I read a great article by Felicia Difato, in which she offered a slightly different look at Lent. For instance, she points out that most of us tend to “give up” food or TV. Sad, isn’t it? Food and TV are what most Americans consider to be indulgences to be done without…and I can understand that. But really, couldn’t you delve a bit deeper? Besides, do you not just pick up the chocolate donut afterwards?
Now, I am not knocking those who are really stuck to their chocolate donuts (you know who you are!) But instead of giving up food, sweets, or television, consider giving up an indulgence that might actually change your life or the lives of those around you. Have I peaked your interest? Well, try one of Felicia’s 15 ideas:
- Fast from anger and hatred. Give your family that extra dose of love.
- Fast from division. Strive to be in unity with everyone.
- Fast from judging others. Before making any judgments, remember how Jesus overlooks our faults.
- Fast from low self-esteem, pessimism, and negativity. Be positive in your outlook on life.
- Fast from discouragement. Let’s have hope in all that we do.
- Fast from personal anxiety, fear and worry. Jesus is watching over our lives. Put your trust in him.
- Fast from lethargy. Have enthusiasm for life.
- Fast from the problems that overwhelm your life and wear you down. Pray and ask Jesus for help.
- Fast from complaining. When you’re about to complain, try to appreciate all the little moments of joy.
- Fast from too much self-concern. Put yourself in the shoes of other people.
- Fast from any resentments or bitterness. Forgive those who have hurt your life.
- Fast from conversations that are negative or filled with gossip. Encourage one another with loving and kind words.
- Fast from spending too much money. Reduce your spending by 10 percent and have your family give the savings to the poor.
- Fast from too much of the world. In Lent, try to give extra time to Jesus.
- Fast from cooking, grocery shopping, and the dishes. This one is reserved for the Second Coming of Jesus.
Tags: catholic lent, catholic nuns, catholic sisters, fast during lent
Thank you for this, I was just looking for some guides in life ! Lent is such a Holy time, and, yes, these 15 ways of Fasting are the best !
I think the difficulty with this is that if one decides to fast from an abstract idea or general attitude, it’s harder to translate that into particular actions or restraints, and much harder to keep in check when it’s about one’s thoughts and feelings. On the other hand, if one determines to focus on an item or two from this list, it could indeed end up being a good prompt to notice and check one’s thoughts. Hopefully it would be a basis for deeper reflection rather than simply ignoring or covering up the negatives.
One piece of lenten advice that I remember hearing is to do a negative and a positive; that is, to give up something and also to do something proactively.
Thanks for the food for thought.
Wow thank you so much for this. Sometimes we are just lazy to think deep in our hearts but this has motivated me to give up something different this upcoming Lent season. I was surprised that I could relate to 13!!! of the 15! Wow
And thanks Julia for your thoughtful reflection.
Thanks Teresa for your comment. Sometimes we need a little food for thought from someone to help us along on our journey.