It's Time To Monk Up

" To deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. " - 1 Corinthians 5:5

When it came time for God to cast His judgement upon Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham pleaded with Him to spare the city, if fifty just men were in the city. Abraham bargained all the way down to ten men. Ten men. all that was necessary to quell God's anger against an entire city crying out against God with the filth of the most grievous sins. You do not need a child's imagination to draw the parallels from that story to the state of Catholicism today. We need to be those ten just men.

How many of Christ's followers are listening to His words "But this kind is not cast out but by prayer and fasting", (Matt. 17:20) when asked by His disciples why they could not expel a certain demon? This isn't Jesus speaking in hyperbole here folks. Faith must be paramount, yes, but we must show our faith by prayer and fasting. And who better to look to for guidance than Catholic Monks, who have spent centuries upon centuries mastering these precepts commanded by Our Lord.

What is Prayer and Fasting?

Let's define our terms. Prayer, according to the Baltimore Catechism, is the lifting up of our minds and hearts to God, to adore Him, to thank Him for His benefits, to ask His forgiveness, and to beg of Him all the graces we need whether for soul or body.

There are many definitions for fasting, such as in the broad sense of "fasting from sin" to the very legalistic definition presented in Canon Law. But today a simple definition linking fasting with penance should be suitable. Penance – sacrificing good things for better things.

What makes our modern age unique among the annals of history is the exponential advancement made in technology, and how that has made us "soft". Do not misunderstand me - advances in technology, scientific progress, are not intrinsically evil. In fact they are very good, allowing for a deeper understanding of God's creation, an opportunity to positively impact more people, and in turn developing a greater love for our Creator. But with greater convenience comes more idle time, and more idleness is the devil's workshop. It is a double-edged sword - the advancements of humanity. With God, it is a blessing and glorification of the gifts God has given us. Without God, it is just the tower of Babel all over again. We know how that turned out.

Taking a Page from the Ancients

Below is a list of penances that have been practiced by religious orders (and laity) since time immemorial. Much of these have been lost in the ushering in of modernism and "enlightenment", but there are still faithful Catholics who follow them today, such as the Franciscans of the Primitive Observance. It is our turn to support these holy men, put on the gloves, and go a few rounds with the devil. These practices are hard. But we aren't Catholics because we thought we'd get off easy. We are Catholics because we embrace our cross, our sign of contradiction, and crucify our passions together with our Lord's ultimate Passion.

---

1. Sleep on the floor

2. Take cold showers

3. "Monastic fast" - Fasting from Sept. 15 through Easter

4. From St. Francis - All the friars are to fast from the feast of All Saints until Christmas. Those who voluntarily fast for forty days after Epiphany have God's blessing, because this is the period our Lord sanctified by his holy fast (Mt. 4:2).

5. Walk barefoot

6. upgrade your regular fast to just bread & water

7. Say all mysteries of the rosary everyday

8. Say the rosary with your arms out (like a cross)

9. Swap your smartphone our for a flip phone

10. Wake up at 3 AM to say prayers, go back to bed

---

One thing to keep in mind if you decide to take up any of these penances is to not turn into a pharisee. Do not let the optional exclude you from the mandatory. These penances are great for kickstarting humility, but be wary of the false humility lying in wait. Always talk to your spiritual director or confessor before undertaking some austere mortification. May God bless you.