Why we don't eat meat on friday's, marry our siblings, and other things catholic...a FAQ

So, if you are riding in a car with 7 children, the conversation can go in any direction....we only know that it can take us unexpected places. Hopefully, by the end of the ride, we will have some consensus on what the conversation was about and what the resolution was. Saturday was such a day. As we were riding to church, we asked if anyone had though about what they were going to give up for Lent. Blank stares...What are we going to abstain from? Abstain; yes, you know fast. After more silence, a brave boy from the back seat said, "What is fast?" Yes, in a car load of six new catholics who had only just been brought into a catholic home, we had some splaining to do...

We explained that among other reasons, Catholics wanted to suffer along with Jesus' 40 days in the dessert. Jesus went without food or water so he was able to remain strong and resist the temptations of the devil. We try to give up something for Lent, to remain strong with Jesus. When we explained that we were younger, we would give up candy. My brave 6th grader said, "Yeah, that's what I am going to do." confidently, since we don't often have candy.

We then explained to the children that we try to give up something a little harder, like football :o) Or we try to add something in. After some conversation, we decided to go back to doing our rosary every day for Lent since we kindof gave it up by the time everyone returned home at Christmas.

We only just broached the idea of fasting...giving up meat...MEAT. We decided to save that for another day...My children like meat...a lot! So now we have some idea of the journey we will be taking this Lent...at least we know what we are adding and we have a vague idea that we need to give up meat. As for why we don't marry our siblings...that was my been Catholic since birth daughter. She was reading Genesis in the bible, completely unconcerned by the idea of fasting...couldn't care less and had never given up a thing in her life. She could not understand how Adam and Eve could have children if they were brother and sister. The best I could do, since it is a divine mystery, was that when God made their bodies, they were perfect. After years of being not perfect, it isn't such a good idea...Now our bodies have many years of abuse and imperfect genes to account for. We try to help our bodies by giving the best food possible and by trying not to pass on too many problems. And she really needs to think about what she is going to give up this lent, too. It is a family thing.

I think I am giving up taking car rides with my kids...


edited to add a link to the blog lent link up I shared this on...if you are interested in more...

The Alluring World Lent Link Up