[THEME MUSIC] >> Father Pacwa: I'M FATHER MITCH AND WELCOME TO EWTN LIVE, WHERE WE BRING YOU GUESTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD. AND TONIGHT, WE WILL ALREADY START LOOKING TOWARD OUR PREPARATIONS FOR LENT, WHICH BEGINS ON MARCH 2ND FOR THE ROMAN RIGHT THIS YEAR. AND BY LOOKING AT A LITTLE BIT OF THE HISTORY OF THE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE OF FASTING, HOW WE CAN LEARN THAT FASTING IS A LOT MORE ABOUT THE HEART THAN IT IS ABOUT THE PALLET OR THE STOMACH. WE WILL ALSO TAKE A LOOK AT HOW THE DECLINE OF FAUSTIAN, ESPECIALLY IN WEALTHY NATIONS, IF NOT TO SAY OVERWEIGHT NATIONS LIKE OUR OWN, HAS PROVEN TO BE SPIRITUALLY DISASTROUS. BEFORE WE GET TO TALKING ABOUT FASTING, WE WANT TO FEAST OUR EYES ON A BRAND-NEW PROBLEM THAT HAS COME TO EWTN ABOUT VENERABLE FR NELSON BAKER. TO HELP US WITH THAT, EWTN'S JOHN ELSON IS HERE TO TELL YOU ABOUT THAT. JOHN, I'VE GOT TO GET ALL THE CONSTANTS CORRECT HERE. GO AHEAD, WHAT DO YOU HAVE ABOUT FATHER NELSON? >> WANT TO LET HER AUDIENCE KNOW THAT NEXT WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16TH AT 11:30 A.M. EASTERN AND 11:00 P.M. EASTERN AS YOU MENTION WE WILL BE DEBUTING A NEW EPISODE OF "THEY MIGHT BE SAINTS." FATHER NELSON WAS BORN IN BUFFALO, NEW YORK, TO A LUTHERAN FATHER AND A CATHOLIC MOTHER AT THE AGE OF NINE, THE YOUNG NELSON DISCERNED HE WOULD LIKE TO BE A CATHOLIC AND CONVERT TO THE FET. HE FOUGHT FOR THE UNION ARMY AND SAW ACTION IN THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG. AFTER HIS MILITARY -- AFTER HIS MILITARY CAREER HE WAS ABLE TO BECOME VERY PROFICIENT IN BUSINESS THANKS TO HIS FATHER WHO WAS A GREAT BUSINESSMAN. AND WHILE HE WAS ON A BUSINESS TRIP, HE SAW TWO YOUNG ORPHANS AND TALKED TO THEM, REALIZED THEY WERE LIVING IN THE SAINT JOE JOSEPH'S ORPHANAGE. AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THAT ORPHANAGE DISCERNED A CALLING TO THE PRIESTHOOD. WHILE IN SEMINARY, HE HAD A SMALL GROUP OF SEMINARIANS WERE ABLE TO TRAVEL TO EUROPE TO VISIT THE GREAT DRAWINGS THROUGHOUT EUROPE AND THE ONE SHRINE THAT CAUGHT HIS ATTENTION THE MOST WAS OF THE LYDIA VICTORY. AS WE KNOW, OUR LADY OF VICTORY IS THE TITLE GIVEN TO OUR LADY AND CURRENT ADMIRATION OF THE MIRACULOUS VICTORY OF THE CATHOLIC FLEET AND 5071. THE AREA THAT IS NOW SOUTH OF GREECE. AFTER HE WAS ORDAINED A PRIEST, HE BECAME THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE OR FREE LUNCH THAT HE HAD DISCOVERED AS A YOUNG MAN. HE REALIZED THAT THE ORPHANAGE HAD ACQUIRED A LOT OF DEBT. BIT BY BIT THROUGH THE PATRONAGE OF OUR LADY OF VICTORY, WHOM HE HAD PLACED UNDER HER PATRONAGE IN PARIS, BEGAN TO CREATE BIT BY BIT WHAT HAS BEEN CALLED AND WHAT HAS BECOME A CITY OF CHARITY. SO NOW THEY HAVE THE ORPHANAGE, BUT HE ALSO CREATED A HOME FOR UNWED MOTHERS, AND INFANT HOME, HOSPITAL, ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL, AND AN AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL BASILICA. WHAT SHE WAS ABLE TO CREATE AND SUSTAIN ALL THE OTHER APOSTOLIC WORKS BY BEING THE FIRST PERSON TO PRACTICE ON NONPROFIT SOLICITATION. YOU WRITE LETTERS TO PEOPLE WITHIN THE COUNTRY AND AROUND THE WORLD ASKING FOR SUPPORT. SO FATHER NELSON IS AN AMAZING FIGURE. IF HE FELT IN FAITH THAT SOMETHING NEEDED TO HAPPEN, HE WOULD NOT BE DETERRED. IDEALLY SAID THAT IF HE FELT THAT SOMETHING -- SHE WOULD NEVER ALLOW SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE DONE OR COULD BE DONE TO BE UNDONE. LATER IN LIFE WHEN HE WAS THANKED BY MANY PEOPLE FOR ALL THAT HE HAD DONE, HE SAID I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING, SHE DID. SPEAKING OF HIS THE LYDIA VICTORY. A MAN OF GREAT EMPATHY. WE ARE VERY DELIGHTED TO BRING THIS PROGRAM TO THIS AUDIENCE. >> Father Pacwa: THAT IS GOING TO BE WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 16TH AT 11:30 A.M. AND TO REPEAT IT AT 11:00 P.M. EASTERN TIME. ALSO, IF PEOPLE WANT, THEY CAN GO ANYTIME THEY WISH TO ON OnDemand. >> PEOPLE WERE SAYING THAT IT SHOULD BE PROMOTED. >> WE WILL BE BACK WITH A COUPLE OF MINUTES FOR TONIGHT'S GUESTS, SO PLEASE STAY WITH US. [THEME MUSIC] [THEME MUSIC] >> Father Pacwa: ALL RIGHT, WELCOME BACK. OUR GUEST TONIGHT IS A VERY FAMILIAR FACE TO OUR AUDIENCE, A GOOD FRIEND OF THE NETWORK AND A VERY GOOD FRIEND OF MINE. HE HAS WRITTEN COUNTLESS BOOKS ON FAITH, BUT HE IS A BRAND-NEW RELEASE AND IT IS THE FIRST COOKBOOK THAT HE HAS BEEN CONNECTED WITH. I DON'T EVER RECALL CONNECTING AND WAS ANY KIND OF COOKING. LET ALONE A WHOLE BOOK ABOUT IT. BUT WE WILL LET HIS WIFE AND THE REST OF THE HAHN FAMILY PASS JUDGMENT ON HIS ABILITY TO COOK. FORTUNATELY FOR ALL OF