Lenten Feast

The two words "Lent" and "feast" seem opposed to one another.

Lent is traditionally a time of paring down, of drawing back, of less rather than more. Feasting is enjoying the abundance of things. Yet Lent is the perfect time to feast on spiritual things.

I want to share the following with you. My pastor, Fr. Don Zeiler, shared this with St. Gabriel the Archangel in McKinney this past week. It is really worthy of reflection. Choose one to focus one - perhaps a different one every day, or every week. See what speaks to you.

Fast From-Feast On

• Fast from judging others; Feast on the Christ dwelling in them.
• Fast from emphasis on differences; Feast on the unity of life.
• Fast from apparent darkness; Feast on the reality of light.
• 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.
• 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 nonviolence.
• Fast from bitterness; Feast on forgiveness.
• Fast from self-concern; Feast on compassion for others.
• Fast from personal anxiety; Feast on eternal truth.
• Fast from discouragements; Feast on hope.
• Fast from facts that depress; Feast on truths 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 idle gossip; Feast on purposeful silence.
• Fast from problems that overwhelm; Feast on prayer that [strengthens].

—taken from William Arthur Ward (American author, teacher and pastor, 1921-1994.)