I knew a devout Catholic man who fasted all day each Friday until his evening dinner. Commendable. But he was nasty to his wife. Hmmm.
Then this week some friends sent a kind of litany prayer which was given out at the parish Lenten Soup Supper on Friday. The prayer seemed to get to the heart of the matter, but I recast it a good bit, adding some nuance that might be helpful.
Like prayer and alms-giving, fasting is a component of Lent. But the purpose of the fasting isn't to make ourselves miserable (as if somehow that pleases God) but to redefine, change or evolve us. So, a fast from food, sure, but there's much more. And then of course, there's the flip side, the feasting, which is to embrace the new Christ-Heart.
- Fast from so much judging of other people...Feast on my own struggle to live an authentic Christian life.
- Fast from emphasizing how people are different from me...Feast on this: We're all God's children.
- Fast from the darkness that wants to get into my mind...Feast on Christ who calls himself, Light of the World.
- Fast from words that are like pollution...Feast on this: Blessed are the clean of heart.
- Fast from complaining and discontent...Feast on the blessings of each moment.
- Fast from irritability and anger...Feast on this: For most people, life is a very hard slog.
- Fast from rehearsing all the aches and pains...Feast on listening to others.
- Fast from pessimism and cynicism, down, down, down...Feast on this: Resurrection: Jesus really rose from the dead.
- Fast from so much worrying...Feast on this: God's got his eye on the sparrow.
- Fast from still more worrying...Feast on mindful appreciation.
- Fast from all the negativity...Feast on God's goodness that has brought me to today.
- Fast from having to change and correct everyone...Fast on this: God doesn't play favorites.
- Fast from stressing out...Feast on unceasing prayer.
- Fast from hostility...Feast on surrender and non-violence.
- Fast from bitterness and resentment...Feast on forgiveness.
- Fast from being too concerned about my own comfort...Feast on compassion for other people.
- Fast from discouragement...Feast on God's delighting in our desires and trying.
- Fast from depressing thoughts and predictions...Feast on Mary's Prayer: "The Lord has done marvels for me; holy is his name."
- Fast from lethargy...Feast on the things that bring joy and enthusiasm.
- Fast from suspicion...Feast on the truth of God's presence and love.
- Fast from the thoughts that weaken me...Feast on Dashing them against Christ the Rock.
- Fast from shadowy sorrows...Feast on the increased light of Spring.
- Fast from gossip...Feast on a monk's kind of silence.
- Fast from the problems that leave me feeling overwhelmed...Feast on prayer that keeps me on my feet and leaning in.
- Fast from so much time listening to the news...Feast on a book that will enrich and gladden.
