Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord, you God. For gracious and merciful is he, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment. perhaps he will again relent and leave behind him a blessing, Offerings and libations for the Lord, your God. Blow the trumpet in Zion! proclaim a fast, call an ssembly; Gather the people, notify the congregation; Assemble the elders, gather the children and the infants at the breast; Let the bridegroom quit his room and the bride her chamber. Between the porch and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the Lord weep, And say, “Spare, O Lord, your people, and make not your heritage a reproach, with the nations ruling over them! Why should they say among the peoples,’Where is their God?’” Then the Lord was stirred to concern for his land and took pity on his people. ~ Joel 2:12-18
This is what we (Catholics) do as a world wide congregation. We call an assembly and as a people, we cry out to God.
What are the three things we should be focusing on during Lent? They are Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving. Since I am writing on a Friday I am going to talk about Fasting today.
During Lent we are called to not eat meat on Friday. Why? Up until recently in history, meat has only been for the wealthy. You either had to be wealthy to purchase meat, or you had to be wealthy to keep and raise animals for consumption. Anyone could go to the river and catch a fish. To give up meat was a sacrifice for those who could have meat. This is called abstaining. We choose not to eat meat to be in solidarity with those who cannot afford the luxury of meat. We are encouraged to take the money that we save by not buying meat and donating it to the poor.
During Lent there are only two days where we are called to fast. This is on Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the journey and on Good Friday, the day we commemorate our Lord’s death. However, by giving something up, we fast in a different way. I might choose to give up alcohol. I could offer this sacrifice for those who cannot give up alcohol. I could choose to give up Facebook and fill that time with something else that would bring glory to God. As a family we are giving up desserts and sweets for snack. My husband decided this one for the family. Our youngest doesn’t get it and he is not too happy. This is a teachable moment. There are kids who can’t have a cookie. The money that we save by not having dessert will be donated. That is something that he can understand.
Maybe I should fast from shopping. Do I spend too much time at the stores spending money that I don’t need to? Maybe I should fast from how many clothes I have. Should I be saving something that I really want to fit into again or could I give it away to someone who needs it?
Could I fast from the way I talk? My husband and I gave up cursing when we were engaged (25 years ago). It isn’t edifying speech.
Could I fast from watching as much televistion? Playing games on the computer? What if I spent that time creating something? spending more time with my kids (I am a homeschooling mom so that means that I am with them all day long, but am I really there)?
Could I fast from either a slothful attitude about house cleaning, or a scrupulous attitude towards house cleaning?
There are many things to fast from. And, in turn that fasting, will help to bless you, those around you and those who don’t even know you.
