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Prayer is reaching out after the unseen; fasting is letting go of all that is seen and temporal. Fasting helps express, deepen, confirm the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice anything, even ourselves to attain what we seek for the kingdom
of God.
- Andrew Murray
(What kind of fasting are you needing to do these days?)
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Wis 2:1a, 12-22; Ps. 34:17-21 and 23; Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30
R. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their
distress he rescues them.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
Many are the troubles of the just man,
but out of them all the LORD delivers him.
He watches over all his bones;
not one of them shall be broken.
The LORD redeems the lives of his servants;
no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him.
USCCB Lectionary
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John 7.1-2, 10, 25-30 (On Christ's origins)
The Jews had many preconceptions about from where the Messiah would come, what he would be like, and what he
would do. Many of these preconceptions prevented them from recognizing Jesus as the one for whom they had prayed.
* Have you, like Jesus, ever been misjudged and limited by others who drew hasty conclusions about you? Is this happening on a regular basis even now? How are you handling it?
* What do you do to prevent your first impressions about other people from limiting your relationship with them?
* Pray for the grace to let God be God in your life.
Paperback, Kindle
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The Way of Perfection, by Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) Treats of the great need which we have to beseech the Eternal Father to grant us what we ask in these words: “Et ne nos inducas in tentationem, sed libera nos a malo.” Explains certain temptations. This chapter is noteworthy.
The devil has yet another temptation, which is to make us appear very poor in spirit: we are in the habit of saying that we want nothing and care nothing about anything: but as soon as the chance comes of our being given something, even though we do not in the least need it, all our poverty of
spirit disappears. Accustoming ourselves to saying this goes far towards making us think it true. It is very important always to be on the watch and to realize that this is a temptation, both in the things I have referred to and in many others. For when the Lord really gives one of these solid virtues, it seems to bring all the rest in its train: that is a very well-known fact. But I advise you once more, even if you think you possess it, to suspect that you may be mistaken; for the person who
is truly humble is always doubtful about his own virtues; very often they seem more genuine and of greater worth when he sees them in his neighbours.
- Chapter 36 (Keep in
mind that she is writing to sisters in a cloistered contemplative order.)
Paperback, Kindle
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