It is several years since I came
across the list below on Fasting/Feasting, describing a different type of
fasting during Lent. It still makes a great deal of sense to me.
What we feed in ourselves grows
strong, for better or worse. We can be unaware of the powerful impact
our habitual way of thinking has on ourselves and others.
Authentic religion brings about inner
transformation. We can focus on the inessentials, the externals while the Lord
looks to the heart.
In the Franciscan story we read
that Gordan of Giano was a novice at the Pentecost Chapter held in
the woods below Assisi
in 1221. Several thousand friars had come together. Gordan tells us that
Francis went among them collecting all their instruments of penance, hair
shirts, corded ropes, whatever.
He did this for two reasons.
Firstly, he did not want his brothers in their fervour to overdo
their bodily penances. But especially Francis realised that physical
self-denial can simply inflate one's spiritual pride. It is a
danger warned of by Christ in his parable: "The Pharisee lifted
his eyes to heaven and prayed: I thank you Lord that I am not like the
rest of men. I fast twice a week..."
It is easier to give up
chocolate than unkind words.
It is easier to increase our devotions
than our spirit of gratitude.
It is easier to abstain from food
than from bitterness.
So this list is not simply a Lenten
exercise but a programme for life, for daily living in grace and generosity. It
goes straight to the core of the Gospel: the renewal of our hearts and
minds.
FAST from judging
others;
FEAST on the Christ within them.
FAST from emphasis on
differences; FEAST on the unity of life.
FAST from apparent
darkness; FEAST
on the reality of light.
FAST from thoughts of
illness;
FEAST on the healing power of God.
FAST from words that
pollute;
FEAST on phrases that purify.
FAST from
discontent;
FEAST on gratitude.
FAST from
anger;
FEAST on patience.
FAST from
pessimism;
FEAST on optimism.
FAST from
worry;
FEAST on trust in God.
FAST from
complaining;
FEAST on appreciation.
FAST from
negatives;
FEAST on affirmatives.
FAST from unrelenting
pressures; FEAST on unceasing prayer.
FAST from
hostility;
FEAST on non-resistance.
FAST from
bitterness;
FEAST on forgiveness.
FAST from
self-centredness;
FEAST on compassion for others.
FAST from personal anxiety;
FEAST on eternal Truth.
FAST from
discouragement;
FEAST on hope.
FAST from facts that
depress; FEAST
on verities that uplift.
FAST from
lethargy;
FEAST on enthusiasm.
FAST from
suspicion;
FEAST on truth.
FAST from thoughts that
weaken; FEAST on promises that
inspire.
FAST from shadows of
sorrow;
FEAST on the sunlight of serenity.
FAST from idle
gossip;
FEAST on purposeful silence.
FAST from problems that overwhelm;
FEAST on prayer that under girds.
—anonymous
The Psalmist prayed: "My soul shall
be filled as with a banquet" (Ps 63:6). We can choose with what we
will nourish our souls. My prayer for us all during this season of
grace is that we will feast richly on all that will make our lives
flourish in Christ-like serenity and goodness.
