Sunday Reflections

Fasting and Feasting

As we begin this great season of Lent it is important to take some time to reflect on how we plan to best spend this time to grow as stewards of Christ. We often associate Lent with fasting and penances, which are undoubtedly good. However, it is important that if we are going to give something up, we should strive to replace it with something good as well, for Aristotle famously said that “nature abhors a vacuum.”

This leads us to the practice of “fasting and feasting” in Lent. Through this practice we are able to cultivate strong stewardship through fasting from things that are unvirtuous and feasting on
charitable and wholesome acts. Let us take some time to prayerfully reflect on how we can implement the following list this Lenten season.

Fast from judging others; Feast on the Christ dwelling in them. Fast from emphasis on differences; Feast on the unity of life. Fast from words that pollute; Feast on phrases that purify. Fast from
discontent; Feast on gratitude. Fast from anger; Feast on patience. Fast from complaining; Feast on appreciation. Fast from negatives; Feast on affirmatives. Fast from self-concern; Feast on compassion for others. Fast from problems that overwhelm; Feast on prayer that strengthens. In essence, let us fast from anything that prevents us from being good stewards and feast on those practices that strengthens us.

Summary

As we begin this great season of Lent it is important to take some time to reflect on how we plan to best spend this time to grow as stewards of Christ. It is important that if we are going to give something up, we should strive to replace it with something good as well. Let us strive to fast from anything that prevents us from being good stewards and feast on those practices that strengthens us.

https://www.archtoronto.org/stewardship