Thoughts from Pope Francis. "Do you want to fast this Lent? Fast from hurting words, and say kind words. Fast from sadness, and be filled with gratitude. Fast from anger and be filled with patience. Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope. Fast from worries and have trust in God. Fast from complaints; contemplate simplicity. Fast from pressures and be prayerful. Fast from bitterness; fill your hearts with joy. Fast from selfishness, and be compassionate. Fast from grudges, and be reconciled. Fast from words; be silent and listen."

Fasting is part of our Lenten regimen. Most of us think only of fasting from food, which is good. Do we think about fasting from sin and what leads us to sin? The Pharisees fasted regularly from food, but they still found fault with the good words and deeds of Jesus. Would they had fasted from pride and a hardened heart. True fasting from food is to enable us to more readily deal with the sins which prevent us from growing in holiness before the Lord. Uprooting sin should be our focus during the season of Lent.