Matthew 6:1-6,16-18
JEsus at the beginning of his ministry, in his first inaugural address brings to the front the foundation of the christian life: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
Theses are familiar tools to deeper our relationship with God. We speak of them often and we try to make them a part of our life at least during the 40 days of lent.
But the fact that JEsus mentions these at the beginning of his ministry suggest that perhaps these are important not just during lent but essential ingredients to our everyday and ordinary journey with God and neighbor.
Here are a few tidbits on fasting that Pope Benedict reminded the faithful in is lenten message, just in case we forgot.
*True fasting is directed toward the true food which is doing the Father's will
*the believer when fasting intends to submit himself humble to God trusting his goodness and mercy for life as he enters in to self depravation
*Fasting is the soul of prayer
*Faithful practice of fasting contributes moreover to conferring unity to the whole person, body and soul, helping us to avoid sin and grow in intimacy with the Lord
*fasting nurtures our interior disposition to listen to Christ and thus be fed by his saving word
*fasting and prayer allow Christ to come and satisfy the deepest hunger of the human heart: hunger and thirst for God
*Using words, food, drink, sleep and amusement sparingly sharpens our alertness with custody of our senses
*prayer and fasting prepares us and sustains us in the spiritual battle and restores friendship with God
As JOhn Paul II taught prayer, fasting, almsgiving allows us to make a complete gift of self to God.
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