aIf you are fasting and - out of hospitality, someone offers you some tea or a biscuit or something. Take it and eat. Drink from that cup. There's such holiness in hospitality - such a Eucharist! Containing in itself one of the deepest, holiest and humbling communions in an act that is full of genuine kindness and care. Surely priest's hands are not the only hands that bless?
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Break your fast! I find its better to break it for kindness sake than to keep it for a holier-than thou or even for a hard-on-yourself, self-righteous, self-centred, self-disciplined sake. Its like sitting on a hard, hard pew convinced that that is the only way to get you into heaven. Fasting (like all good spiritual practices) is so much more than just what you can do, accomplish or complete - it must also leave room for what can be done for you and to you.
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So, the Breaking of our Fast, ironically, can cut or break us down to size, there where we need it most. At its best, this break bears in its heart, the gift to actually deepen our fast. For you see, it returns us to why we are doing these good and holy things - disciplines in the first place. Its like a kind, kind klup in die gesig (smack in the face).
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This Breaking of your Fast - for kindness and goodness sake - displaces the egoSelf from the proud stool on which we - with it - are sometimes perched. Landing with its bum on the floor, our more Expansive, Soft and soulfulSelf must now be kind to our egoSelf (who bruises so very easily). Then, from your more Expansive Self, say to your egoSelf, like you would to a crying or moody child on the cold kitchen floor. Say, "There, there. Let me help you onto your feet again. Let me dust you off, gently". And together let your Fast reengage, having been touched by the softness of an Inner Sage.
What a great site, Rus. I love the part about striving to not be 'bithchy or boring'...I will make time this weekend to read through all the previous posts. I know the site will inspire me to live up to my christian principles, which in the busy confusion that is my life is sometimes taken for granted. Thanks for the inspiration, much love,
ReplyDeleteVerna Jo Riddles
Thank you for your encouraging words. They mean alot. Continue to deepen your life's Journey neh, one small step at a time and, before long, you will have lived - and loved a lifetime. Happy happiness here, halfway through Lent. In all that is complex and compund, breathe deeply, and be gentle with yourSelf. Rus
ReplyDeleteTruely is a gr8 site indeed and to me it serves or symbolises a rope that keeps me intact or in touch with the love and wonderful word of the Lord, brings me back on track when I sway and nourishes and renews my faith. It puts things into perspective, makes messages clear and I would like to thank you Fr. Rus for the ray of light that brings me hope in my darknest hours. Miss Moss
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