“Fasting reduces selfishness within us and opens our hearts to the poor.” (From the Preface of Lent)
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Day 3: “The Benefits of Fasting”
Today, on the third day of our Lenten journey, the readings introduce us to the themes of fasting and loving our enemies.
Fasting—and by this we mean, first and foremost, bodily fasting, which was very common in the Church in times past—is a very good and beneficial practice for our spiritual life in following Christ. Without a doubt, it is a sacrifice pleasing to God if it is accompanied by the struggle for holiness in general. The reading from the Book of Isaiah points out the frequent abuses that displeased God in the fasting practiced by His people. It is easy to understand that this practice can only be pleasing in His eyes when it is done with a sincere heart.
A WAY TO LOVE YOUR ENEMIES
“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:44).
“THE LORD WAS AMAZED”
PRELIMINARY NOTE: This reflection relates to today’s daily meditation (en.elijamission.net) and is probably only understandable in that context.
Day 2: ‘In the School of Prayer’
After passing through the door of Ash Wednesday, today’s traditional liturgy presents us with a story from the prophet Isaiah. He was sent to deliver sad news to King Hezekiah, who was terminally ill: “Thus says the LORD: Set your house in order; for you shall die, you shall not recover.” (Is 38:1b).
The king was deeply moved by this message, for he was clearly not yet ready to die. Perhaps he remembered the promise of a long and happy life for those who kept the covenant. His pain must have been even greater when he realized that he would die without leaving an heir to the throne. The story continues:
“Hezeki′ah turned his face to the wall, and prayed to the Lord, and said, “Remember now, O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in thy sight.” And Hezeki′ah wept bitterly.” (vv. 2–3).
“A SECRET OF LOVE”
PRELIMINARY NOTE: During these forty days, the “3 Minutes for Abba” are presented as part of the daily meditations, which form a kind of spiritual retreat for Lent: https://en.elijamission.net/category/3-minutes-for-god-the-father/
“Your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Mt 6:4b)
LENTEN SPIRITUAL RETREAT – Day 1: “A path of conversion, penance, and prayer”
Introductory Reflections
Lent occupies a very important place in the liturgical year. It begins today with Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday. For forty days and forty nights, the faithful embark on a journey of profound conversion to prepare for the celebration of Easter.
The flood lasted forty days and forty nights; it took Israel forty years to cross the desert before entering the Promised Land; forty days Moses fasted before receiving the Law for his people; forty days the prophet Elijah made his pilgrimage to Mount Horeb; and forty days and forty nights Our Lord Jesus Christ fasted in the desert before beginning His public ministry and revealing Himself as the Son of God.
THE LORD GOD WIPES AWAY THE TEARS
“He will swallow up death for ever, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces” (Isaiah 25:8).
Dear Father, the day is coming when You will remind us through Your Church of the great work You have accomplished through Your Son. There on Golgotha, You destroyed death forever. Then the tears will be wiped away, for every person can receive eternal life if they believe in Your Son and recognize Your love.
Some aspects of voluntary poverty
Today I would like to conclude this short series in which we have addressed certain aspects of the three evangelical counsels and their application by the Lord’s disciples who live in the world. As far as the third counsel is concerned, it is not so easy to apply it in the world, since voluntary poverty for the Lord’s sake can take on very radical forms, as we see both in the New Testament and in many examples throughout the history of the Church.
Just think of the community of goods in the early Church, as presented to us in the Acts of the Apostles (cf. Acts 2:44–45). We can also recall the hermits and the many monastic communities who made this ideal a reality, abandoning everything to follow Christ and giving their possessions to the poor. To this day, this remains an immensely valuable call. May God grant that many respond to it and that there continue to be communities that make it a reality.
INCLINE YOUR EAR
“Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live” (Isaiah 55:3).