Tuesday, February 9
Wikipedia defines Lent as follows:
Lent (Latin: Quadragesima, ‘Fortieth’) is a solemn religious observance in the Christian liturgical calendar that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends approximately six weeks later, before Easter Sunday. The purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer for Easter through prayer, doing penance, mortifying the flesh, repentance of sins, almsgiving, and self-denial.
In Lent many of us “give up” something that we really like – coffee, chocolate, wine or maybe even social media. But Lent is not a time to merely stop eating chocolate for 40 days. I found a poem that gives an interesting way to fast not just during Lent but all through the year
The Fast life
Fast from judging others;
Feast on Christ dwelling in them.
Fast from fear of illness;
Feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from words that pollute;
Feast on speech that purifies.
Fast from discontent;
Feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger;
Feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism;
Feast on hope.
Fast from negatives;
Feast on encouragement.
Fast from bitterness;
Feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern;
Feast on compassion.
Fast from suspicion;
Feast on truth.
Fast from gossip;
Feast on purposeful silence.
Fast from problems that overwhelm;
Feast on prayer that sustains.
Fast from anxiety;
Feast on faith.
-Author Unknown
However you choose to observe Lent this year, there will be plenty of opportunities at All Saints’ to help you in your observance. May this Lent bring us all closer to God and deepen our relationship with Him.
Prayer:
Lord, teach me a new freedom. Freedom to reject comparison and to embrace uniqueness. Freedom to cut ties with greed and feast on love. Freedom to abstain from over indulgence and feast on self-control. Freedom to leave behind selfish thoughts and to focus on the needs of others. Freedom to fend off insecurity and to embrace grace. Lord, at this time of Lent, thank you for the freedom you bring. Amen.
(a Lenten prayer for young people from www.lords-prayer-words.com)
