Pause in Lent 1

Date: 17 February 2013 10:37:51

I do have to admit to feeling unLenten. I am still avoiding Church like the plague, and to start thinking about Easter (or, at least, preparing for Easter) only 48 days after Christmas seems a little bizarre. I have no inspiration whatsoever, despite Floss posting the following meditation to kickstart our thoughts.

Fast from - Feast on

Fast from judging others; Feast on the Christ dwelling within them.
Fast from emphasis on differences; Feast on the unity of life.
Fast from apparent darkness; Feast on the reality of light.
Fast from thoughts of illness; Feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from words that pollute; Feast on phrases that glorify.
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 unrelenting pressures; feast on unceasing prayer.
Fast on hostility; Feast on non-resistance.
Fast from bitterness; Feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern; Feast on compassion for others.
Fast from personal anxiety; Feast on eternal truth.
Fast from discouragements; Feast on hope.
Fast from facts that depress; Feast on verities that lift.
Fast from lethargy; Feast on enthusiasm.
Fast from thoughts that weaken; Feast on promises that inspire.
Fast from shadows of sorrow; Feast on the sunlight of serenity.
Fast from idle gossip; Feast on purposeful silence.
Fast from problems that overwhelm; Feast on prayer that strengthens.

William Arthur Ward (American author, teacher and pastor, 1921 -1994.) Actually, fasting is on my mind a lot at the moment, as MrD and I have started following the 5:2 diet (sometimes called the Fast Diet) I have found myself, when feeling hungry, reflecting on the fact that my 500 calorie "fast" day, which seems such a deprivation, would - for so many people of the world - have been a "feast" day. How we view something does depend so much on our circumstances, doesn't it? Aaron, the young man from Nor'n Ireland, who came to stay with us on his epic cycle ride, posted this on his Facebook page: First World Problems Read by Third World People Some of the comments that follow this are surprisingly vitriolic :"This is stupid and you should feel stupid if you feel anything from this video. If I'm not part of the problem, why should I be part of the so-called solution?"/ "I hate when these videos make those who are born into privilege look bad and selfish"/"Am I supposed to feel bad after watching this? Sorry, I don't. Sorry for being born the way I am!! Next time I'll make sure to be born the lowest of the low, so I won't have to feel bad for having the things I have that someone else doesn't"

Personally, I found it so moving and profound, that I'm going to donate the contents of my "sealed pot" to the charity "Water is Life". I started my sealed pot, like various other bloggers, as a thrifty measure,saving towards the cost of Christmas next year - but considering what I have and considering what others have, well...I can easily cut the cost of Christmas without losing the pleasure. My small amount of money will count for more for these people than it ever can for me.If I used it, I would be saving money; if the charity use it, they will be saving lives. There's no contest really, is there? I am not stupid for feeling something when I watch that video: I am part of humankind, just as these people are and so I am linked to them by God's love as inextricably as if they were my next door neighbours or part of my family. I am bad and selfish if I watch this and feel nothing and do nothing; I'm not sorry for being born into privilege; I am grateful...but I think that if I can watch this and feel nothing then I'm not being grateful: I'm being greedy, and selfish and heartless.

Well, goodness me! I came up with a Pause in Lent post! Fast from self-concern; Feast on compassion for others. You can join other who are pausing in Lent over at Troc, Broc et Recup'