Thanks Jonny Baker for this insight (via Jordon Cooper)
Lent can be more than a time of fasting; it can be a season of feasting.
We can use Lent to fast from certain things and to feast on others.
Lent is a season in which we can:
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 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 divine order.
Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation.
Fast from negatives; feast on affirmatives.
Fast from unrelenting pressure; feast on unceasing prayer.
Fast from hostility; feast on nonresistance.
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 facts that depress; feast on verities that uplift.
Fast from discouragements; feast on hope.
Fast from lethargy; feast on enthusiasm.
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 undergirds.from a Benedictine website as quoted in The Tablet, 3 March 2001, p. 325
Posted by sivinkit at March 1, 2004 10:28 AMThis is the most beautiful thing that I have read about fasting during Lent. All these while, Lent is just giving up something ( mostly food ) . But this explains it better. Giving up food is easy. But giving up certain habits in a everyday situation , now that's the challenge. Thanks for this beautiful piece.
Posted by: Angeline at March 1, 2004 07:37 PMI agree with Angeline. This made me feel stronger again... fulfilled when my stomach thought it was needy.
Posted by: SB at March 2, 2004 06:38 PM