Have you decided yet what practices to undertake for your 2018 Lenten tune-up?
Many of us fast from some comfort or behavior, giving it up for the sake of making more room inside of ourselves for faith and devotion. Others prefer not to fast, but instead add a positive practice or habit into their daily life, thereby becoming a brighter light in the world.
William Arthur Ward suggested doing both:
- Fast from judging others; feast on the Christ dwelling in them.
- Fast from emphasis on differences; feast on the unity of all life.
- Fast from apparent darkness; feast on the reality of light.
- Fast from words that pollute; feast on phrases that purify.
- Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude.
- Fast from anger; feast on patience.
- Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism.
- Fast from worry; feast on trust.
- Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation.
- Fast from negatives; feast on affirmatives.
- Fast from unrelenting pressures; feast on unceasing prayer.
- Fast from hostility; feast on nonviolence.
- Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness.
- Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.
- Fast from personal anxiety; feast on eternal truth.
- Fast from discouragement; feast on hope.
- Fast from facts that depress; feast on truths that uplift.
- Fast from lethargy; feast on enthusiasm.
- Fast from suspicion; feast on truth.
- Fast from thoughts that weaken; feast on promises that inspire.
- Fast from shadows of sorrow; feast on the sunlight of serenity.
- Fast from idle gossip; feast on purposeful silence.
- Fast from problems that overwhelm; feast on prayer that sustains.
May our fasting this Lent increase our spiritual fitness.
And may our Lenten feasting make us plump with new virtues and fresh joy.
With love,
