I'm so glad to read this. I can start the day in bread but I am just too weak to finish it. I like the idea of building up to it, that makes a lot of sense. Like going to the gym and working up to a complete workout so your body gets used to it. I have a habit of going to gym and thrashing myself silly so I ache for days afterwards, I think it would be frivolous to offer that up too.
rosebud.... I too am type II diabetic. Fasting does not affect me, as long as I don't load up on carbs. I eat wheat bread, which is a slow release of carbs. If need be, chose a few items that do not affect a spike in your sugar. But everyone can fast from somethings.. it' so much fun
Mary's child, under the 'devotionals' on the "Our Lady of America" website there is an order form. The diary cost $5.00, It's a 48 page complete diary, really more like a little booklet, but worth every penny.
I have tried, Fatima, many, many different fasts from food, and they never work. It was my dd who pointed this out to me. It doesn't matter, my sugars soar on a food fast. I have tried different types of breads. I have tried very hard, so that's why I do not eat that which I enjoy 3 days a week. That seems to be the way to go for me.
Great post Mark! Love it... I actually just visited Ephesus last April. Our lady called me to Medjugorje during the Bosnian Conflict in '93. I went to Greece last April and it was mayhem with the financial crisis. We boarded a ship and sailed the Greek Islands. My real reason for the trip was to visit Ephesus in Turkey, and Patmos. I have read the Blessed Mother's life story (Emmerich) and was drawn to Ephesus. It is a beautiful place. I know she was there and her assumption occurred there. I took a stone from her well...the well she drew water from and our tour guide said not to take anything as it is a registered ancient site. I slipped it into my pocket. This holy place. I went into her house and wept. I was late for my bus, and they almost left me in Turkey to return to our cruise ship...I also visited Patmos and the grotto of the Apocolypse. Oh my, a dent in the cave wall from St. John's forehead where he meditated. Such a blessing this trip. I had to share this when I read your mention of Ephesus. Such special places, the apostle John took our BVM there as he promised Jesus at the foot of the cross. Beautiful!
Greetings from the Minnesota tundra! So much for global warming! Thank you, Mark, for starting this thread! I have felt the need to begin, once again, fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays as requested by the BVM in Medjugorje. So, some support is needed since it is difficult especially when feeding a family of my own that isn't quite ready to fast with me. I am weaning myself down to just bread and water. I wanted to share with everyone a great bread recipe for anyone that has a bread machine or makes bread from scratch. It makes the sacrafice easier to bear rather than having the overly processed bread from the store. http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/100-whole-wheat-bread-for-the-bread-machine-recipe Also, in my journey, last week I actually started to feel some joy in fasting. I feel more disconnected with this world and more connected with God and the saints. I am learning to focus on the fruits of fasting rather than on my rumbling stomach. While it's still not easy and I still find myself weak at the end of the day, with the help of God, I am getting better at it. I will offer this fasting to the BVMs plans including the end of abortion here in the U.S. and around the world. Thanks again!
Just in case someone may wonder and if I understand it right, the reason why Wednesday and Fridays are set aside for the bread and water fast is to surround Thursday with acts of self-sacrifice and prayer. Thursday is the day we remember the Last Supper, the Eucharist, and Priests, especially on Holy Thursday. In that way with our prayers and fasting we are honoring the Eucharist and Our Lady's beloved sons, the Priests.
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday... Wednesday's and Friday's are days of penance, great days of self sacrifice and love.
