A thought for Lent

[Unofficial Reverand Alex]

From Franciscan Media's reflection on St. Mary Ann of Jesus of Parede:

"If our self-denial does not lead to charity, the penance is being practiced for the wrong reason."

This is a really good quote for anytime, especially as we begin Lent, so I thought I should share it; a good thing to think about.

I've also included a few things from the Holy Father on fasting; one in his own words, one the Bible passage he's surely referencing.

May God bless us all & our efforts of charity!

 

[Tree of Life]

We should certainly repent of sin. But we should not "fast" from sin. We should "fast" from good things.

 

[GreekOrthodox]

DO YOU FAST?
Do you fast? Give me proof of it by your works.
If you see a poor man, take pity on him.
If you see a friend being honored, do not envy him.
Do not let only your mouth fast, but also the eye and the ear and the feet and the hands and all the members of our bodies.
Let the hands fast, by being free of avarice.
Let the feet fast, by ceasing to run after sin.
Let the eyes fast, by disciplining them not to glare at that which is sinful.
Let the ear fast, by not listening to evil talk and gossip.
Let the mouth fast from foul words and unjust criticism.
For what good is it if we abstain from birds and fishes, but bite and devour our brothers and sisters?
May He who came to the world to save sinners strengthen us to complete the fast with humility, have mercy on us and save us.
St. John Chrysostom - 4th century

 

[Erik Nelson]

The Ancient Tradition of Penance

 

[~Zao~]

Isaiah 58
Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of injustice,
to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them,
and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
8 Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up quickly;
your vindicator shall go before you,
the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
9 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am.

If you remove the yoke from among you,
the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil,
10 if you offer your food to the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the afflicted,
then your light shall rise in the darkness
and your gloom be like the noonday.
11 The Lord will guide you continually,
and satisfy your needs in parched places,
and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water,
whose waters never fail.