Listening to our brother, David’s homily last Ash Wednesday evening, took me back to the way we shared Lent in our home church of St. Christopher’s in Dallas. Fr. Matt was our rector and I remember when he gave us all an adaptation of the William Arthur Ward poem, “Fast From, Feast On” in the church newsletter on Ash Wednesday. I promptly took it to work with me and posted it on the bulletin board over my desk.
I remember how Charles and I used it through several Lents to help us stay focused on what was truly important to us in our lives before God. It was such a gift. I offer you this adaptation and hope you might find it useful too during this wonderful season of change and transformation. May you Have a Holy (Healing) Lent.
With Love,
Freda Marie+
During Lent, let us…
Fast from judging others; feast on the Christ within them.
Fast from an emphasis on difference; 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 purify.
Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger; feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism.
Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation.
Fast from worry; feast on trust in God’s Care.
Fast from unrelenting pressure; feast on unceasing prayer.
Fast from facts that depress; feast on truths that uplift.
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 problems that overwhelm; feast on prayer that undergirds.
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.
-William Arthur Ward ( Mr. Ward was an American author, teacher and pastor, and fellow TEXAN.) [1921-1994]