A Different Approach to FASTING!

Most of us have a tendency to direct our Fasting only and simply toward giving up things like; Food, Drinks, Smoking, Pleasure, and Television. But there are many other aspects of our lives, in which we can experience and welcome Jesus’ healing touch this Lent. Here are some interesting and attention-grabbing suggestions you might want to consider to make these Lenten resolutions genuine and honest:

• Fast from lack of faith: When we fail to believe that everything is a gift from God we destroy ourselves. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen (He 11: 1).
• Fast from anger and hatred: Give those around us a little extra attention especially those who might be different, look different, or act different than us.
• Fast from judging others: Before making any judgments always recall how Jesus overlooks our own faults; how He always patiently waits for our return.
• Fast from discouragement: Hold on to Jesus’ promises not to give up on us. Why should we give up on ourselves?
• Fast from complaining: When we find ourselves about to complain close our eyes and recall the many blessings that we have received from the Lord.
• Fast from resentment or bitterness: Take a step forward to offer and ask for forgiveness. Holding on to past grudges hurts us more than they help.
• Fast from addiction of all kinds: Be addicted with what the Lord alone can give, which is eternal.
• Fast from vanity and spending too much: Reduce our spending by 10% or more and give it to those who are less fortunate.
• Fast from greed, jealousy and envy: Be content with what we have, because God has said, ‘Never will I forsake you. Seek first the kingdom of God and anything else will come along.
• Fast from pride: Do not let our EGO gets the best out of us; go down the mountain of our pride; sometimes admit and confess when we are wrong.
• Fast from being too secular: Spend times with the Lord in prayer, meditation, and spiritual reading (Lectio Divina) to sustain your faith and our spiritual longing and thirst.
• Fast from negative thinking, imagination, and attitude: we must learn not to judge or push people away just by looking at them. It is when we see the good side of things or people that we can experience God’s goodness and blessings.
• Fast from thought of failure and defeat: No one is ever defeated until defeat has been accepted as a reality. Just as no one is ever victorious until victory has been accepted as a reality. With God victory will always be possible and yours.

Fasting and abstinence should not just simply be about food, or lack of it, but instead it must be about self-crosschecking at every dimension of our lives for our own spiritual benefit and wellbeing; about making an extra attempt to improve our relationship with God and others; about growing and maturing in the practice of the faith.

Wishing you all a wonderful and a fruitful Lent!

Fr. Anthonio Jean