We're a couple of weeks into Lent 2015 now, and today Cardinal Dolan was featured in a Twitter clip saying that the Catholic bishops might want to consider returning to the old rule of abstinence from meat on all Fridays, not just those during Lent. Pope Francis has already made a comment about not using Lenten Fridays as an excuse for a grand seafood fest. As it's been pointed out, many Catholics seem much more focused on the formalities of "giving up something for Lent" and forget about the reasons behind them.
When it comes to "giving up something," because of my severe hemochromatosis I've already had to mostly give up red meat, I can't have any alcohol, I can't have caffeinated drinks, I can't digest chocolate much of the time, and because of my major sinus/respiratory problems I can't taste most things anyway. It seemed like there's not a whole lot left to give up. That's where the notion of the social media fast came into play.
So far, it's been an epic fail on my part. I didn't realize how many times a day I turned toward the online world for a virtual kaffee klatsch. Not that I have much to say, mind, but giving up almost my only social outlet has proved virtually impossible. Something's gotta give, so I will have to go for something else to satisfy my Catholic guilt for being a super-shy person who cannot stop talking on the Internet.
When it comes to "giving up something," because of my severe hemochromatosis I've already had to mostly give up red meat, I can't have any alcohol, I can't have caffeinated drinks, I can't digest chocolate much of the time, and because of my major sinus/respiratory problems I can't taste most things anyway. It seemed like there's not a whole lot left to give up. That's where the notion of the social media fast came into play.
So far, it's been an epic fail on my part. I didn't realize how many times a day I turned toward the online world for a virtual kaffee klatsch. Not that I have much to say, mind, but giving up almost my only social outlet has proved virtually impossible. Something's gotta give, so I will have to go for something else to satisfy my Catholic guilt for being a super-shy person who cannot stop talking on the Internet.