Slowing into Lent!!

 

Fasting & Feasting

Lent is more than a time of fasting, it can also be a joyous season of feasting.
Lent is a time to fast from certain things, and to feast on others.

Fast from judging others
        Feast on the Christ dwelling in them
Fast from emphasis on differences
        Feast on the unity of life
Fast from apparent darkness
        Feast on the reality of light

Fast from thoughts of illness
        Feast on the healing power of God
Fast from words that pollute
        Feast on words 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 Divine Providence

Fast from complaining
        Feast on appreciation
Fast from negatives
        Feast on affirmatives
Fast from unrelenting pleasures
        Feast on unceasing prayer

Fast from hostility
        Feast on peace
Fast from bitterness
        Feast on forgiveness
Fast from self-concern
        Feast on compassion for others

Fast from personal anxiety
        Feast on trust

Fast from discouragement
        Feast on hope
Fast from acts that tear down
        Feast on acts which build up

Fast from thoughts that weaken
        Feast on promises that inspire
Fast from idle gossip
        Feast on purposeful silence
Fast from problems which overwhelm
        Feast on prayer that is supportive

(Sharing of other Fast from . . . or Feast on . . .)

Closing Prayer:

God, we honor the Mystery of your presence in us.  We celebrate through feasting and fasting your Indwelling Presence in our daily lives.  You are here today in ways we did not know.  We cherish your presence in our lives as we journey through life.  We receive your joy in the midst of our sorrows.  We receive your love in the midst of our fears and we receive your light in the midst of our darkness . . .

And so we pray:

May there always be a little light in our darkness.

May there always be a little faith in our doubt.

May there always be a little joy in our sorrow.

May there always be a little life in our dying.

May there always be a little hope in our sadness.

May there always be a little courage in our fear.

May there always be a little slow in our hurry.  Amen.                       

  (Adapted from Song of the Seed by Macrina Wiederkehr)