US, HE LEFT THE RECIPE AND COOKIE DOUGH MY COOKING TO A PROFESSIONAL, DAVID KAISER. DAVID KAISER GAVE THE RECIPE FOR THIS BOOK, BUT OUR GUEST IS A WONDERFULLY SIGNIFICANT ESSAYS TO THE BOOK CALLED "THE LENTEN COOKBOOK." TONIGHT WE ARE GOING TO PREPARE FOR LENT BY TALKING PRIMARILY ABOUT FASTING, WHAT IT DOES AND DOESN'T DO FOR US IN A SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL LIVES. AND THE REASONS WE CHANGE OUR THINKING ABOUT HOW WE APPROACH FOOD AND A NUMBER OTHER THINGS DURING THE 40 DAYS BEFORE EASTER. PLEASE WELCOME DR. SCOTT HAHN. SCOTT, HOW THEY HAVE AND YOU? >> I'M DOING VERY WELL. ESPECIALLY HERE IN OUR STUDIOS AT THE ST. PAUL CENTER. I DO MISS COMING DOWN TO VISIT, ESPECIALLY IN THE WINTERTIME. ICE STORMS, SLEET, SNOW DAYS, AND ALL OF THE REST. >> Father Pacwa: I SHOULDN'T TELL YOU THAT ON MONDAY A SAW MY FIRST JONQUIL IN FULL BLOOM. LIKE CICERO, WE WILL PASS OVER IN SILENCE, THE FLOWERING THAT IS GOING ON HERE. WELL, EVERYBODY'S WORRIED ABOUT GLOBAL WARMING. THIS IS A TASTE OF WHAT ITS PRODUCTION WILL LOOK LIKE. SO YOU HAVE THESE GREAT ESSAYS FOR A COOKBOOK. I HAVE NOT BEEN PART OF A COOKBOOK -- THIS IS NOT YOUR STRONGEST SUIT OF WRITING COOKBOOKS, AS IT? >> NO, LET ME ALLEVIATE EVERYONE'S ANXIETY. THERE ISN'T A SINGLE RECIPE IN THIS BOOK THAT COMES FROM ME. PEOPLE WOULD NOT SURVIVE THAT. KIMBERLY HAS GREAT RECIPES, BUT WE DON'T INCLUDE HERS. AS YOU MENTIONED, THIS FORMER SWISS GUARD, DAVID GEISSER. THEY'VE DONE A LOT OF GOOD FOR A LOT OF FAMILIES. I WAS REALLY PLEASED WHEN THEY APPROACHED ME ABOUT SUPPLY AND ESSAYS TO SUPPLEMENT THIS LENTEN COOKBOOK. I'VE HEARD SO MANY GOOD THINGS THAT I RECOGNIZE THAT WHEN I GOT THE INVITATION TO SUPPLY SOME ESSAYS THAT DEAL WITH LENT AND SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE, THIS IS SOMETHING I NEED AND MAYBE OTHERS WILL BENEFIT FROM IT AS WELL. >> Father Pacwa: JUST SO FOLKS NO, I HAVEN'T TRIED COOKING ANY OF THESE YET. BUT I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, THERE RECIPES LOOK FASCINATING. THEY REALLY, REALLY DO. THINGS LIKE COTTAGE CHEESE FOR TATA'S, WHICH IS AN OMELETTE WITH CUCUMBER RADISH DIP. THAT JUST SOUNDS ABSOLUTELY FASCINATING. WITH THE RIGHT VARIETY OF OTHERS. NOT TO MENTION THINGS LIKE OCTOPUS WITH VEGETABLE PUREE. I LIKE OCTOPUS, I REALLY DO. WHEN IT IS DONE RIGHT, IT IS REALLY GOOD. BUT THEN THERE ARE DESSERTS LIKE HOT CROSS BUNS. ALL OF THAT IS IN THERE SO YOU CAN HAVE A LENTEN AFFAIR THAT IS VERY DELICIOUS, BUT ALSO NOT WITH MEAT. IT IS MEATLESS MEALS THAT ARE HEALTHY, TASTY, AND FUN TO MAKE. BUT LIKE YOU SAID, YOU DID NOT DO THE RECIPES. YOU DID THE FIRST 60, 70 PAGES OF ESSAYS. AND YOUR ESSAYS WERE ALSO A REAL SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT. TALK ABOUT SOME ISSUES ON FASTING THAT ARE IN ABEYANCE IN UNITED STATES AND MUCH OF WESTERN EUROPE, PEOPLE ARE NOT FASTING. I HEAR PEOPLE SAY, I DON'T WANT TO GIVE UP ANYTHING FOR LENT. I WOULD RATHER DO SOMETHING POSITIVE. NOW, YOU HAVE SOME COMMENTS ON PEOPLE FASTING AND GIVING THINGS UP. WHY DON'T WE START WITH THAT. >> GOOD. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT LENT IS A TIME OF DISCIPLINE, BUT IT IS NOT SELF-DENIAL. WHEN WE LOOK AT WHAT TEACHES ABOUT PRAYER, HE ALSO ADDS FASTING. IT'S WHAT WE ARE GOING TO BE DOING INSTEAD AND GIVING ALMS. LIKEWISE, IN THE EARLY CHURCH, YOU FIND THAT SOMETIMES FASTING WAS DONE NOT ONLY TO MAKE PRAYER MORE SACRIFICIAL, BUT ALSO TO PROVIDE FOOD FOR OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE IN NEED. SO IT IS NEVER AN EITHER OR. BUT IT IS TIME FOR US AS CATHOLICS TO KIND OF REDISCOVER THE JOY OF LENT. IT IS INTERESTING THAT WHEN ST. BENEDICT PUT TOGETHER HIS RULE, THE ONLY TIME JOE IS MENTIONED IN THE WORLD OF ST. BENEDICT'S WHEN HE SPEAKS OF THE JOY OF LENT. NOW, WE REALLY ASSOCIATE LENT WITH A KIND OF DOWER -- WITH WHAT BEGINS WITH ASH WEDNESDAY. WHEN IN FACT, THERE IS A SENSE IN WHICH JESUS INDOORS AND UNDERGOES ALL OF THESE TRIALS FOR OUR SALVATION. IT'S NOT JUST ONE OF THE OTHER, THERE'S A CERTAIN RHYTHM TO FASTING AND THEN FEASTING. WE HAVE THAT IN ADVENT LEADING UP TO CHRISTMAS. OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE LENT LEADING UP TO OUR EASTER CELEBRATION. BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS TRUE FOR ALL CIVILIZATIONS, FOR ALL RELIGIONS. THE NEED THAT WE HAVE TO DISCIPLINE THE BODY AND ITS APPETITES. IT IS NOT THE SAME THING AS DIET AND EXERCISE SO YOU HAVE A SLIM FIGURE, BUT IT IS SOMETHING ESSENTIAL TO GROWING IN HUMAN VIRTUE. SO WE HAVE EXAMPLES THAT ARE NOT BIBLICAL, THAT ARE NOT JEWISH, THAT ARE NOT CHRISTIAN. ARISTOTLE SPEAKS ON THE BENEFITS AND