PRAYER AND FASTING
“Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.” – John 12:24
Ben was an addict. Not the regular kind. He was addicted to Facebook and online games. He would spend more than six hours on this daily, time he could have spent for work, for graduate school, for service, for nourishing relationships.
Then, he and his friends committed to seven days of prayer and fasting. They monitored each other several times daily. Ben identified his “enthusiasm and not addiction” for social networking sites and games as something he should sacrifice for Jesus during that period. As he denied himself of his favorite pastime, he felt as if a part of him was dying. But he would remind himself that Jesus was more important than pleasure.
After seven days that seemed like years, a new Ben had resurrected. No longer did he entertain urges to spend hours on gaming. Today, he looks back and laughs with victory. Like a wheat of grain that produces much fruit after it has died first, so is Ben’s life now. He now spends more time for more meaningful and productive things that bless his life and others. Carlo Lorenzo (carloflorenzo@yahoo.com)
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REFLECTION:
What emotional, psychological and physical needs have I created for myself that need to die so that a new me — who is more loving, more selfless and more joyful — would emerge?
Jesus, sorry for allowing my own personal created needs to blind me. Help me find joy, enthusiasm and excitement in deciding to daily make You my top priority.
St. Dismas, pray for us.
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