Resistance Podcast #250: To Love Fasting: Prayer, Almsgiving & the Desert Tradition w/ Fr. Abernethy

About this sermon

“Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever.” In this long-form teaching, we explore why Christians fast—and how to actually love fasting. Drawing on Scripture (Old & New Testaments), the Rule of St. Benedict, the Desert Fathers, and the reflections of Benedictine monk Adalbert de Vogue (“To Love Fasting”), we look at fasting as a tool for good works that unites prayer, fasting, and almsgiving (cf. Isaiah 58; Mark 9). We also compare modern practices (e.g., Exodus 90 / Fiat 90) with the ancient “regular fast” tradition, and share practical ways lay people can begin (and sustain!) a humane, grace-filled rhythm—without burnout. Whether you’re Catholic, Orthodox, or simply hungry for God, this talk will help you connect fasting to joy, freedom from the passions, and a deeper intimacy with Christ, the Bridegroom. What you’ll learn Biblical foundations for fasting (repentance, illumination, battle, healing) Why Jesus’ 40-day fast changes Christian fasting forever St. Benedict’s “to love fasting” & monastic wisdom for the laity The Desert Fathers’ regular 24-hour fast—what it is and why it works How fasting strengthens prayer (and why prayer without fasting is weak) Linking fasting to almsgiving in concrete, joyful charity Practical on-ramps, pitfalls to avoid, and how to involve your spiritual director If this blessed you, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE—and drop your questions in the comments! Chapters (Timestamps) 00:00 Intro & greeting (“Glory to Jesus Christ”) 01:06 Why “to love fasting” captured my imagination 03:54 From article to book: Adalbert de Vogue’s insights 06:58 St. Benedict: tools for good works & joy in Lent 09:08 Prayer–fasting–almsgiving: the three-legged stool (Isaiah 58) 12:03 Body–mind unity & self-awareness through fasting 13:26 Modern angles: intermittent fasting, Exodus 90 / Fiat 90 20:02 Old Testament fasting: repentance, battle, illumination 26:13 New Testament: Christ’s 40-day fast & the temptations 39:01 “This kind only by prayer and fasting” (Mark 9) 47:04 Why the disciples didn’t fast… yet (Bridegroom logic) 53:39 Desire, eros for God, and ordering the passions 58:01 Desert Fathers on deepest prayer before breaking the fast 1:02:03 What happened to fasting in monasteries? 1:09:00 De Vogue’s experiment: adopting the regular 24-hour fast 1:14:29 Fasting fuels almsgiving (real budget impact) 1:17:45 Eating vs. praying: lightness, attention, watchfulness 1:23:40 Christianity as an ascetical faith (not just ideas) 1:31:12 Identity before God: “Who are You, God? Who am I?” 1:35:01 Practical food notes: simplicity vs. delicacy & heaviness 1:39:04 Q&A: Adding a weekly 24-hour fast alongside Church fasts 1:47:00 Formation, discernment, spiritual direction 1:55:56 Closing prayer & blessing For more the audio only please visit https://www.philokaliaministries.org/ please visit https://patron.podbean.com/fatherdavidabernethy & remember to say 3 Hail Marys for the priest Christian fasting, Benedictine, Desert Fathers, prayer, almsgiving, Lent, Bridegroom, 24-hour fast, passions, humility, repentance, Mark 9, Isaiah 58, Rule of St. Benedict, Adalbert de Vogue. 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 Support Catholic Businesses here - https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ Sensus Fidelium Press - https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ Sensus Fidelium Apps - https://sensusfidelium.tv/ Support Sensus Fidelium - https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 🙏🏻PLEASE HELP OUR CHANNEL GROW 🙏🏻 ▶️ 1. Become a Channel Patron: https://www.patreon.com/SensusFidelium ▶️ 2. Visit the website https://www.sensusfidelium.com for Gueranger, Saint of the Day, Apologetics, Meditation by the Saints, Scripture Study and more. ▶️ 3. Subscribe to Other Video Platforms 🔴 SpiritusTV - https://spiritustv.com/@SensusFidelium 🔴 BitChute --- https://www.bitchute.com/channel/Sensus_Fidelium/ 🔴 Rumble --- https://rumble.com/c/c-298311 🔴 My Catholic Tube - https://mycatholictube.com/videos/sensus-fidelium-channel/ 🔴 ODYSEE - https://odysee.com/@SensusFidelium:c 🔴 UGETube - https://videos.utahgunexchange.com/@Sensus%20Fidelium 🔴 BrandNewTube - https://brandnewtube.com/@SensusFidelium 🔴 GabTV - https://tv.gab.com/channel/Sensus_Fidelium 🔴 GloriaTV - https://gloria.tv/Sensus%20Fidelium ▶️ 4. Follow on Social Media: 🔴 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SensusFidelium/ 🔴 Twitter: https://https://twitter.com/Sensus_Fidelium 🔴 YouTube: Click Subscribe, then Click "Notification Bell" = 🔔 🔴 Parler: https://parler.com/profile/Sensusfidelium/posts 🔴 GAB: https://gab.com/Sensus_Fidelium 🔴 Bastyon: https://bastyon.com/sensusfidelium 🔴 GETTR: https://gettr.com/user/sensus_fidelium 🔴 INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/sensusfidelium/ 🔴 Telegram: https//t.me/RealSensusFidelium 🔴 Truth Social - @SensusFidelium ▶️ 5. Follow on iTunes: 🔴 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sensus-fidelium-catholic-podcast/id1477010758

Topics

• Prayer
• Love & Compassion
• Suffering & Trials
• Fasting