GROWING IN VIRTUE, BUT WHAT WE HAVE IN THE WORD OF GOD IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK BECKONS US TO RECOGNIZE THAT IF WE ARE GOING TO IDENTIFY OURSELVES WITH, THAT IS GOING TO INCLUDE -- IT MIGHT NOT INCLUDE GOING ON TO THE DESERT TO FAST FOR 40 DAYS AND 40 NIGHTS LIKE OUR LORD DID, BUT MOSES DID THAT. YOU HAVE PAGANS LIKE THE KING OF MITT OF RECOGNIZING THE NEED TO EXPRESS REPENTANCE IN MORE THAN WORDS AND WARM FUZZY FEELINGS. THE FACT THAT HE CALLS AND BRINGS MERCY DOWN UPON HIS PEOPLE IS A SIGN FOR US THAT IF WE WANT OUR CULTURE TO UNDERGO CHANGE FOR THE BETTER, I THINK PRAYER NEEDS TO BE COUPLED WITH FASTING. GOING BACK TO THE FIRST THREE OR FOUR CENTURIES, IT WASN'T UNTIL 225 WHEN WE GET THE CREED, BUT WE ALSO COULD GET LENT. PUT IT WHAT IS HAPPENING THERE AS THE BISHOPS WERE RECOGNIZING THAT THERE WERE DIFFERENT DISCIPLINES, BUT GENERALLY SPEAKING THIS IS WIDESPREAD RECOGNITION THAT -- THE PHARISEES FASTED TWICE A WEEK, SO WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY WHEN JUDAS BETRAYS, WHEN JESUS DIES. THIS DISCIPLINE IS PART OF HOW THE CHURCH IS SPREADING AND HEALTHY FAITH IS LIFTED. BY 325, THIS BECOMES UNIVERSAL. SO THE ONLY QUESTION IS, WHEN DO WE CELEBRATE EASTER? AND OF COURSE, THAT IS WHAT WE SUPPLY WITH THE LETTERS ARE THAT WE SEND OUT AND HOW DO WE PREPARE FOR EASTER? THIS IS WHEN WE HAVE DISCIPLINES, ESPECIALLY ASH WEDNESDAY, FASTING, AND SO FORTH. WE ARE OFF TO THE RACES. IT'S TIME KNOWN THE 21ST CENTURY FOR US TO GET OVER THE POST CONCILIAR HANG UP PEOPLE HAVE. POPE PAUL THE SIXTH ISSUED THIS APOSTOLIC CONSTITUTION. HE WAS ADDRESSING THE FACT THAT PRIOR TO VATICAN II, THESE KINDS OF DISCIPLINES, FASTING AND ALL OF THAT, THESE WERE IMPOSED UPON THE LAYPEOPLE WHO HAD A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF DREAD. AND IT WAS LAW, SO IT WAS CONSIDERED AUTHORITARIAN OR LEGALISTIC. NOW IN THE SPIRIT OF VATICAN II AND IN AN EVANGELISTIC SORT OF WAY, WE WANT TO REDISCOVER THE JOY OF SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE. SO HE BASICALLY GAVE IT OVER TO THE EPISCOPAL AND THE FIRST WORLD, THIRD WORLD, AND LET THE DECIDE. HOW WAS THAT MESSAGE RECEIVED? BASICALLY WHAT, YOU CAN EAT MEAT ON FRIDAYS. AND PRACTICALLY ALL OF THESE LENTEN DISCIPLINES WERE SORT OF RELEASED. SO I THINK WHAT WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE IS THAT IF WE ACTUALLY SIT DOWN AND READ FROM PAUL THE SIXTH, THERE'S A WHOLE LOT OF WISDOM THERE. AND AT THE SAME TIME, IT IS SAYING, LET'S NOT DO THIS -- LET'S DO THIS OUT OF AN EVANGELICAL SPIRIT. BUT IT HAS TAKEN US 50 YEARS I THINK FOR US TO WAKE UP AND GO OKAY, IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE ARE ALL RELEASED FROM THE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES THAT WE NEED IF WE ARE GOING TO BECOME SAINTS. OLD TESTAMENT, NEW TESTAMENT, MEDIEVAL, THIS IS WHO WE ARE AS CHRISTIANS. >> Father Pacwa: ONE OF THE POINTS OF CHANGING THE DISCIPLINE WAS SOMETHING I ACTUALLY HEARD FROM SOME CATHOLICS BACK IN THOSE DAYS. THEY SAID WELL, IT'S FRIDAY COMING UP TO GIVE UP MEAT. SO I WILL GO HAVE LOBSTER. NO, THAT REALLY WASN'T THE TONE IN WHICH WE ARE SUPPOSED TO ABSTAIN FROM MEAT. TO HAVE A VERY LUXURIOUS MEAL OF LOBSTER. THERE WAS SOMETHING ABOUT ABSENCE. IN THIS COUNTRY, IT WAS LESS CLEAR THAN IN ENGLAND. BUT IN GREAT BRITAIN, IT IS UNDER PAIN OF MORTAL SIN THAT YOU MUST ABSTAIN FROM SOMETHING. NOW FOR SOME PEOPLE, IT MIGHT BE ABSTAINING FROM CIGARETTES. FOR THOSE WHO ARE SMOKERS, THAT CAN BE VERY, VERY DIFFICULT. THEY DIDN'T TELL YOU WHAT IT WAS YOU HAD TO ABSTAIN FROM. BUT YOU HAD TO DO SOME FORM OF ABSTINENCE EVERY FRIDAY, NOT JUST THE FRIDAYS IN LENT. THIS WAS SOMETHING MISSED IN THE MESSAGE HERE IN THE UNITED STATES. >> WHAT YOU SEE IS THE LOSS OF CATHOLIC IDENTITY EXPRESSED PUBLICLY, VISIBLY. AND MAYBE IT WAS BEFORE VATICAN II -- WE WON'T DEBATE THAT, WE CERTAINLY WON'T RESOLVE IT. BUT THE FACT IS, THERE IS A D EVANGELISM THAT OCCURS FROM MANY CATHOLICS THAT ARE SECULARIZED. FOR DECADES, WE'VE BEEN HEARING OF THE NEED. THIS IS A PROJECT I'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOR MANY YEARS, AND THIS -- BECAUSE WHEN YOU SEE YOUR CHURCH GROWING IN PAGAN CULTURES, AND PERSIA, YOU SEE A SUBCULTURE THAT IS GLOWING AND FLOURISHING THEN CONVERTING THEM IN A WAY THAT IS A SURPRISING. THEY SEE THE INCARNATION THAT SHOWS US THAT THERE IS A PHYSICAL SIDE TO BEING SPIRITUAL. IT IS NOT ALL OF THE SOUL. WE ARE NOT JUST ANGELS, WE HAVE BODIES. THERE IS A PHYSICAL SIDE TO BECOMING SAINTS, BUT WHEN YOU RECOGNIZE THAT FASTING MAGNIFIES THE POWER BY COUPLING IT WITH THIS PHYSICAL ACT OF FAITH, WHICH