Jesus replied, ‘Surely the bridegroom’s attendants would never think of mourning as long as the bridegroom is still with them? But the time will come for the bridegroom to be taken away from them, and then they will fast.’
My nephew, sister, daughter and my whole family in general would always bring up Isiaha 58 when we went out to eat. I pay the bill. It is my penance. Is not this the sort of fast that pleases me – it is the Lord who speaks – to break unjust fetters and undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke, to share your bread with the hungry, and shelter the homeless poor to clothe the man you see to be naked and not turn from your own kin?
Fasting to most Catholics is giving up alcohol or sweets. It is not giving up says the Lord. Fasting is doing something positive. Yes, doing good and not giving something up. Our church gives out meditation booklets and I use them. I think it is a great way to do something positive for Lent. Still don’t limit yourself. Do something nice for a neighbor, person or acquaintances you don’t like. It might surprise you as to the results of your efforts.
So much of our Lenten experience surrounds food or community and in some cases those incarcerated. Christ’s passion was personal, but our Lenten passion is community and how they connect with us. Of course the real component of a fast is penance. We need to be sorry for what we have sinned. Sunday’s Gospel spoke of taking the plank out of our own eye before we take a splitter out of the eye of a neighbor.
In our homes we do Spring cleaning. We throughout the old and leave room for new grace to enter our lives. We drown ourselves with gadgets and clothes that we don’t use. We have so much and can’t find the things we really need. Our souls are the same we have so much baggage from hurt feelings, and unforgiveness that we have trouble finding what we need. We need the Ten Commandments and Jesus Christ. The result is that we love our neighbor more.
We get to this plateau by taking a good look at our relationship with Jesus. I we really following Him or just a CINO or Catholic in name only. Look for ways that we don’t follow the Commandments. Honestly, we overlook if a cashier gives us too much change back or if they miss a item put into our cart. More importantly, we need to take more time during our day and either talk or listen to what Jesus is telling us. He will direct us if we are willing to listen. He might speak in that sermon from two Sunday’s ago which has relevance today. It could be we notice that we are not being attentive to our spouses or neighbor’s needs.
You will hear that Lent is a journey or a development. It is that but the tools for a productive Lent should be the blueprint for every day in our lives. Let us take the following our goal for this Lent and always. Genesis 12:2-3 I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the families of the earth will find blessing in you. My Jesus find a blessing in you, today.
Happy Lent!
God Love You Always
Bob Burford
PS: Please Pray especially hard for our Pontiff, Pope Francis who may be with his friend Jesus right now. Please Pray for Cancer victims and their caregivers. Pray for the conversion of Russia and the salvation of the Ukrainian and Russian people and their soldiers. Pray for the Holy Land. Pray for peace!
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