This morning a friend of mine asked me what I was “giving up for Lent.” I paused for a moment, then I shared with her that I am going to try to get rid of thoughts that are not congruent with God’s plan for me. I am calling this “Fasting of the Mind”. She looked at me and smiled. Now the question is “how”. How am I going to practice Fasting of the Mind? After all, the average person has some 70,000 thoughts a day and surely many of mine are not Godly. Perhaps you feel my struggle. I want to be holy, I take steps to become holy; however, those less than holy thoughts just appear in my mind randomly. So how can I (or anyone) find escape from the mind’s unholy thoughts?
God’s Desire
Well, today’s first reading tells us that God doesn’t want fruitless fasts or empty works – God wants the real thing from us. He wants us to love like he does. Seems like Fasting of the Mind is right up God’s ally. And like any good parent, he offers us proper direction and the tools to do so. In Isaiah 58: 1-9 God gives us a laundry list of the fasting he desires – release those bound unjustly, untie the thongs of yoke, share our food with the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the oppressed and homeless, and never turn your back on your own. O.k. – got it! Let’s do that, then we will win favor with God, our wounds will be healed (quickly God adds) and we will shine like the sun because our light will “break forth like the dawn”. Got it God – here we go to do as you have said! Thanks for the direction! Let the mind fasting commence!
I’m Confused – Are You?
However, I’m not sure exactly how to do some (all) of that??? Maybe you are confused too. Untie the thongs of yoke? Release those bound unjustly? What yoke? And exactly what bounds am I to release? I think I understand how to cloth the naked and shelter the homeless. However, does that mean the homeless in my hometown – those on the park benches? Do I invite them to stay in the room my college child has left empty? My mind is already conjuring images of confusion and fear.
Then, we are to never turn our back on our own? Since we are all the Body of Christ just what is God saying here? Should we never turn our back on anyone – even those who pose a physical or spiritual threat to myself or my family? All kinds of confusing thoughts are bubbling up in my mind again! It seems to me that today’s first reading poses more existential questions than it answers. Can’t I just give up chocolate for Lent!?! I might need to rethink this whole Fasting of the Mind thing because I feel woefully ill equipped.
Of course this list is impossible… if we don’t allow the Trinity to be our guide. In order to do as God request of us we must surrender to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – the Holy Trinity. When we surrender, our cry for help will be heard by the Lord, he will answer us and we will become his servants. Such surrendering requires that we open our hearts to the Trinity and invite Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to dwell within.
What The Mystics Knew
The mystics knew how to empty their minds and allow God in – they did it beautifully. They knew that true power lived in the heart – a heart that allowed God in. However, mankind entered the “Age of Reason” – the “Enlightenment” in the “long 18th century”: which lasted from 1685 AD – 1815 AD. We became and intellectual community that valued the mind and the “thinking” man. We are still living here my friends; however, things are changing.
“I think, therefore I am” – philosopher, mathematician, and Catholic: René Descartes (1596 – 1650)
Yes, using our mind is a good thing, after all, God gave us a human mind. However, with the Enlightenment mankind lost the ability to fully experience God. We are more than our minds and, in order to experience more of God, we must explore beyond our minds. God cannot be experienced intellectually, God is love and, in being such, God is experienced in the heart.
Fasting of the Mind – Lectio Divina
This brings me back to the question my friend asked me this morning – “What are you giving up for Lent?” Well, I am going to practice Fasting of the Mind with the help of the Holy Trinity. I am going to try to empty my mind so God can speak to me. I want to listen to God, and in order to do so my mind needs to quite down a bit – maybe you can relate. Lectio Divina, a practice Benedictine monks observed in their daily lives dating back to the early monastic communities, is a tool I am using this Lenten season.
Lectio Divina, or sacred reading, was used by the monks as they embraced the Word of God – Sacred Scripture. There are four steps to follow when praying and meditating on Scripture in this way.
- Faith – read your chosen verse slowly and reflectively, knowing that God is really there with you.
- Silence – read the verse again in a meditative manner, keeping silence in your heart.
- Openness – read the verse a third time leaving your thinking aside, keep your heart open to God.
- Rest – read a forth time and rest, listen at your deepest level to God’s small voice within.
You can use Lectio Divina with any verse. I used today’s Psalm this morning. During my practice of Lectio Divina God directed me to reflect further on the Sacrament Reconciliation and my heart was filled with peace.
Have mercy on me, God, in accord with your merciful love;
in your abundant compassion blot out my transgressions.
Thoroughly wash away my guilt;
and from my sin cleanse me. Psalm 51: 3-4 (NABRE)
Inviting the Bridegroom In
Perhaps emptying our minds is what Jesus was discussing when he talked about the Bridegroom in today’s Gospel. Our busy thoughts, our focus on reason, and our idolization of intellect have taken our Bridegroom away. A busy mind will leave little room for him to enter in. If we don’t let Jesus in we cannot hear him. Remember Jesus is a gentleman, he will never force his way into our minds and hearts. I invite you, this Lenten Season, to practice Fasting of the Mind with me so the Trinity can enter in and consume us.
Today’s Readings Isaiah 58:1-9A Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6AB, 18-19; Alleluia – Amos 5:14; Matthew 9:14-15
The Nine Faces of Struggle
Sometimes we will become “stuck”, not knowing how to escape from pain and heartache. As human beings we walk around in a world filled with emotions that run counter to love. Over my years of practice I have identified what I call the “Nine Faces of Struggle”. These are common blocks I have witnessed that serve to separate individuals from the healing balm of love. Here is the link if you would like to learn more: The Nine Faces of Struggle
I hope you find your way home towards the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ – the one who is love himself. May you speak and think words of love, forgiveness and mercy as you sing and praise of God’s glory! – Carolyn
Sacred Heart of Jesus – have mercy on us.
Father God – consume us.
Holy spirit – enter in to us.
Mother Mary – pray for us.
Saint Katharine Drexel – pray for us.
My Book
I have created a pdf version for those who seek to read my book, Understanding The Jesus Code, yet have found it is not available via Amazon in their country, or those who are financially unable to obtain a copy. If you are experiencing either issue please email us so we can help.
