February 28, 2001

We have just cried out to God to "Create and make in us new and contrite hearts." (Collect of Ash Wednesday) In a few moments you will be reminded that from our earliest days we have attended to our Lord's passion and resurrection with great devotion; preparing for them "by a season of penitence and fasting." Then we will all be invited to "the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word."

We begin again the season of Lent. It is often filled with giving up, fasting from, certain things: chocolate is a favorite item, desserts and sweets are right up there, favorite TV shows or television all together find their way into our fasting. But, following a more ancient line, let me suggest that Lent is only about giving up, but also about taking on, about feasting.

I am going to share a small list of suggestions for fasting and feasting. I have seen similar lists in a variety of places and with different authors. This particular list came from the Dominican website on the Internet.

As a response to the Church's call to keep a holy Lent, as a response to the Scriptures we just heard about how our God would like us to worship—by caring for others, how our Lord would like us to fast—not with great fanfare, but with quietness and sincerity, let us see that this is a time to fast FROM certain things and to feast ON others.

Lent is a season in which we should:

FAST from judging others; FEAST on the Christ within them.

FAST from emphasis on differences; FEAST on the unity of life.

FAST from words that pollute; FEAST on phrases that purify.

FAST from anger; FEAST on patience.

FAST from pessimism; FEAST on optimism.

FAST from apparent darkness; FEAST on the reality of lights.

FAST from thoughts of illness; FEAST on the healing power of God.

FAST from discontent; FEAST on gratitude.

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 nonresistance.

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 discouragement; 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 shadows of sorrow; FEAST on the sunlight of serenity.

FAST from idle gossip; FEAST on purposeful silence.

FAST from anxiety about problems that overwhelm; FEAST on the power of prayer that under girds.

FAST from worry; FEAST on the divine-order: our God is trustworthy. (1)

So let us make this season a time to fast from the temptations that pull us away from God and each other and feast on the things that draw us nearer to God and each other. Amen.

The Rev. Daniel Rondeau
drondeau@stmargarets.org
28 February 2001

(1) Quoted in a homily found at: http://www.montgomeryumc.org/March%2012%202000.htm

And pointing to its original source: http://www.op.org/domcentral/Feedback/PreachingArticles /PreachingLent1999.html