 Fr.
Tom's Tomes March 12, 2006
As we begin the second week of Lent we stop to think about how we are incorporating the disciplines of prayer, fasting and alms giving in our lives. As we focus on these disciplines we are encouraged to deepen our relationship with God. Our lives are busy and by taking these 40 days to contemplate on returning to the Lord we make an effort in our lives not to sin. The discipline of fasting is very difficult. Fasting is not just giving up but it is the attitude we have of doing without what we are accustomed to having. To think about giving up eating between meals or giving up chocolate or to not drink beer during Lent may be something a person is accustomed to doing. It is comfortable for us to do these things. These types of actions make our lives more pleasing to ourselves. By fasting and giving up something we are taking away the comforts of our lives to focus upon the power and love of God. When we stop to think about what we are doing we are asking God to help us in keeping these actions of fasting realizing it is with God’s help we can do these things. Doing without when we are used to doing with something is no easy challenge. God is an important part of our lives. We need to know without the power and strength of God in our lives we can do nothing. When we get into a situation in which we need God it is then we turn to God. The season of Lent focuses our attention on the need to have God in our lives always. We should recognize each and every day we can not do without God. When life gets comfortable, when things are going good, people tend to rely more on themselves than on God. Lent is an opportunity each year to stop and remember we need God always. In the disciplines of Lent we need to focus on prayer, fasting and giving alms so that we see the need to have God always as the most important part of our lives. God Bless You. |