IS SELF-DENIAL, ABSTINENCE, FASTING AND THAT SORT OF THING. THERE IS AN INTENSIFICATION. EVEN THE GREEK PHILOSOPHER ARISTOTLE RECOGNIZED HOW ESSENTIAL FASTING WOULD BE NOT JUST TO KIND OF BE PHILOSOPHICAL ELITE, BUT JUST TO BE A PERSONAL VIRTUE. AGAIN, THIS IS DONE -- IT'S UNIVERSAL. BUT FOR US AS CHRISTIANS, IT REALLY MEANS LOOK, IF THE SON OF GOD IDENTIFIES HIMSELF WITH US, THAT OUR TRIALS, SUFFERINGS, AND OUR DEATH -- WE HAD TO BE HAPPY TO IDENTIFY OURSELVES WITH HIM THROUGH A VOLUNTARY STYLE OF NOTICE MODIFICATION IN ORDER TO CREATE THAT RHYTHM OF LIFE, THAT FAMILIES NEED. THAT IS FASTING BEFORE FEASTING. AS JESUS SAYS, YOU DON'T FAST WHILE THE BRIDEGROOM IS WITH YOU. THIS IS A RESPONSE TO THE PHARISEES WONDERING WHY YOU ARE NOT HAVING YOUR DISCIPLES FAST. IT IS A RATHER CRYPTIC RESPONSE TO A REALLY GOOD QUESTION. WHAT DO YOU MEAN WHY? WE KNOW THE MESSIAH IS GOING TO BE THE BRIDEGROOM AND CHRIST IS THERE. IN PREPARATION FOR THE MASS, WE FAST. IT MIGHT BE OVERNIGHT, IT MIGHT BE THREE HOURS, NOW AN HOUR BEFORE HOLY COMMUNION. WE DO NOT NEED TO BE MINIMALISTS IN TERMS OF OUR SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE. BUT WHEN WE GO TO MASS, WHEN WE RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION, WHO IS THAT? WELL, IT'S JESUS. WE ARE FEASTING SPIRITUALLY, BUT IN ORDER TO PREPARE TO REALLY APPRECIATE THAT, AND TO RECEIVE THE GRACE, FASTING IS SOMETHING APPROPRIATE. AND AS YOU SAID, EVERY FRIDAY, A FRIDAY WAS UNDERSTOOD TO BE A MINI LENT. SO ONE MEAL, PREFERABLY MIDDAY. THESE SORTS OF THINGS WERE MUCH MORE WIDESPREAD. AND I MUST ADMIT, MUCH MORE RIGOROUS BECAUSE IT WASN'T JUST WELL, WE DON'T HAVE MEAT ON NO, IT WAS -- THROUGHOUT THE EAST ON THE WEST IT WAS MEAT, IT WAS FISH, IT WAS ALSO MILK, DAIRY PRODUCTS, BUT IT WAS ALSO WINE AND A WIDER RANGE OF SELF-DENIAL THAT ENDS UP I THINK CREATING A MUCH MORE SERIOUS WAY OF LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. >> Father Pacwa: EVEN IN THE EASTERN CHURCH, YOU DON'T EAT ANY MILK PRODUCTS LIKE CHEESE AND YOGURT OR MILK. AND YOU DON'T EAT OIL, EVEN ALL OF. IT IS SOMETHING, AS YOU BRING UP IN YOUR ESSAYS, IT IS A DRY FAST THAT IS WITHOUT MEAT, WITHOUT OIL, WITHOUT MILK PRODUCTS. YOU CAN STILL GET PROTEIN FROM THINGS LIKE BEANS, LENTILS, VARIOUS LAGOONS. THAT IS ACCEPTED AND NORMAL. FOR INSTANCE, LEBANESE THROUGHOUT LENT -- A COMBINATION OF RICE AND LENTILS. SORT OF A SOUP OR STEW. AND PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE CHRISTIAN WORLD HAVE THESE SPECIAL RECIPES FOR THIS KIND OF SEASON. I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD OMIT ANOTHER ELEMENT, WHICH IS PEOPLE SAY WELL, WHY FAST FROM FOOD? THINK ABOUT THIS VERY IMPORTANT POINT. THE ORIGINAL SIN CAME THROUGH EATING. ADAM AND EVE ATE THE FRUIT OF THE TREE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL. THIS FASTING OUGHT TO BE SEEN AS AN UNDOING OF THAT. THAT IS WHY THINK THE PROPHET JOEL SAYS SO WELL IN JOEL CHAPTER TWO VERSE 12 AND 13, EVEN NOW SAYS THE LORD, RETURNED TO ME WITH ALL OF YOUR HEART. WITH FASTING, WITH WEEPING. AND IN THIS, IT IS THE UNDOING OF DEPARTING FROM THE LORD BY EATING THAT WHICH GOD HAD FORBIDDEN. SEEING THIS PART OF THIS UNDOING OF THE DISOBEDIENCE OF ADAM AND EVE. BY FASTING WHEN THEY SIN THROUGH EATING IS NOT A BAD PERSPECTIVE TO GAIN. >> THAT'S RIGHT. YOU GO BACK TO GENESIS AND DO YOU SEE OUR FIRST PARENTS TEMPTED AND THEY FALL. AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE DESCRIPTION OF THE FRUIT THAT WAS FORBIDDEN, IT IS DESCRIBED IN TERMS AS WELL IS THAT IT'S A DELIGHT TO THE EYES AND IT TASTES GOOD. LATER ON YOU HAVE IN 1 JOHN, TWO OF WHAT WE CALL -- IT SPEAKS ABOUT THIS BEING THE LOWEST OF THE FLESH AND THE PRIDE OF LIFE AS WELL AS THE ITEMS -- IT IS A POWER FOR US TODAY. WHEN YOU LOOK AT HOW BEGINS TO DO AFTER HIS BAPTISM HE GOES OUT INTO THE DESERT WHERE HE UNDERGOES THIS PERIOD. BUT HE ALSO UNDERGOES THESE TEMPTATIONS FROM THE DEVIL. THERE ARE THREE OF THEM, AND ALL THREE TIMES HE RESPONDS BY CITING SCRIPTURE WHICH IS TAKEN FROM DEUTERONOMY 6 THROUGH EIGHT.