From Steve Hammond, Principal

Chapel Reflection

February14, 2007

Are You Going Too Fast? Are You Going to Fast?

The title of today’s chapel reflection is a “double entendre” which means: a word or a phrase that has a double meaning. The title can be understood in two ways. You are going to have to turn your radio on and keep them on today, because we are going to tie the “double entendre” into what Jesus says in the Gospel reading.  And what Jesus says in the Gospel today is one of the most powerful teachings that he offers us as His followers.

Are you going too fast?  Our society rushes through life at a speed that goes far beyond what our bodies were made for. Mentally, intellectually, emotionally, psychologically….we are moving a speeds that even a few years ago could not be imagined.

Gospel  Lk 6:27-38

Jesus said to his disciples:
“To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well,
and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic.
Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?
Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you,
what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same.
If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you?
Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount.
But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back;
then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High,
for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

“Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give, and gifts will be given to you;
a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,
will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure
will in return be measured out to you.”

Today is the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time.  The last Sunday before Lent begins. Ordinary time doesn’t mean that it’s just “plain” time.  It just means that the readings are in a certain order.

Lent is 40 days before Easter and a time for self reflection, prayer, alms giving and fasting.  It is a time when we walk with Jesus along his difficult path to Calvary and a time to reflect upon what we need to do to become better people.  Lent is a holy time of self reflection.

When does Lent start?  Lent begins with Ash Wednesday where we get ashes placed on our foreheads to remind us that we are mortal, made from the dust of the earth and one day will go back to the earth. The ashes are a great reminder that we should make the most of our lives by not wasting an opportunity to help people.

What is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday called?  Mardi Gras!  This is a French word which means “Fat Tuesday” because it is traditional in many cultures to have a big party and eat all you want on the day before the Lenten fasting begins!  Many people believe that the Mardi Gras celebration began in the United States in New Orleans, but actually it began in the city of Mobile, Alabama!

Let’s go back to the question: Are you going too fast?  Our lives today move at a speed that is so very fast.

List some examples:

We can choose to slow down by using our time better.

What ways can we do this?

“Early to bed and early to rise, man healthy, wealthy and wise.”

We can choose to slow down and be in the moment.

Here is a song that we sing often at Saint Patrick. The song is called, Live, Laugh Love and it is all about slowing down and living in the moment. Let’s sing it together!

 Jesus’ admonition in the Gospel today:

 Love your enemies:   Pray for them:  Do good to them.  All major religions say many things that are similar to each other. One example is the golden rule: Do unto others what you would have them do unto you.  But what Jesus says in the Gospel is a totally unique comment to Christianity. You don’t find this in the faiths of the Hindu, Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, etc. Scholars believe that this remarkable statement is unique to Jesus.

What does it this mean to you to “love your enemies”?

Who might your enemies be?

 Reflection piece:  Close your eyes and visualize yourself praying for your enemies. Who are they?  Where are you while you are praying?  What are you actually saying to God?

Now remember the double entendre?  Listen.  This Lent, Are You Going to Fast?

What is meant by “fasting” in Lent?

“Fasting is the reduction of one's intake of food to one full meal (which may contain meat) and two small meals (known liturgically as collations, taken in the morning and the evening). Eating solid food between meals is not permitted. Fasting is required of the faithful on specified days.”

“Complete abstinence is the avoidance of meat for the entire day. Partial abstinence prescribes that meat be taken only once during the course of the day.”

 “In the United States, there are only two obligatory days of fast - Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. The Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence: those observing the practice may not eat meat.”

 “Those who are excused from fast or abstinence Besides those outside the age limits, those of unsound mind, the sick, the frail, pregnant or nursing women according to need for meat or nourishment, manual laborers according to need, guests at a meal who cannot excuse themselves without giving great offense or causing enmity and other situations of moral or physical impossibility to observe the penitential discipline.”

 “The early Church had a practice of a Wednesday and Saturday fast. This fast could be the same as the Church's law (one main meal and two smaller ones) or stricter, even bread and water. Such freely chosen fasting could also consist in giving up something one enjoys - candy, soft drinks, smoking, that cocktail before supper, and so on. This is left to the individual.”

 Now none of the students in this auditorium are required to fast. But you can “fast” in other ways.  By sacrificing or giving up something.  What might you give up this lent?

 Let’s make Lent a great and holy time this year.  It is a very personal time. Lent starts next Wednesday, so start thinking about the kind of “fast” that you will make. So, the two questions, “Are you going TOO fast?” And “Are you going TO fast?” are really quite related. Remember, when we fast, we slow down.  And when we slow down, we can better reflect. And when we reflect we can see better what we need to do, like love our enemies.

 God bless you!