Fourth Sunday In Lent

~ Fasting means consuming less – or sometimes nothing. Abstinence means avoiding a certain kind of thing, such as meat or screen time. Both practices are hallmarks of Lent and they may be applied to a wide variety of things. Fasting and abstinence discipline the body to rely less on the things of this world; they create in us a clear-headed dependence on God, whose love fulfills our every need.

Fasting from food affects the body and shapes the spirit. Here are the minimum requirements for most adult Catholics: On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday: we are to fast by eating only one full meal, two smaller meals, and nothing in between. On Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all the Fridays of Lent we are to abstain from eating meat. These practices bind Catholics together in a small, but common effort. If you are able, you may choose to fast and abstain beyond that minimum. Jesus and Moses and Elijah fasted for forty days! Make some good decisions about what you will eat or drink, and when you will eat or drink during these forty days.

Think of how you care for your body, the temple of the Holy Spirit. What to you eat or drink that you
should abstain from? What has your doctor advised you to eat more of and what less of? Is it time to lock
the liquor cabinet, shut the bag of chips, stop buying the chocolate, or purge the freezer of ice cream and frozen treats? What choices can you make in solidarity with the poor? Eat less meat, less seafood. Choose grains and vegetables in place of animal foods to make the world more just. Prepare simple foods yourself instead of going out to restaurants. Learn to love the gifts of the earth and the work of human hands.

Fasting and abstaining will put you in touch with your body and its cravings, help you to identify with the
poor and the hungry, strengthen your resolve, clear your thinking, and make you more attentive to prayer
and more thoughtful of others, but remember to condition your body as you condition your soul. Including exercise as part of your Lenten regimen will enhance the efforts of your Lenten fast. You’ll find that you have more energy for prayer and service to others. Work out a plan with friends and you will have extra reasons to be faithful to your commitment.

If you give time this Lent to reading, to prayer, and to good works, where will this time come from? Do you need to fast from time in front of television or computer or phone screens? Television, the internet, and our cell phones make genuine contributions for life, but they can often serve our craving for distraction. Set aside time for a while and fill your time with more natural delights. Is this Lent the time to fast from nicotine, alcohol, gambling, pornography? Are you behaving in some ways that do not conform to the moral standards of our faith? Are you unconsciously wasting resources? Are you neglecting someone or something in the crush of busyness? Besides from food, how else can you be fasting and abstaining this Lent? May God bless our Lenten fast!

Next week: almsgiving