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Make more room for God this Lent by choosing to
not do some things (fasting) and by choosing
to do other things (feasting).
Fasting
is an integral part of Lent. Traditionally
it has included reducing the amount of food we
eat and abstaining from meat.
1.
We fast to allow our physical hunger to remind
us of our spiritual hunger for God.
2.
The purpose of fasting is to turn our attention
to both God and others.
Things
to Fast From….
- watching television
- cussing or using foul language
- buying new things: clothes, music, magazines,
jewelry
- snack or junk foods
- spending money on entertainment
- being angry at other people
- holding resentments
- gossiping
- being dishonest
Feasting - The dictionary defines
a feast as “something that gives unusual
or abundant pleasure.
1.
Jesus tells us what gives us the most real and
lasting joy: it is sharing ourselves with love
for others, for our friends, our family, and also
for our neighbors in need.
2. During Lent,
we pay attention to feasting on joy, compassion,
service, and hope, so that we might grow in faith
all year long.
Things to Feast On….
- prayer
- acts of kindness to others
- forgiveness
- participating at Church
- participating in liturgy and Eucharist
- giving our time in service
- participating in the Sacrament of Reconciliation
- acts of service and charity
- giving money to people who are hungry or
in need
- giving personal possessions to people in
need: clothes, books, shoes
Ideas
for Putting it All Together
Fasting and Feasting help us to prepare for
Easter.
- Choose one night of the week to “fast”
from watching TV – spend that time saying
a special prayer, helping a family member or
reading a verse from the Bible.
- Choose a snack food that you usually purchase
that you could give-up during Lent – set
aside the money you would have spent to donate
to a special charity.
- Think about a habit you have that you would
like to change, like using curse words, yelling
at others or putting people down – choose
to try to avoid that habit and do something
positive instead.
- Think about people you are angry with, who
have hurt or offended you. “Fast”
from your anger and resentment by making a list
of these people and trying to pray for one person
each day, thinking about one thing that is good
about them.
“Fast” from feeling guilty and angry
at yourself for things you have done wrong –
instead “feast” on God’s love
by participating in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
This
resource is from the Center of Ministry development.
For more information, check out www.cmdnet.org
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