% THAT IS WHERE MOSES HAD TO CORRECT THE ISRAELITES. MAN DOESN'T LIVE BY BREAD ALONE. IT HAS TO DO WITH EATING AND FASTING. YOU WORSHIP HIM ALONE, THAT GOLDEN CALF YOU MADE. LIKEWISE YOU DON'T PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST, ESPECIALLY IF HE IS TESTING YOU. SO JESUS IN THOSE THREE RESPONSES IS BASICALLY TALKING ABOUT ORIGINAL SIN AT ITS SOURCE. WE DON'T HAVE TO GET INTO THE MYSTERIES OF MORAL AND SACRED THEOLOGY TO RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS SIGNIFIED COMMON SENSE. WE ALL KNOW THAT WHEN WE ARE SERIOUSLY IN LOVE, WE MAKE SACRIFICES. AND IF WE WANT TO GROW A RELATIONSHIP, WE DO THAT KIND OF THING. IF WE WANT TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE, SELF-DENIAL IS THE PROOF THAT LOVE IS MORE THAN WORDS AND WARM FUZZY FEELINGS. I REMEMBER OVER 20 YEARS AGO, I WON'T GO INTO THE DETAILS FOR THE SAKE OF DISCUSSION, BUT WE HAD A SIGNIFICANT FAMILY CRISIS. ONE OF MY OWN KIDS WAS FACING SOMETHING THAT WE'VE HAD THROUGHOUT THE GENERATIONS IN TERMS OF DEPRESSION. AN INTERGENERATIONAL BURDEN. AND I HAD FASTED ACCORDING TO THE CHURCH'S LAW BEFORE AND I DONE SOME LITTLE THINGS BESIDES, BUT THEN WITH HIS PERMISSION, EMBARKED UPON SOMETHING THAT LASTED FROM LENT, BUT THEM FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR, I CONTINUED THIS SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE. AND AFTER ABOUT A YEAR OR SO, WE SAW SOMETHING THAT COULD RIGHTLY BE DESCRIBED AS PRACTICALLY MIRACULOUS. BUT ALSO IN THE BODY OF MY BELOVED CHILD. I HAVE CONTINUED THAT WITH THE COUNTING OF GREAT SPIRITUAL DIRECTORS. I WOULD SAY THAT I WAS SURPRISED AT HOW MUCH GRACE WAS RELEASED IN MY OWN FAMILY, BUT ALSO IN MY LIFE. THE 20 YEARS LATER, I STILL NOW CARRY OUT A LOT OF WHAT I LEARNED TO DO BACK THEN. AND I SENSE THAT THERE ARE STILL ONGOING SPIRITUAL BENEFITS, BUT EVERY YEAR I RECOGNIZE THE NEED TO REPLENISH. TAKING A SMALLER PORTION, LETTING SOMEONE ELSE HAVE SECONDS. THOSE MINOR MODIFICATIONS, BUT AS WE PREPARE FOR LENT, WE RECOGNIZE THAT THIS REALLY IS THE WAY THAT WE ENTER MORE POWERFULLY INTO THE MYSTERY. AND I REALLY SENSE THAT WE ARE FACING A CULTURE THAT IS WOKE, THAT IS TRYING TO CANCEL THE CATHOLIC FAITH, AND THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE. IT IS THE WAY THAT WE JOYFULLY LIVE OUT THE FASTING AND THE FEASTING IN A WAY THAT SETS INTO MOTION GRACE. A COUNTERFORCE THAT WILL REALLY TAKE OUT, NOT ONLY IN MY HEART, BUT ALSO IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND IN THE WORLD. >> Father Pacwa: LET'S PAUSE THERE. WE HAVE TO TAKE A LITTLE BREAK. WE WILL COME BACK AND PICK UP A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THIS. ESPECIALLY IN TERMS OF THE HISTORY. BECAUSE YOU SPEND TIME GOING BACK TO THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. SO LET'S COME BACK TO SOME OF THAT IN JUST A COUPLE OF MINUTES. [THEME MUSIC] [THEME MUSIC] >> Father Pacwa: ALL RIGHT. WE ARE DISCUSSING A BOOK CALLED "THE LENTEN COOKBOOK." AND THE CHEF WHO CAME UP WITH THE RECIPES IS DAVID GEISSER WHO USED TO BE A SWISS GUARD AND HAS WRITTEN A COUPLE OF OTHER VERY FINE BEST-SELLING COOKBOOKS. BUT THERE ESSAYS BY OUR OWN FRIEND, SCOTT HAHN. THERE ARE ABOUT 75 NEW VERY INTERNATIONAL LENTEN THEMED RECIPES TO USE. AS A MATTER OF FACT, I WAS JUST LOOKING AGAIN. I'M PRETTY SURE I'M GOING TO COOK SOME OF THESE POTATO PANCAKES. THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MY MOM WOULD MAKE. BUT ALSO, THE ESSAYS BY SCOTT HAHN TELL A LOT ABOUT THE HISTORY AND MEANING OF FASTING. THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE AT EWTN RC.COM. AND IT IS ITEM NUMBER 4696. 4696. SO I RECOMMEND IT. THE OTHER ONE I WANTED TO TRY IS THE GINGER SOUP. I LIKE GINGER, IT IS GOOD FOR ARTHRITIS. SO I WANT TO TRY THAT. NOW SCOTT, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU BRING UP IN YOUR ESSAYS IS THAT FASTING WAS NOT SOME MEDIEVAL INVENTION. THIS IS MENTIONED AS EARLY AS THE FIRST CENTURY. NOT ONLY IN THE GOSPEL, BUT ALSO IN BOOKS LIKE -- FIRST, WHAT IS THAT? >> LET ME BACK UP AND POINT OUT THE OBVIOUS. THAT IS AT THE HEART OF JESUS MOST FAMOUS, MATTHEW 5, 6, AND 7, YOU HAVE THE INSTRUCTION IN CHAPTER SIX WHICH IS ABOUT ALMSGIVING, PRAYER, AND FASTING. SO IT'S NOT IF YOU FAST, IT IS WHEN YOU FAST. IT IS NOT IF, AND WHEN, AND HOW YOU DO THAT AS WELL AS PRAYER. PICKING UP RIGHT WHERE THE OLD TESTAMENT LEFT OFF, YOU CAN SEE IN JONAH THREE, YOU CAN ALSO FIND THAT EZRA -- THIS WAS A REAL ESSENTIAL PART ON WHAT IT MEANT TO RENEW OUR COVENANT. ONE OF THE EARLIEST DOCUMENTS WE HAVE FROM THE FIRST CENTURY, SOME DATA TO THE 60s, OTHERS TO THE 90s. REGARDLESS. WHAT IS SO INTERESTING THAT IS IN THIS FIRST PARAGRAPH, YOU HAVE THIS INSTRUCTION THAT IS ECHOING JESUS. ON THE ONE HAND, BLESS THOSE WHO CURSE YOU AND PRAY FOR YOUR ENEMIES, BUT THE THIRD INJUNCTION IS STARTLING. FAST FOR THOSE WHO PERSECUTE YO YOU. I FIND IT'S EASY TO FAST FOR MY FAMILY MEMBERS, MAY BE MY PARISH FOR CULTURAL RENEWAL IN THE CHURCH, BUT FOR THOSE WHO PERSECUTE US? IT GOES BEYOND WHAT SAINT DOES IN FORGIVING WHEN HE IS GETTING STONED. HE SETS INTO MOTION THROUGH HIS OWN DISCIPLINE AND SUFFERING THE REDEMPTIVE GRACES THAT WOULD BRING ABOUT THE CONVERSION