Fasting and Feasting
A Reflection by Christine Jurisich
“Really God? This is still an issue?” I find myself having this conversation with God every now and then. The more I grow, the more I see I have to learn. There will always be fears, habits, and attitudes I think I have finished wrestling with that resurface. I am thankful there is a focused time and space during Lent every year to challenge me to confront them so I can continue to grow into wholeness with God.
Lent is the 40-day period of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that many Christian churches observe in preparation for Easter. In his book, “Bread for the Journey,” Catholic priest, author, and theologian Henri Nouwen wrote:
Lent is the most important time of the year to nurture our inner life. It is the time during which we not only prepare ourselves to celebrate the mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus, but also the death and resurrection that constantly takes place within us.
Did you take one of my recent online or in-person “Finding Your Divine Rhythm” retreats? If so, you remember I talked about the importance of living through the liturgical season as a way to connect with your Divine rhythm throughout the year.
We can easily get swept away in the busy-ness of life. Spiritual growth may be that one book or retreat you want to get to when you have time. That is the beauty of the liturgical year. It is a cycle of seasons and feasts that celebrate and commemorate the life of Christ. The season provides a structure within which the story of Jesus and the Gospel message are recounted throughout the year, and people are reminded about the significant aspects of the Christian Faith.
When you live intentionally through the liturgical season of Lent, you are given special time to embrace the fullness of the spiritual growth journey that incorporates the ever-evolving cycle of death into new life.
Taking forty days to experience a new prayer practice, engage in a spiritual book, serve the community in a new way, or give up some behavior that gets in the way of being all that God created you to be can be a profound gift.
It is common to focus on giving something up during Lent. This time of fasting can help us outgrow unhealthy habits or attitudes that get in the way of our relationship with God. Yet there is much to be gained from tending to feasting as well. I invite you to ponder on the following fasting and feasting suggestions first written and compiled by Sr. Paula Hagen, OSB. Notice what rises in you. In what areas would you like to grow during this Lenten season?
Fast from judging others. Feast on the Christ dwelling within.
Fast from emphasis on differences. Feast on the spark of Divinity within each person.
Fast from words that hurt. Feast on extending kindness through actions.
Fast from discontent. Feast on patience.
Fast from unresolved anger. Feast on praise for the beauty of creation.
Fast from pessimism. Feast on finding the positive.
Fast from worry. Feast on appreciation of all that is.
Fast from complaining. Feast on acknowledging what is good.
Fast from hostility. Feast on radical forgiveness.
Fast from bitterness. Feast on compassion for others.
Fast from self-centeredness. Feast on unconditional love.
Fast from personal anxiety. Feast on prayerful hope.
Fast from holding onto resentments. Feast on truths that liberate and uplift.
Fast from idle gossip. Feast on words of affirmation.
Fast from blame. Feast on restful silence.
Which of these fasting and feasting suggestions stand out for you? How might you create a Lenten practice to guide your growth through this fasting and feasting you have called out?
I wish you a fruitful Lenten season that allows for intentional and meaningful times to reflect and practice in a renewing way.
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Which of these fasting and feasting suggestions stand out for you?