Diocese of Little Rock: Take a phone, television fast

Catholics in Arkansas asked to fast from their phone, TV on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday

Published: February 23, 2017

For the first time ever, the Diocese of Little Rock is inviting people to “fast” by turning off their cell phones and televisions on Ash Wednesday, March 1 and Good Friday, April 14.

Silencing phones and televisions for all or part of these holy days will give God a chance to call ones’ hearts, especially if it is coupled with at least an hour spent in silent prayer while disconnected from digital media. The diocese is asking parishioners to consider including this practice in addition to almsgiving, prayer and fasting from food, which are traditional disciplines the Church observes during Lent.

Because all of these practices involve sacrifice of one sort or another, it would be especially beneficial to offer the spiritual fruits of that sacrifice for some specific cause — thus giving meaning to the suffering involved and producing greater spiritual benefit.

The diocese is recommending parishioners offer up the sacrifices of Ash Wednesday for those who have left or been hurt by the Church. The sacrifices of Good Friday should be offered up for those who are marginalized and neglected — basing our reflection on Jesus’ parable of the Last Judgment in Matthew 25:31-46.

To share an “I phone fast” meme to your social media accounts, visit Arkansas Catholic on Facebook: facebook.com/arkansascatholic.

Click for the Lent 2017 index