Greetings,

Fasting is one of the practices that is sometimes practiced by Christians during Lent.  Fasting dates back thousands of years and while there are no hard and fast rules about it, for Christians it is a spiritual discipline which is used to deepen our relationship with God.  In choosing to give up something, the energy that is put into that thing can be focused on God and building relationship.

Pope Francis suggests some different ways that we might fast this Lent:

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 being worried and trust in God.
Fast from complaints: contemplate simplicity.
Fast from pressures and be prayerful.
Fast from bitterness and fill your heart with joy.
Fast from selfishness and be compassionate.
Fast from grudges and be reconciled.
Fast from words: be silent and listen.

This is certainly something to think about this Lenten season.  Even if we only work at one of these, it will make a difference to ourselves and others.

Blessings – Heather (she/her).