Dear Editor,
The pain of the hungry fast humbles you. When a person makes a conscious decision to fast and to abstain from fleshly lusts, when they are able to avoid hunger and selfgratification; it teaches self-discipline and will mean good over evil in terms of learning to control self should one be faced with real hunger or lack of basic necessities during times of hardship.
Fasting is also important because it helps us to more appreciate the plight those who are truly hungry and it is as such that God requires us to “deal our bread to the hungry”
during periods of fasting.
“Is not this the kind of fast that I have chosen? To loose the bands of wickedness, to undo heavy burdens, and to let the oppress go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? When thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh. Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy health shall spring forth speedily; and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy reward.”
In this Lenten season and period of fasting, therefore, let us remember the reason for fasting and prayer and take to heart the core meaning of religion.
Briony Irving
ibriony@yahoo.com
greenbks.blogspot.com
The pain of the hungry fast humbles you. When a person makes a conscious decision to fast and to abstain from fleshly lusts, when they are able to avoid hunger and selfgratification; it teaches self-discipline and will mean good over evil in terms of learning to control self should one be faced with real hunger or lack of basic necessities during times of hardship.
Fasting is also important because it helps us to more appreciate the plight those who are truly hungry and it is as such that God requires us to “deal our bread to the hungry”
during periods of fasting.
“Is not this the kind of fast that I have chosen? To loose the bands of wickedness, to undo heavy burdens, and to let the oppress go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? When thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh. Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy health shall spring forth speedily; and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy reward.”
In this Lenten season and period of fasting, therefore, let us remember the reason for fasting and prayer and take to heart the core meaning of religion.
Briony Irving
ibriony@yahoo.com
greenbks.blogspot.com