weible (amazon) and it's so good. I knew before reading the book that we all needed to be fasting in a serious way. Our world is twisting and turning and we are twisting and turning with it. Our Lady said on July 21, 1982 ..."with prayer and fasting, one can stop wars; one can alter the laws of nature." It is time folks, it's really time to take Our Lady's words seriously, to take Her love seriously. All we can do is offer our hearts to God and the little sacrifice She asks, it is really nothing. Gail
I have this book in my car right now...bought it when I went there in March! Yes, it is a great fasting book! I second your suggestion!
I wonder sometimes, that if fasting is easy maybe we are not doing it right? Maybe its meant to be a little hard? I try to fast every day at work..and I do , but I have been doing it now for so long I don't really notice it anymore. I must pray about this and look to renew my fasting so I feel it a bit more. :shock:
I heard Vicka say in a recent interview that if fasting is very hard and you are feeling sick or weak when doing it, that your heart is not in the right place with it. Basically, she implied that if you are serious about your fasting, then it should be easy. I think of it like prayer, when you stop praying for years, starting again seems very hard. But after you finally get in the right place and prayer becomes part of your daily life, it is easy...it is done without thinking almost sometimes. It hasn't been that long, really, that I said my first rosary again after many years (let's see, it was in 2005). Anyway, I remember thinking how hard it was and how long it took, and how in the world could I do this every day??? My gosh, I could never say all three (or 4!) decades in one day...well, we all know where we go from there, and when you look back it seems so silly that you thought it was actually hard to do. Fasting is the same way. When you do it right, it just works. I can't convince my husband of this yet...in fact, he still is in the "rosary is hard" stage. I think I need to get him back to Medjugorje one more time. That might do it... Padraig, if fasting is easy for you, then I think you are in the right place. Don't fix it if it isn't broke... I always try to remember, that when I get hungry, or when for whatever reason I think of breaking a fast, I have to simply offer the suffering..the hunger or the headache or whatever, up as a prayer and do the right thing. The temptation will pass, it always does. Oh, and when you think about staying up until after midnight to eat??? GO TO BED! LOL
Here's my take on it - the abiltiy to fast & or pray is a gift - thank God if you find it easy because I find it hard! But then I take comfort in the fact that one of my heroes Fulton Sheen was averse to fasting and found it almost impossible. Yet, during his priestly ministry he made a promise to spend one hour each day in Eucharistic adoration/a holy hour every day of the year, 365 days X 1 hour - and he managed to keep that promise every day of his priestly ministry - and is his cause for beatification is well on the way.
garabandal, That was a great sacrifice of time for the good archbishop. He was an extremely busy man. But again, that reflects one of our Lady's points in Medjugorge that makes no sense on a human level. She once encouraged us to spend six hours in prayer each day. In that way we would be able to fulfill all our duties well! Amazing, simply amazing! BTW, the part of the message which strikes me was: Therefore, little children, in the love for my Immaculate Heart, love God above everything and live His Commandments. Anything for Mom! Lee, I just wanted you to know that my life has been extremely busy and I have slacked off on fasting out of fear of the weakies. But after your words of encouragement I fasted this week and was greatly blessed. Thank you! Safe in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary!
Hi all, Sounds like everyone is trying to fast in some way, or to make a sacrifice in some way. That it great, and though Mary says that bread and water is best, we all have to decide what is best for ourselves. I also add unsweetened tea to my fast, as it is good for my body and it helps me to not get a caffeine headache on my fastng days, as I regularly drink tea and diet soda normally. My biggest trouble is staying away from the soda...I often am tempted to just have one in the morning, and then the rest of the day do the fast. that's my weakness I sometimes give in to. BUT this Wednesday and Friday, I suspect I will be good, as I will be in Medjugorje!!! Yay! And Mirjana accomidates the fasters in the group very well at her table. And I need to show my mom how to fast...so I will be on my best behavior. Oh, and diet coke is not even in Mirjana's house (just regular Coke and I don't drink that too much because of the sugar), I have to buy it elsewhere and it comes in a small bottle and usually with no ice...so it is easier to abstain there. So, this is my last post for a couple of weeks. I will pray for the good works of this forum and for all of you. Kathleen, I will get you that rosary I promised. I better get to bed, I have been up way too late the last couple of nights. The Jet lag will probably hit me hard. Take care, and God Bless you all, Connie
Connie: Thankyou. Your notes Make me feel very connected to your experience. Keep sharing and thank you for thinking of me. Travel safely! Kath
