Fasting


Friday’s reflection posted by the ISN describes fasting as a way to become more present with others. The ultimate question to ask yourself when deciding what you will fast from this Lent is “What is standing between me and God, and what is distancing me from my relationship with others?” 


Is it the busyness of your life, a lack of trust, fear, anxiety, anger, insecurity, or pessimism? Fasting during Lent can mean something different to everyone. The beauty of this Lenten journey is that in finding what you wish to fast from, you are also able to discover what practices and habits will bring you closer to God. As you reflect this season, consider what you may do to nourish your relationship with yourself, with God, and with others. Perhaps there is something new you can learn, maybe there’s a conversation to be had with a loved one, maybe this Lent is simply a time you need to pause and reflect. Whatever you choose to do this Lent, be gentle with yourself and open to what these next few weeks have in store for you.


Below is a prayer for God to help guide each of us on our own spiritual journeys this Lenten season: 


Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace: A Prayer for Civility

(Inspired by Nine Rules for Civility from the Catholic Tradition, Bishop Zubik)


Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where uncivil words prevail, show me how to model love.

Help me remember the God-given dignity of all and invite others to do the same.

Show me how to build bridges and not walls and see first what unites us rather than how we diverge.

Let me seek to understand before asking to be understood.

Give me a listening heart filled with empathy and compassion.

May I be clear in sharing my own position and respectful and civil in describing those of others.

Let me never tolerate hateful ideas.

May I invite all to charity and love.

Lord, help me to imitate your compassion and mercy.

Make me an instrument of your peace. Amen. 


Kristen S.


Comments

  1. Ada Marie BelsitoFebruary 22, 2021 at 2:08 PM

    A beautiful play on words of the St. Francis prayer which is one of my favorites. I'll be saying this a lot during Lent and beyond. Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lucretia HMarch 10, 2021 at 12:28 PM

    I am so glad we found this prayer. It has opened so many doors to discussion with other.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Reflection of Kindness and Justice

Image
https://ignatiansolidarity.net/blog/2021/03/08/kindness-justice/           As I read today’s reflection, I am struck once again by the wisdom of youth.  Working as a tutor for at-risk students at Hillside Work and Scholarship, and advising the ACTS Youth Council, I am frequently in the company of young people who open my eyes with fresh perspectives and re-ignite my enthusiasm for working for justice and equity.           High school senior Timmy Lake’s assertion that once we observe injustice, we must act with kindness, offers the opportunity to begin the work with small, humble actions.  Reaching out to a child who has been hurt by unkind words because of being different, listening to a teen who is struggling with issues of racial inequity, helping a recent immigrant navigate the confusing systems of a new country—all these kindnesses move us from the passive world of observing injustice to the acti...
Read more

Even Little Actions Make a Difference

Image
https://ignatiansolidarity.net/blog/2021/03/09/grace-mercy-forgiveness-rooted-in-accountability/ The last few days of the Ignatian Reflection got me thinking. Our actions can be bold.  How is that?  Marching in protest rallies, calling on my Legislative Representatives when they make changes that make a difference for those who are working a full-time job and take home, (again take home), $400 a week…when just the rent is over $1000 a month or when food stamps are cut (food, a basic need).  It may also mean writing letters to the editor or signing a petition against gun violence.  Maybe it is looking at my own guns.  Maybe it is looking at my activities that are killing the air I breathe. My actions can also be a little quieter and more private.  Like the day I drove by a homeless man and felt guilty because I bought these awesome homemade oatmeal cookies and decided to give them to him.  That was a sacrifice, because when I had my afternoon coffee, ...
Read more