We Weren't Spiritually Prepared **warning**this might disturb you

So the Supreme Court upheld Obamacare.
Prior to the decision the US Bishops called for fasting and prayer.
It was way too little and way too late.

The reality is--The Roman Catholic Church is not spiritually prepared to do the battles.

Their spiritual balance is off.

We have forgotten fasting and prayer and confession.
Somehow during the past 30 years we focused on social justice issues and policy--to the point where the spiritual balance was upset.  Instead of peace marches and sit-ins complementing spiritual and religious practices, they replaced confessional lines and Friday fasts and daily Mass.

Just last week I heard a homily where the aging priest listed what he decided were prophets of his time.  And then he likened them to St. John the Baptist--yep the cousin of Jesus Christ the Messiah.  I must have heard a homily like that once or twice a year for the past 40 years.  I even preached homilies like that (my belated apologies to those congregations).
The balance is so off that even our language has become nothing more than politically correct crap which skirts the real issues and has the potential to confuse the congregation.  When the preacher discussed recent church scandals he avoided the use of words like; evil, demonic, and satan.

We don't even use the language that clearly describes right from wrong. How can we even be expected to awaken ancient spiritual practices?

So when the Bishops called for fasting and prayer they were expecting the clergy and people to practice something that isn't even preached--I wonder how many clergy and laity really did fast--yes physically fast.  I wonder how many Roman Catholic Church's offered an evening prayer service or conducted novenas. 


The Bishops expected the people to do something that hasn't been promoted, practiced, or preached for years.


"Only by fasting and prayer can these demons be expelled."
-Jesus Christ.

Getting Ready

At this time last year (when I was the oldest youth minister in the diocese) my wife suggested that I have the group do a communal fast during Lent.
After all they knew the basics of the program--prayer, fasting, scripture, Holy Eucharist, and confession.
And all had been introduced to them except fasting.  
All they really knew was that I would complain when I was doing it because I am the world's worst faster.

This was real fasting.  Not that one full meal and two small supplemental meal stuff that is preached.
This was bread and water for 24 hours.
Not only was fasting going to be a cultural contradiction for them but it was also an ecclesial contradiciton.
Just listen to the preaching going on in two days on Ash Wednesday--take note how many will actually espouse fasting on bread and water.  When I was a young priest I never fasted.

Anyways, the kids signed up, and the Holy Spirit took over.  Before they knew it they were giving retreats and growing in numbers.
It was phenomenal. 
I wonder if they will fast again this year.
Sometimes fasting has immediate recognizable spiritual results.

And then at other times--it is more about patient perseverence.

"And he said to them: This kind can go out by nothing, but by prayer and fasting." Mk. 9:28.

Jesus is pretty clear.  You got a demon?  Then do battle.  Pray, fast and then go to confession.  And then pray and fast some more--actually do it forever.
It will change your life.