OF SAUL AND OTHERS TOO. IT IS SIMPLY REMINDING THE READERS OF WHAT CHRISTIANS HAVE BEEN DOING SINCE THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF. JESUS. OVER THE COURSE OF THE CENTURIES, YOU SEE IN THE EAST WITH THE GREEKS AND ALSO WITH THE WEST WITH THE LATINS, YOU SEE THIS WIDESPREAD ACCEPTANCE OF FASTING AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK, BUT ALSO APPROACHING LENT WITH A CERTAIN AUSTERITY. THE BOOK OF FASTING THAT I CITE, YOU SEE A DIVERSITY OR VARIETY OF DISCIPLINES, BUT YOU ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT THERE IS GROWING UNITY. BUT BY OUR STANDARDS TODAY, YOU WOULD LOOK AND SAY, IN THE EARLY LATIN CHURCH ALL THE FAITHFUL, CLERGY AND LAY PEOPLE, FASTED. BUT WHEN YOU COMPARE THEIR DISCIPLINES TO OURS FOR APPROXIMATELY 40 DAYS, THEY ATE ONE MEAL A DAY AND AFTER VESPERS AND BY COMPARISON WITH US, IT IS SERIOUS, AUSTERE, AND DEMANDING. WE DON'T WANT RELIGION LIKE THAT. AND YET AT THE SAME TIME, THE GREAT SOCIOLOGIST POINTS OUT THAT THE MORE DEMANDING RELIGION IS, NOT ONLY DOES IT EXPAND, IT GROWS AND EXPLODES. PEOPLE HAVE THIS GUT SENSE THAT IF I'M GOING TO BELIEVE IN GOD AND THINK ABOUT THE NEXT LIFE AND LIVE MY LIFE HERE AND NOW FOR THAT, THEN IN A CERTAIN SENSE, NO PAIN, NO GAIN. NOT BECAUSE WE ARE PRACTICING SPIRITUAL MASOCHISM, BUT BECAUSE WE RECOGNIZE THAT THE RHYTHM OF LIFE IN THE NATURAL ORDER CORRESPONDS WITH THE SUPERNATURAL ORDER, NO CROSS NO CROWN. SO IF WE ARE GOING TO RECOGNIZE THAT DID SUFFER AND DIE TO EXEMPT US FROM SUFFERING AND DEATH, RATHER HE SUFFERED AND DIED TO ENDOW OUR MEAGER SUFFERING WITH A REDEMPTIVE VALUE THAN THE COMMON CURRENCY OF THIS ECONOMY OF GRACE IS NOT JUST WARM FUZZY FEELINGS WE HAVE AFTER A HOME ONLY, IT REALLY IS THE KIND OF SUFFERING THAT WE EMBRACE THAT CAN BE VOLUNTARY, SUCH AS LENT AND DISCIPLINE, AND IT CAN BE INVOLUNTARY, SUCH AS THE SUFFERINGS WE ARE ALL GOING TO FACE SINCE DEATH COMES TO EVERYONE. IN THE GRAND SWEEP OF WHAT WE FIND IN THE GOSPEL, IN THE EARLY CHURCH, WE RECOGNIZE THAT IT IS WHAT IT MEANS TO BECOME A SAINT. IF YOU WANT TO SKIP OVER THIS WELL, I'VE GOT BAD NEWS FOR YOU. AGAIN, NO PAIN, NO GAIN. NO CROSS, NO CROWN. IT IS THE REALITY THAT WE ALL ARE CALLED TO BECAUSE LET'S FACE IT, THE MORTALITY RATE IS STILL 100% WHETHER IT'S COVERT OR SOMETHING ELSE, NONE OF US ARE GOING TO GET OUT OF HERE ALIVE. WE ARE ALL HAVE TO SUFFER, WE ALL FACE ILLNESS, WE ALL FACE DEATH. THE CROSS DIDN'T EXEMPT US, RATHER IT ENDOWS ALL OF THAT WITH A FORM OF GRACE. ESPECIALLY WHEN WE DO UNDERTAKE IT VOLUNTARILY, NOT JUST TO LOSE WEIGHT AS A SPIRITUAL DIET, GETTING YOUR FIGURE READY FOR A BATHING SUIT. NO, IT IS A MATTER OF THE HEART. AND IF WE GET THAT RIGHT, IT IS GOING TO ALSO LEAD TO PHYSICAL HYGIENE AND GOOD HEALTH. IN A CERTAIN SENSE, THE TAIL DOESN'T WAG THE DOG. IF WE PUT THE SPIRIT OVER THE MATERIAL, WE ARE NOT PINNING THE SOUL AGAINST THE BODY. WE RECOGNIZE THAT THERE IS A HIERARCHY. SO IF THE SALT IS GOING TO PRACTICE PRAYER, THE BODY HAS TO DISCOVER THAT THERE'S A PHYSICAL SIDE TO BEING SPIRITUAL. AS A PHYSICAL SIDE TO PRAYER. THAT KIND OF SACRIFICE IS WHAT WE DO ALONE. IT IS WHAT WE DO IN MASS. WE BOW, WE KNEEL, WE STAND, WHATEVER. WE JUST HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT OUR CULTURE HAS BEEN INFLUENCED, I MIGHT SAY INFECTED BY A KIND OF DUALISM THAT BASICALLY LEADS EVEN CATHOLICS TO SAY IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER WHAT I DO WITH MY BODY BECAUSE I'M SPIRITUAL. I DON'T NEED TO BE ALL OF THESE OTHER THINGS. WE ARE NOT ANGELS, WE ARE NOT JUST ANIMALS, WE ARE WHAT THEY CALL A COMPOSITE, A COMPOUND, ... THE SOUL THAT IS IMMORTAL, THE BODY THAT IS MORTAL, AND THEN WE CAN SEE IN THE INCARNATION WHILE MATT, ALL OF THIS HAS BEEN TAKEN TO AN ENTIRELY NEW LEVEL. BUT IT IS ONE WE'VE GOT TO LIVE OUT. ON A DAILY BASIS, BUT ALSO EVERY YEAR AND THROUGHOUT THE SEASONS. THEY SET INTO MOTION -- I HAD THIS SECTION ON THE GOLDEN AGE. AND AGAIN, THIS QUOTE FROM ST. THOMAS,.FAST EVERYONE IS BOUND BY THE NATURAL DICTATE OF REASON TO PRACTICE FASTING AS FAR AS IT IS NECESSARY FOR THESE PURPOSES. AND WE COULD GO ON. ALL THE WAY TO THE MEDIEVAL AND MODERN. IT REALLY IS TIME FOR US TO NOT BE ASHAMED OR EMBARRASSED OR AFRAID, BUT TO REALLY DO A JOYFUL RE-APPROPRIATION OF THE DISCIPLINES OF OUR TRADITION. AND THEN I THINK WE WILL SET INTO MOTION THE COUNTER FORCES THAT ARE GOING TO DO YOU SECULARIZE A CULTURE THAT IS ON THE BRINK. BUT I GO ON. >> Father Pacwa: TODAY IS THE FEAST -- THE HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION. BECAUSE THE FEAST OF SAINT MARION, THE FOUNDER, THE FATHER OF THE