20 February.   SEE:   Fasting. The participants of the family groups were thinking about ways to fast so as to be life-giving. “Isaiah’s reading gives us good ideas,” Vincent said.  “Our family has also made up a list of “Acts of Love and Sacrifice,” with many suggestions for fasting to choose from.  We have added more environmental ideas too, like saving water and electricity, caring for nature, finding out more about conservation, and the CO2 everyone is talking about, etc.“ Jackson suggested a weekly family fast day and donating the money saved to charity, e.g. the SSVP, for a meal for a poor family. 

St Francis, even as a young boy, had been generous with the poor. When he was discovering his vocation there was a serious break-down in his relationship with his father, because he started giving away his father’s goods, money and food.  For himself, he prayed and fasted constantly as a penance and denied himself any pleasure in food. From the Life of St Francis of Assisi by St Bonaventure.  “When he perceived by his example that many were inspired to bear the Cross of Christ with fervour, he himself was inspired, like a good leader of the army of Christ, to consider the saying, “They that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh and its emotions and lusts.” He restrained his sensual appetites with such strict discipline that he would barely take what was necessary to support life, as it was difficult to satisfy the needs of the body without yielding to the inclinations of the senses. He seldom allowed himself cooked food and would either sprinkle it with ashes, or by pouring water over it, would as far as possible destroy its savour and taste.  He was always discovering methods of more rigorous abstinence.”

JUDGE, reflect and share.  Scripture:  “Thus says the Lord God, “Behold in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure and oppress all your workers.  You fast only to quarrel and to fight. But Is not the fast that I choose to loosen the bonds of wickedness, let the oppressed go free and to break every yoke?  Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house, when you see the naked to cover him and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?  Isaiah 58: 1-9.     Pope Francis:   Social love is the key to authentic development.  In order to make society more human, more worthy of the human person, love in social life – political, economic and cultural – must be given renewed value and become the constant and highest norm for all activity.LS 231.  Pope Leo: This Christocentric and deeply ecclesial perspective of St Augustine leads us to affirm that offerings, when born of love, not only alleviate the needs of one’s brother or sister, but also purify the heart of the giver, if he or she is willing to change. Indeed, in the words of Pseudo-Augustine: “almsgiving can be beneficial to you in erasing past sins, if you have amended your ways.”  DT 45. From Lenten Message, “Fast from using harsh words”

ACT AND PRAY.    Do you consider St Francis’ fasting to be excessive?  In what ways can we as a family practise doing penance by fasting?  Reflect on the Laudato Si goal of “sustainable living.” The Adoption of Sustainable Lifestyles is about the ideal of sufficiency in the use of resources and energy. See suggestions for eco-family friendly sacrifices. 

Eco-friendly Lenten Acts of Love and Sacrifice to do or develop for Families at Home.  “Cry of the earth, cry of the poor.”

  • Study and read. Spend time together discovering St Francis, Pope Francis and Pope Leo’s writings, especially on poor. Share and pray.
  • Do. A family project or activity, nature walk, plant, bird watch. Check carbon footprint. Clean-up, sort clothes and other belongings and donate for the poor. Fast.  Visit another person or family. 
  • Save, reuse, recycle.  Water & electricity – no waste. Save money by fasting.  Support projects –food garden, security, charity,
  • Care for others.   Elderly, sick,  poor, lonely, share.   
  • Pray. Meet, share and pray also with other religions for peace & our earth. Pray Stations of the Cross for Families
  • Church.  Mass. Reconciliation/confession. Stations of the cross, Rosary.