https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022121.cfm
I quote:
One does not live on bread alone,
but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.
end quote
Lent is often considered to be a period when we sacrifice something important enabling us not to remain dependent on those things that are habit forming, even destructive of our good health. Reducing the consumption of meat products, and lowering our alcohol intake can encourage us to be more mindful of eating healthily, towards improving our physical and mental well being.
Living alone for forty days enabled Jesus to clear His thoughts enabling Him to triumph over His ego's attempts to divert Him from The Father's path. T. S. Eliot wrote wisely when reminding us: the last and greatest treason is to do the right thing for the wrong reason. In other words when we believe that our self interest is best served by appearing holier, than the rest of the herd we have freely chosen to obey our lowest self addressing our sense of self importance.
It can be argued that fasting without prayer is nothing more than a weight reduction programme. With prayer it is said that speaking with Our Father encourages a much more resolute determination to deal with the trials that life sends each of us, by implementing the guidance received from Our Father.
If observance of Lent does not make us kinder, and more compassionate human beings when facing human need then we have failed to trust The Word of God flowing into our conscious awareness, inviting us to let Him show us the way ahead.
end
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