Lent Week 2

Why do we fast? What exactly is fasting?

St. Basil the Great tell us “The fast is the weapon of protection against demons.” Monsignor Charles Pope says fasting helps us “make more room for God in our life.”

• What are your thoughts on fasting?
• What has your past experience with fasting been? But why fast from food?

The Church asks us to fast or abstain from food or meat because it is elemental…it is like air or water, necessary for life. When we fast or abstain from food, we cannot take it for granted.

• Why does the Church ask us to fast?
• Have you ever “fasted” from things other than food? Share how that made you feel?

In the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1434 we hear: “The interior penance of the Christian can be expressed in many and various ways. Scripture and the Fathers insist above all on three forms, fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, which express conversion in relation to oneself, to God, and to others.

• How are you able to fast in your everyday life?
• Why have you or haven’t you fasted in the past?

READ: 1 Corinthians 7:5--Do not deprive each other, except perhaps by mutual consent for a time, to be free for prayer, but then return to one another, so that Satan may not tempt you through your lack of self-control.

• What has Jesus taught you about or through fasting?
• How can fasting or penance make us co-redeemers with Christ?

RESOLUTION: Each week we encourage all small group members to make a resolution related to the topic. For fasting, think about how you fast and when. Discuss your resolution for this week. Some ideas:

• Do you usually fast during Lent? What about giving something up for Lent? How can you think about what you are giving up to match your thoughts on fasting?
• Have you ever fasted on a day during Lent other than Ash Wednesday or Good Friday? Could you fast from food this week?
• Could you approach fasting or abstinence differently this week…have a prayer ready for when you feel tempted so that you can turn to God with that temptation instead of breaking your fast?
• The word “breakfast” means “breaking the fast”…of the night. How can you approach breakfast this week (pray beforehand more consistently in order to break the fast with a thankfulness for God’s goodness and bounty in your life)?