A Different Kind of Fasting

Pope Francis has some suggestions for fasting this Lent. He suggests that we fast from hurting words and say kind words; fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude; fast from anger and be filled with patience; fast from pessimism and be filled with hope; fast from worries and have trust in God; fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity; fast from pressures and fill your hearts with joy; fast from selfishness and be compssionate to others; fast from grudges and be reconciled; fast from words and be silent so you can listen.

These are challenging recommendations. It's much easier to fast from candy or some favorite food. But these require a change of heart and attitude. When we look at our political situation in the United States, we can easily become pessimistic,but we need to try to find reasons to hope. When we see our health diminishing, we start worryiing, instead of trusting God's loving care. When we see so much suffering and injustice in the world, we often become sad, but we need to be grateful for the good things that people do. Maybe each of us could pick two or three of these recommendations to fast from this Lent.

When Lent seems long, I try to remember the Chosen People wandering in the desert for forty years before they finally arrive at the Promised Land.They often became disheartened and grumbled, but Moses kept encouraging them. God understands our discourageement and failures but blesses our efforts to keep trying. Remember, we do not journey alone.