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Dominican Preaching through Word and Image
Weekly Photo Challenge: Perspective
An excellent practice for Lent would be to gain perspective. As Henry David Thoreau said,
It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.
Fasting from Feeling Overwhelmed
Fast from the problems that overwhelm your life and weigh you down. Ask God for help, and be present to someone else who is struggling.
Fasting from Lethargy
How about if this day in Lent we fast from lethargy. Focus on what gives you enthusiasm for life.
Fasting from Fear
Jesus was always telling his disciples, “Fear not.” So let’s fast from anxiety, fear and worry. God’s goodness permeates our lives. So let us trust in the goodness of the Divine. What a great Lenten practice!
Fasting from Discouragement
On this First Sunday in Lent, let’s fast from discouragement, and trust that the good that we do matters.
Fast from Negativity
This Saturday in Lent is a good day to fast from pessimism, and negativity. Be hopeful in your outlook on life.
Fast from Judging Others
Today’s suggestion for Lent is:
Fast from judging others. Remember how God overlooks our faults, and then remember Pope Francis’s words, “Who am I to judge?”
Fasting from Division
On this Thursday, let us fast from division. Instead, we can strive to seek for unity of heart and spirit.
Ash Wednesday
In today’s first reading from Joel we are asked,
Even now, says our God, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.
There are many more ways to fast that could actually be more meaningful that limiting our consumption of food. So, for these first few days and the first week of Lent I will offer different ways of looking at a Lenten Fast.
Today: Let us fast from anger and hatred. Give those you live and work with an extra measure of compassion.
I’d Like to Pay Better Attention
If I had my life to live over again, I would ask that not a thing be changed, but that my eyes be opened wider.
– Jules Renard
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