1 Timothy 4:1-9

[Brigid]

I came across this this morning and thought it was something to remember in our lives (especially in Lent and Advent) - that seeking Him is the point of any pious activity we undertake as opposed to false asceticism. We are a very seriously Catholic family and it might be all too easy for one of us (myself included!) to 'throw out the Baby with the bath-water' as far as our intentions are concerned.

Now the Spirit expressly says that in after times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceitful spirits and doctrines of devils, speaking lies hypocritically, and having their conscience branded. They will forbid marriage, and will enjoin abstinence from foods, which God has created to be partaken of with thanksgiving by the faithful and by those who know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected that is accepted with thanksgiving. For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

By recommending these things to the brethren, thou wilt be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished with the words of faith and of the good doctrine to which thou hast attained. But avoid foolish fables and old wives' tales and train thyself in godliness. For bodily training is of little profit, while godliness is profitable in all respects, since it has the promise of the present life as well as of that which is to come.
                                                                                       1 Timothy 4:1-9

(Unfortunately, the Lord knows I'm not thankful for eating vegetables  - at least since I can eat other things.)

[Shin]

One of the blogs that linked to us had a sermon from Pope St. Leo, where an army fasted in penance before fighting its oppressors and so won, when in the past it had lost to them in war.

Whenever I think of fasting in the context of 'well I'll lose a few pounds' I feel I get less out of it than, 'I'm fasting for penance and for the Lord, and to mortify the appetite and passions.'

The motivation I think, really has to be the spiritual, the love of God. 

The flesh compared to the spirit is nothing, after all.

[Brigid]

That's amazing about the army!

It's so hard for us to really, really know (in our hearts) in our earthly life, the unimportance of the flesh.

[Therese]

I came across this this morning and thought it was something to remember in our lives (especially in Lent and Advent) - that seeking Him is the point of any pious activity we undertake as opposed to false asceticism. We are a very seriously Catholic family and it might be all too easy for one of us (myself included!) to 'throw out the Baby with the bath-water' as far as our intentions are concerned.

So true!  I must be on guard!