On Sunday, at church, we talked about the Israelites learning to live a free life -- free from slavery, free from the injustices and unnecessary rules that had made life difficult for them in Egypt. We talked about how difficult that transition must have been for them -- to enter into a new land where you know nothing. You must start all over again! There are challenges that come even with freedom! It was difficult for the Israelites and is for us also. It is difficult for us to break away from the habits that we fall into -- even when they are harmful to us and/or to others. Habits are hard to break away from!
The season of Lent invites us to take a closer look into our lives and see if we have fallen into any patterns that may be harmful to ourselves or others. The general practice has been for us to ‘give up’ something for Lent! I know people have given up chocolate or coffee for Lent and could not wait for it to be over -- so they could enjoy them again! I believe we need to think of making a change that is a permanent shift in our view of life, relationships and resources -- in a way that is good for us, the world and one another, instead of fasting temporarily but still thinking of those things during the fasting period.
I recently came across these suggestions for Lenten fasting, that are attributed to Pope Francis. Think of these things if you are intending to fast this Lenten season, or might I suggest that we look at them anyway -- they just might be good for our souls.
Fast from hurting words and say kind words.
Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.
Fast from anger and be filled with patience.
Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.
Fast from worries and trust in God.
Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity.
Fast from pressures and be prayerful.
Fast from bitterness and fill your heart with joy.
Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others.
I will commit to at least a few of these changes in my own life, in order to live and healthier and hope-filled life. I hope you can join me, so together we can journey towards a better life and future.
Beloveds, may God be our guide as we enter into the season of Lent, commit to making changes in our lives that help us to fully live into our gospel calling and show us a way to live and love fully -- loosening where we need to, changing where we can -- but always remaining faithful to the gospel.
God bless you and I hope to see you at church. May God give all of us the strength we need for each day to do the work that we are called to do. And remember, I am always your partner in justice.
