What is asceticism?
“severe self-discipline and avoidance of all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons.” – Oxford Languages
Ascetic practices have a long history. Not just in Christianity but in other religions before that. The ancient Jews fasted and had a deep culture of sacrifice. But what is the point of asceticism in today’s age? The first and main reason is to give glory to God the Father. Secondly, it is to unite ourselves with Christ in His suffering and passion. Lastly, it is used to tamp down the desires of the flesh: food, drink, sex, entertainment, and everyday comforts. These comforts aren’t bad, they are good! God the Father created most of those things listed, and the others are good too, as long as the everyday comforts you’re imagining aren’t sinful. As men, we have to realize that indulging in comfort all the time makes us soft. It makes us self-absorbed and causes us to become focused on pleasuring and entertaining ourselves, our desires become the highest good in our mind. Through self-denial, one practices becoming less self-absorbed. When we stop thinking about ourselves all the time we can spend more time pouring our love and our time into others, primarily God.
What does asceticism look like for Catholic men today?
The definition from Oxford is vague. And that is appropriate because many things would fall under the term. There are degrees of severity when it comes to asceticism. There are appropriate practices of self-denial for overcoming certain unruly passions. If you struggle with sloth, committing to 30-60 minutes of exercise per day is a good place to start. If you struggle with overeating, fast two days per week or fast from something small every day of the week. Be careful, however, not to fall into self-absorbed asceticism. When we become overly focused on self-denial because we’re displeased with ourselves for some reason, we lose the real purpose.
All ascetic practices must give glory to God FIRST! So what is meant by that? If you struggle with overeating the mindset should be, “ Dear Father in heaven, I want to care for this body You have created and I want to use it for Your glory. As a reminder of this gift and to give glory to You I’m going to fast two days a week.” Another approach is fasting for others. This is like a prolonged form of prayer. If your friend struggles with alcohol, perhaps the approach should be, “Father in Heaven, you bestow on us all things good. I want to unite myself with Your Son in His suffering for the sake of (my friend) during their struggle with alcohol. I will fast from alcohol to give glory to You, Father.”
Exercises we encourage:
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“The soul is strengthened through ascetic suffering, and dispels listlessness by doing all things according to measure.”
-St. Thalassios the Libyan
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