Lenten Question
Q: Why is giving up something for Lent such a salutary custom?
A: By denying ourselves something we enjoy, we discipline our wills so that we are not slaves to our pleasures. Just as indulging the pleasure of eating leads to physical flabbiness and, if this is great enough, an inability to perform in physically demanding situations, indulging in pleasure in general leads to spiritual flabbiness and, if this is great enough, an inability to perform in spiritually demanding situations, when the demands of morality require us to sacrifice something pleasurable (such as sex before marriage or not within the confines of marriage) or endure hardship (such as being scorned or persecuted for the faith).
By disciplining the will to refuse pleasures when they are not sinful, a habit is developed which allows the will to refuse pleasures when they are sinful. There are few better ways to keep one's priorities straight than by periodically denying ourselves things of lesser priority to show us that they are not necessary and focus our attention on what is necessary.
Reflection.
HOW TO FAST
Fast from judging others;
Feast on Christ dwelling in them.
Fast from apparent darkness;
Feast on the reality of light.
Fast from pessimism;
Feast on optimism.
Fast from thoughts of illness;
Feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from words that pollute;
Feast on phrases that purify.
Fast from anger;
Feast on patience.
Fast from worry;
Feast on Divine Providence.
Fast from unrelenting pressure;
Feast on unceasing prayer.
Fast from negatives;
Feast on positives.
Fast from complaining;
Feast on appreciation.
Fast from hostility;
Feast on non-resistance.
Fast from bitterness;
Feast on forgiveness.
Fast from anxiety;
Feast on hope.
Fast from yourself;
Feast on a silent heart.