As I sit at my computer I am thinking of the food I have eaten so far today - was I really hungry? or do I eat to fill other needs?

We all have something in our life that is a vice that keeps us from searching deeper into our lives to find greater meaning. I'm reading the Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis with a group and in the first chapter it's revealed that one way the "devil" gets us to not focus on what's important is by diverting our attention with hunger or food. What a thought! As Lent continues to come closer it's a good time to revisit the idea of fasting and instilling within us self-discipline!

Food may or may not be your vice, years ago I decided for Lent I would give up "fun" reading - and only allowed myself to read Scripture or books connected to Catholic teaching. That proved to be a great way to stop filling my mind with murder mysteries and instead to fill my mind with good things. I did this for a couple of years until I realized that I had naturally changed my reading habits and my "fun" reading now was Scripture and Catholic teaching! It's still rare to see me with much else in my hand. I have a few good "fun" reads at home - but no murder mysteries waiting in that stack!

This year food is my vice, so back to the basics for me - how about you? What do you need to fast from this year?