When we are baptized into the new life of Jesus and decide to live our Baptisms, "the old order has passed away; now all is new!" (2 Cor 5:17) Fasting, for example, becomes so new that the Lord uses our fasting to drive out the most entrenched demons (Mt 17:21, NAB), to initiate missionary outreaches (Acts 13:2-3), and to establish leaders for His Church (Acts 14:23). New Testament fasting is often frequent (see 2 Cor 11:27; 6:5) and very prolonged in imitation of Jesus' forty-day fast (see Mt 4:2). Considering the newness and intensity of New Testament fasting, we would be foolish to fast in Jesus' name until we have accepted the new wineskin of life in Christ.
So let us repent of any unfaithfulness to our baptismal promises and renew these promises. Let us live the "radical newness" of our Baptisms (Lay Members of Christ's Faithful People, Pope St. John Paul II, 10). Then let us fast accordingly and be part of the Spirit's renewing of the face of the earth (Ps 104:30).
| PRAYER: | Father, teach me to fast as the early Church fasted. |
| PROMISE: | "He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and manifest the intentions of hearts. At that time, everyone will receive his praise from God." –1 Cor 4:5 |
| PRAISE: | Rhonda, a home-schooling mother, brings her three children to Mass every day. She and her husband make the Mass and the Sacraments the foundation of their children's education. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College