MARONITE RITE. AND WHAT WAS KEY TO HIS LIFE WAS THAT AS CHRISTIANITY WAS LEGALIZED IN THE ROMAN EMPIRE IN 313 IT BECAME EASIER TO BE A CHRISTIAN. AND FOR THE RESPONSE A LOT OF CHRISTIANS WAS TO GO OUT INTO THE WILDERNESS AS HE DID TO LIVE A LIFE OF FASTING AND PRAYER IT WASN'T JUST FASTING, IT WAS FASTING AND PRAYER. HE ATTRACTED MANY DISCIPLES. AND IN THEIR FASTING AND PRAYER, THEY ARE GREAT DISCIPLINE, THEY BEGAN TO EVANGELIZE THE LAST WORSHIPERS IN THE MOUNTAINS OF LEBANON AND SYRIA. THEY CHRISTIANS THAT WERE COMFORTABLE IN THE BIG CITIES AND LIVE IN FAIRLY LUXURIOUSLY WERE NOT ABLE TO REACH OUT TO THESE PAGANS, BUT THAT THOSE WHO FASTED VERY SERIOUSLY HAD GONE OUT AND WERE VERY SUCCESSFUL IN WINNING THEM OVER TO CHRIST. I THINK THAT THAT IS PARTLY WHAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT IN OUR OWN TIMES. >> I THINK YOU ARE EXACTLY RIGHT. AND PROFOUNDLY SO. FASTING HAS ALWAYS BEEN RECOGNIZED AND PRACTICED AS AN ESSENTIAL WEAPON IN THE SPIRITUAL ARSON OF WHAT WE NEED TO CONDUCT SPIRITUAL WARFARE. AND AGAIN, TAKE IT BEYOND THE REALM OF RHETORIC. AND TO RECOGNIZE THAT SELF ANNUNCIATION MEANS OKAY, WE ARE NOT JUST GOING TO SATISFY ALL OF OUR BODILY APPETITES. WE ARE GOING TO SUBDUE THE FLESH BY THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT. WE ARE GOING TO BECOME MORE AWARE OF OUR WEAKNESS. WE ARE GOING TO BECOME MORE AWARE OF OUR NEED FOR GOD'S GRACE. WE ARE NOT ONLY GOING TO GET CLOSER TO GOD, BUT WE ARE GOING TO GET OTHER PEOPLE CLOSER TO GOD. I REMEMBER READING THE LIFE OF ANTHONY. HERE'S ST. ANTHONY IN THE DESERT. IT IS THE SPIRITUAL FATHER OF NOT ONLY THE HERMITS, BUT PRACTICALLY SPEAKING, WHAT SHE EXPERIENCED WAS THIS UNEXPECTED TRIUMPH, BUT HE ATTRIBUTES THAT TO FASTING, PRAYER, AND DISCIPLINES OF ST. ANTHONY AND THESE OTHER HERMITS. THE LEGENDS, THE STORIES ARE THAT HE WAS FIGHTING THE DEVIL. HE WAS THROWN AROUND THE CAVE. AND HIS SUFFERINGS GAINED FROM US NOT SOMETHING THAT HE DOESN'T ADD, HE DOESN'T SUBTRACT, NO, IS LIVING HIS LIFE OUT IN THE MEMBERS OF THIS MYSTICAL BODY. BUT IN ANTHONY, THEY'RE IN THE DESERT, IN THE CAVE, HE IS DEFEATING THE DEVIL SO THAT THE CHURCH CAN ADVANCE AND OVERCOME THE HERESY OF ARIANISM. THIS IS TRUE IN EVERY AGE, EVEN WHEN MANY OF THESE PEOPLE HAVEN'T HAD LIVES WRITTEN ABOUT THEM LIKE THEY DID ABOUT ANTHONY, BUT GOD KNOWS. HEAVEN IS HEARING THE PRAYERS, FASTING, AND SENDING US GRACE WHETHER IT WE KNOW THE SOURCE OR NOT. I RECOGNIZE THAT I HAVE MY LIMITATIONS. IN MY MID-60s ESPECIALLY. SO WHEN I APPROACH LINES, I RECOGNIZE OKAY, THE CHURCH IS LAW ABOUT ABSTINENCE IS FROM THE AGE OF 14 UNTIL DEATH. THE LAW FASTING IS FROM 21 I THINK UNTIL THE AGE OF 59. >> Father Pacwa: IT IS 14. >> YES. WE LET OUR KIDS DO IT WHEN THEY ARE EIGHT, NINE, TEN. AND WHEN I'M IN MY 60s, WE WILL CONTINUE DOING THAT. WE NEED TO DRAW THE GRACE OF GOD DOWN, WE ALSO NEED TO SUBDUE THE APPETITIES, LEARN FROM THE EXAMPLE THAT OTHERS CAN LEARN FROM AND LEARN FROM THE EXAMPLE OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE US THAT HAVE BECOME SAINTS. WE NEED TO ENTER INTO THE SEASON SUCH AS ADVENT, LENT AND BRACING THE PENITENTIAL ASPECT. YOU KNOW, AGAIN, I POINT OUT THAT ST. BENEDICT SPEAKS OF THE JOY OF LENT, BUT THERE'S ALSO THIS JOY THAT WAS REDISCOVERED IN SECULAR AMERICA. I ENJOY TELLING THE STORY OF THE JET SET HIGH SOCIETY ST. LOUIS HOSTESS, PROBABLY A MILLIONAIRE IN THE 20s. THEN SHE WAS WIDOWED IN 1930 AND SHE WRITES THIS BOOK THAT WE ALL KNOW ABOUT, BUT IT WAS A COMPLETE EXPERIMENT. IT WAS CALLED THE JOY OF COOKING. 90 YEARS LATER, IT SOLD 18 MILLION COPIES, IT'S GONE THROUGH NINE ADDITIONS. BUT WHAT SHE DID WAS BUILD A BRIDGE BETWEEN THE HIGH SOCIETY HOSTESSES WHO WOULD PROVIDE THESE BANQUETS TO ORDINARY AMERICANS WHO NEVER REALLY KNEW WHAT IT COULD BE LIKE. BUT I THINK THERE IS A SENSE IN WHICH PRIOR TO THAT, GOING BACK THROUGH THE CENTURIES, WE ASSOCIATE WITH AUSTERITY OF FASTING, ABSTINENCE WITH THE MONKS, THE CLERGY. BUT IN FACT, CLERGY AND LAITY BACK THEN AND NOW, WE NEED TO ENTER INTO THESE SORTS OF THINGS. SO AS THE JOY OF COOKING MADE AVAILABLE WHAT USED TO ONLY BE FOR THE ELITE, I THINK WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT ORDINARY CATHOLICS, MEN AND WOMEN, HUSBANDS AND WIVES, FATHERS, MOTHERS, NEIGHBORS. WE NEED TO WAKE UP AND RESPOND TO THE UNIVERSAL CALL TO HOLINESS THAT WE HEARD IN VATICAN II. BUT IT WASN'T LIKE VATICAN II TOLD US SOMETHING NEW. I THINK THERE WAS WHO SAID BE PERFECT AS YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN IS PERFECT. BE MERCIFUL, AND LIKEWISE LEVITICUS SAID BE HOLY. THESE AREN'T OPTIONS, THESE ARE NOT FOR THE ELITE. