Isaiah 58:6-7 (fasting for others)

Let's welcome God today by reflecting on this Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (archive, Facebook), based on Living Faith. All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Col. 3:17

This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly...Sharing your bread with the hungry...Clothing the naked when you see them...Isaiah 58:6-7 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "Religious practices like fasting are meant to support and nourish concrete acts of love. And our sins are somehow healed when we reach out to others in compassion. These words are sobering. They imply that my Lenten practices are not a private affair between God and me. As the old proverb says, Be not simply good; be good for something." by Sr. Melannie Svoboda, S.N.D.

Rich's comments: When we decide to do something for Lent, oftentimes we think about fasting for ourselves (e.g., giving up chocolate, caffeine, video games, Facebook, etc.); usually something that we crave that feeds an addiction. It is good to periodically screen our behaviors for addictions that can serve as idols in our life; however, these Lenten practices only seem to bring us good, and not others. This Lent, try "sharing your bread" (food, money, time, talents) with others. God of love, may my Lenten practices support my endeavors to make this world a better place. Amen.

Faith Challenges: Let's generously share the LIFE Group by forwarding a devotion or using our Facebook Group "invite people to join" link.
* NEW: Read about the power of fasting in today's One Bread, One Body devotion.
*NEW: How has fasting affected your spiritual life? Do you have a story to share that witnesses to the power of fasting? Consider commenting on our Facebook Group.

Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, Vatican, American Family Association, Priests for Life
* Let's never forget the horrific reality of abortion (images), #1 cause of death in America (23% of pregnancies). Let's courageously share ProLife Truth to create social tension for exposing abortion's unjust peace, rebuilding a Culture of Life for setting the unborn (and parents) free!

Our Prayers: Those who pray together stay together...and closer to God (see prayer/fasting footnotes).
* Prayer to end abortion, Peters family (JP), Haitian earthquake victims.

Faith Quote: "Everyone knows that fasting is a different experience from missing your dinner by accident or through poverty. Fasting asserts the will against the appetite- the reward being self-mastery and the danger pride: involuntary hunger subjects appetites and will together to the Divine Will, furnishing an occasion for submission and exposing us to the danger of rebellion." - C.S. Lewis

Through Christ Our Lord,
Rich
James 1:22

* Prayer: Prayer connects us with God's will & His miracles, changing us & helping others. 'If you pray that God will move a mountain and He doesn't, assume Christ wants you to climb it instead.
* Fasting: Let's fast from things that take our eyes off Jesus (selfishness, pornography, bitterness, criticalness, impatience, gossip, excessive video games, etc) and take on things that fix our eyes on Jesus (selflessness, kindness, compassion, forgiveness, patience, understanding, caring, helping, listening).
* Defend the unborn: 'Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to death; don't stand back and let them die' (Prov 24:11). 'Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you' (Jer 1:5). 'It is a great poverty that a child must die that you might live as you wish' (Blessed Mother Teresa).
* Evangelization: Let's make room for unbelievers (be a friend, make a friend, lead a friend to Christ) and perpetual re-evangelization of self and those near us, by way of daily prayer (relationship) and following Christ's example of selfless love, mercy, and service (Matt 28:19).