by Prince Mathew
Preface for Meditation
Fasting is a beautiful period to do good deeds by helping the poor, feeding the
hungry, visiting the sick, and taking care of the needs of others. The person
who fasts by not yielding to the needs of the flesh, will feel the needs of
others and his heart will be moved to serve them. The asceticism of fasting
teaches us to care for the heavenly and not be concerned with the earthly. Thus
it becomes easy to forsake our material possessions and offer them to the needy.
Lent is training for simple life. Fasting and vegetarianism during the Lent are
invitation to overcome the enslaving power of consumerist culture which is based
on greed. In the midst of prosperity and over consumption we are trained to
enjoy the beauty of a simple life based on need. Lent gives us a wonderful
experience of simple life. This freedom from the grip of over luxurious life and
enslaving consumerist culture make us sensitive to the basic needs of the poor
and the suffering and share with them our resources.
Fasting is more than not eating food. It is more important to fast from sin.
Besides controlling what goes into our mouths, we must control what comes out of
our mouths as well. Are our words pleasing to God, or do we curse God or our
brother? The other members of the body also need to fast: our eyes from seeing
evil, our ears from hearing evil, our limbs from participating in anything that
is not of God. Most important of all, we need to control our thoughts, for
thoughts are the source of our actions, whether good or evil. Let the words of
GOD overcome all our five senses on this lent days.
Bible Reading: Evening
* St. Matthew 18: 1-11
Morning
* Exodus34: 1-17
* Proverbs7: 1-11
* Zechariah8: 1-8
* II I John 1: 1-15
* I Corinthians 8: 1-13
* St. Luke11: 1-13
Bible Verse for the day:
"Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the
kingdom of heaven". St. Matthew 18:4
The Holy Lent Archives | Yesterday | Tomorrow