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY WE CAN PASS FROM THIS LIFE INTO ETERNAL GLORY. SO LET'S GET WITH THE PROGRAM. >> Father Pacwa: I THINK THIS IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR DISCIPLINE. AND FRANKLY IT STANDS IN REALLY GREAT CONTRAST TO THE WORLD. WHEN I WATCH THE NEWS, I SEE DOZENS OF COMMERCIALS OF HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT WITHOUT EVER BEING HUNGRY. THIS IS ONE OF THE THEMES IN THIS OVERWEIGHT SOCIETY. AND THEN ANOTHER COMPENSATION THAT IS TAKING PLACE IS NOW THAT THERE IS VERY WIDESPREAD OBESITY. AND SOMETIMES MORBID OBESITY THROUGHOUT THE CULTURE INSTEAD OF CALLING PEOPLE AT A TIME WHEN THIS EPIDEMIC IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS TO PEOPLE WHO ARE OVERWEIGHT. NOW BEING OVERWEIGHT IS SOMETHING THAT IS BEING MORE CELEBRATED. YOU SAY THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT THE UNWILLINGNESS TO EXPERIENCE PAIN. THE UNWILLINGNESS TO GIVE UP ANYTHING. THE UNWILLINGNESS TO ABSTAIN AND CONTROL OUR APPETITE. THE WILLINGNESS TO EAT THINGS THAT ARE EASY TO GET, BUT BAD FOR US. WE ARE BEING CALLED TO BE AN ANTIDOTE TO THESE CULTURAL MESSAGES. AGAIN, NOT SO THAT WE LOOK FOR IN SO WE CAN PUT ON NICE SWIMMING SUITS AT THE BEACH, WHO CARES? THE ISSUE IS THAT WE ARE BRINGING DISCIPLINE AND SELF-CONTROL TO OUR LIVES AS WELL AS NOT GETTING IN TO THE KIND OF GLUTTONY THAT IS NOW PART OF CULTURE. THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO IDENTIFY AS "FOODIES." BUT IN ANOTHER TIME, THEY MAY HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS GLUTTONS. THAT IS ONE OF THE CAPITAL SINS. WE ARE BEING CALLED TO AN ANTIDOTE TO A LOT OF ELEMENTS OF OUR SOCIETY. AND TO STAND UP AGAINST THEM. >> WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE WHAT HE LEARNED THE HARD WAY. THAT IS MORE OF BONDAGE IS THE PRELUDE TO PHYSICAL SLAVERY. THAT THE CHAINS OF OUR OWN SLAVERY ARE FORGED IN THE BONDS OF OUR PASSIONS TO WHICH WE SUB CALM. AND INDULGE OURSELVES. SELF-DISCIPLINE, SELF-DENIAL THAT IS PERIODIC, THERE'S A REGULARITY TO IT. IT IS VOLUNTARY, SO IT IS SELF-IMPOSED. BUT IT ALSO IS DELIBERATE FOR THE SOUL, FOR THE SPIRIT, FOR GOD, FOR CONFORMING OUR LIVES TO. AGAIN, WE CANNOT FIGHT A WAR ON TWO, THREE, OR 20 FRONTS. THAT IS WHAT WE ARE FACING TODAY. WE REALLY HAVE TO BEGIN THE WAR WITHIN. AND IT STARTS WITH THE FLESH. YOU MENTIONED EARLIER, FASTING FROM SMOKING CIGARETTES. I HAVE ONE OF OUR SIX KIDS WHO HAS DONE THAT AND FINALLY OVERCOME SMOKING. BUT IT MIGHT BE THE INTERNET. IT MIGHT BE TELEVISION. IT MIGHT BE ANY ONE OF A NUMBER OF LUXURIES THAT ARE LICIT, BUT DANGEROUS FOR US PERSONALLY. ONCE AGAIN WE RECOGNIZE THAT RELIGION IS NOT SOMETHING DONE EXCLUSIVELY BY OURSELVES PRIVATELY. WE ARE SOCIAL ANIMALS. IT IS DONE PUBLICLY. WE DISCOVER THAT WHEN WE DO THESE DISCIPLINES, WHEN WE EXERCISE SELF-RESTRAINT, IT IS SELF-IMPOSED, BUT IT IS VOLUNTARY AND FOR THE PURPOSE OF SPIRITUAL LIFE. WE ARE GOING TO RADIATE GRACE OUT TO OTHER PEOPLE. WE MAY END UP DISCOVERING THAT THE VERY DESIRE TO DO IT OURSELVES PROBABLY CAME FROM OTHER PEOPLE WHO WERE PRAYING AND FASTING FOR US. BUT WHEN THEY DECLARE THAT THEY BLESS THOSE WHO CURSE US AND PRAY FOR OUR ENEMIES, WOULD BE FAST FOR THOSE WHO PERSECUTE US, THAT GIVES US AN ANSWER TO THE QUESTION OF, HOW IN THE EARLY CHURCH TO THE CHRISTIAN FAITH CONQUER THE ROMAN EMPIRE? TALK ABOUT A CULTURE OF DEATH. IT WAS DECADENT, IT WAS SELF-INDULGENT. THEY WERE ALL KINDS OF MORAL AND OTHER IMPURITIES, BUT THE LIGHT SHINES IN THE DARKNESS AND THE DARKNESS HAS NOT OVERCOME IT. WE CAN LIGHT THE LIGHT SHINE. GET IT BEYOND THE SOCIAL MEDIA, GET IT BEYOND THE COMMENT BOXES ON FACEBOOK, GET IT BEYOND TWITTER, GET IT BEYOND TV, GET IT BEYOND TALK. REALLY PUT YOUR FAITH INTO PRACTICE. I THINK THE ACTIONS OF FASTING AND ABSTINENCE WILL SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS. >> ONE OF THOSE THINGS WE HAVE TO DO IS START FASTING FROM OUR CONVERSATION, BECAUSE WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME. [LAUGHS] >> ALAS. AGAIN, IT IS CALLED "THE LENTEN COOKBOOK" BY DAVID GEISSER WITH ESSAYS BY SCOTT HAHN. YOU CAN GET THIS AT EWTNRC.com . IT IS ITEM NUMBER 4696. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US, SCOTT. MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU AND ALL OF OUR VIEWERS. THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SUN, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT. AGAIN, YOU CAN BE HERE AND ALL THE OTHER SHOWS CAN BE HERE BECAUSE YOU VIEWERS MAKE IT POSSIBLE. KEEP US IN BETWEEN YOUR CABLE BILL AND WE WILL PAY OUR BILLS TOO. THANK YOU. [THEME MUSIC]
