Fasting. . . A Help to Get Over Yourself.

Pope Francis puts a new light on the Lenten practice of fasting. Rather than going without sweets, alcohol etc., why not fast from our bad habits?

Here are some suggestions:

• Fast from angry words. They seldom help; most always they hurt.
• Fast from judgements about others and why they are that way. You don’t really know.
• Fast from always following your feelings. Feelings come and go. They have no mind of their own. Listen to them but don’t be a slave to them.
• Fast from always finding “fault”. Try to see the good right next to the “not so good”.
• Fast from seeing yourself as treated unfairly. Think how many times you’ve gotten away with something!
• Fast from thinking “you’re a cut above” the rest. How many people have had the advantages in life that you’ve had?
• Fast from avoiding people you don’t like. They deserve your kindness always.
• Fast from holding on to hurts and disappointments. My sister tells me to “get over it”. She’s right. “Over it” can start something new.
• Fast from blaming (God, the government, the schools, the liberals, the conservatives, the church, etc.).
• Fast from hoarding. Face it, we all have too much. Let some of your (money, clothes, shoes, coats, toys) go.
• Fast from thinking it “all depends on you.” It doesn’t. It’s what God wants. Get in touch with what God wants.

God will whisper what he asks you to do.

Have a blessed Lent.

Fr. Tim