FOCUSING ON FASTING AND FEASTING DURING THESE 40 DAYS..........

Having heard thirteen more student Confessions this morning and then made another four sick calls to homebound parishioners to celebrate the Sacraments of Anointing, Reconciliation, and Eucharist, with them, I returned to Sacred Heart rectory to write the following blog column after lunch..........In the spirit of Repentance, Conversion, Sacrifice, and Self Denial, as Catholic-Christians we pray, fast, and do charitable works during these 40 Days of Lent in preparation for the Paschal Mystery of Easter. Therefore, Lent is a time of fasting from a number of things, so that we are able to feast on a number of other even more important things. In the words of the poet, William Arthur Ward, in a poem titled, "Fasting And Feasting" he writes,

"Fast from judging others;Feast on the Christ dwelling in them.
Fast from emphasis on differences; Feast on the unity of all life.
Fast from thoughts of illness; Feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from words that pollute; Feast on phrases that purify.
Fast from discontent; Feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger; Feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism; Feast on optimism.
Fast from worry; Feast on divine order.
Fast from complaining; Feast on appreciation.
Fast from negatives; Feast on affirmatives.
Fast from bitterness; Feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern; Feast on compassion for others.
Fast from discouragement; Feast on hope.
Fast from suspicion; Feast on truth.
Fast from thoughts that weaken; Feast on promises that inspire".

May your personal and communal fasting and feasting bring you happiness and joy this Lent and in the Eternal Easter of God's Kingdom..........In The Fruitfulness Of Fasting And Feasting For
Christ, Fr. Troy