Friday, March 30, 2012

Fast or Feast?



The desert can be very barren and lifeless.  That is until the rains arrive and overnight, life shoots forth. Lent is like that.  A time of barrenness that is quenched by the baptismal waters of Easter.  We are only a week away from the Easter Vigil: a time to review our fasting of Lent and the pending feasting of Easter.  It is a time to ready ourselves and our souls for the refreshing waters that await us!  As we move into this liminal time of Holy Week, take a minute for this prayer by William Arthur Ward:
Fast from judging others; feast on the Christ indwelling them
Fast from emphasis on difference; feast on the unity of all
Fast from thought of illness; feast on the healing power
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 divine order
Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation
Fast from negatives; feast on affirmations
Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness
Fast from self-concern (ego); feast on compassion for others
Fast from discouragement; feast on hope
Fast from suspicion; feast on truth
Fast from thoughts that weaken; feast on promised that inspire

Blessings on both from what you fast from and what you feast on!

2 comments:

Michelle said...

Thank you for this meditation!

Fran said...

This says it all... Thank you, thank you, thank you.