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Abstinence is defined as choosing not to have something you could have--for instance, dessert or a drink. In the Church, the word abstinence is used to refer to not eating meat on Fridays during Lent. Currently, the word abstinence is being used to describe the choice not to be sexually active.
What are the rules about abstinence? In most parts of your life, the general rule would be to strengthen your spiritual muscles by practicing abstinence--not always getting everything you want, but restraining yourself, doing without, going the extra mile freely and with a holy purpose.
Specifically, of course, I already mentioned abstinence from meat on the Fridays of Lent and you well know the Church's teaching about sexual abstinence before and outside of marriage.
In summary, abstinence will strengthen your heart and soul so that you are better able to do the Lord's work in the world--which is how I would define the quest for perfection. |