Lent Fasting In Lent many Christians commit to

Lent: Fasting In Lent, many Christians commit to fasting, as well as giving up certain luxuries as a means to meditate on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. People reflect on what separates them from God and others. Fasting can be a way of doing penance and/or removing distractions. It is the fundraising week for year 9

Monday 9 th March Idea: fast from sweets and chocolates Dear God, I know you receive what is in my heart. Let me be inspired by your words and by the actions of your son, Jesus. Guide me to make sacrifices this Lent with greater attention to you and to those around me. Amen.

Words of the day The prefix ex-, with its variants e- and ec-, mean out of, from An easy way to remember that the prefix ex- means “out” is through the word exit, for when you exit a room, you go “out” of it.

Monday 9 th March: excoriate �Criticise someone severely. �He excoriated the government for censorship.

Monday 9 th March Cafod prayer Idea: Fast from sweets or chocolates

Tuesday 10 th March A reading from the prophet Isaiah They say, ‘To honour you we had special fast days when we gave up eating. But you didn’t see. We humbled ourselves to honour you. But you didn’t notice. ’” But the Lord says, “You do what pleases yourselves on these special days. And you are unfair to your workers. On these special fast days when you do not eat, you argue and fight. You hit each other with your fists. You cannot do these things as you do now and believe I will listen to your prayers. This kind of special fast day is not what I want. This is not the way I want people to be sorry for what they have done. I don’t want people just to bow their heads like a plant. I don’t want them to wear rough cloth and lie in ashes to show their sadness. This is what you do on your special days when you do not eat. But do you think this is what the Lord wants? “I will tell you the kind of special fast I want you to free the people you have put in prison unfairly. Undo their chains. Free those to whom you are unfair. Free them from their hard labour. I want you to share your food with hungry people. I want you to bring poor, homeless people into your own homes. When you see someone who has no clothes, give him yours. Don’t refuse to help your own relatives. If you do these things, your light will shine like the dawn.

Tuesday 10 th March: excursion �A short journey or trip, especially one taken as a leisure activity. �An excursion to London Zoo.

Tuesday 10 th March Dear Jesus, when you fasted in the desert, You must have been very hungry and thirsty. During this Lenten season, help us fast. Help us realize that some boys and girls are always hungry or thirsty. Maybe by giving up our favourite food or drink or sweet, We can have an idea of how that feels. Give us the strength to do this and help us offer up this sacrifice to you who sacrificed yourself. Amen. Idea: No fizzy drinks and pray especially for those who are hungry or thirsty in the world

Wednesday 11 th March Idea: no smartphone today Why would it be good for you to limit your screen time? Make a plan and stick to it. Look for ways to connect with people in different ways: Have a proper conversation. Notice your behaviour. At the beginning you might find yourself reaching for your phone every time you are bored or lonely. A digital fast is not easy to start. Loving God, Help us to walk through this season intentionally, removing distractions that take our focus from you away. May we quiet the noise that pulls us away from you. May we simplify where we have been stressed, may we surrender our burdens to you. Amen. Notice what your fast is telling you. What impact does social media have on you? Feed your mind without scrolling. Read a book instead or go for a walk and let your mind wander.

Wednesday 11 th March: exhume �Dig out something (especially a corpse) from the ground. �The bodies were exhumed on the orders of the judge.

Wednesday 11 th March Fast from your smartphone, feast on being present with people

Thursday 12 th March Fast from electricity, buying unnecessary things, meat (and dairy), electronic media, using the car. Fast from silence and ignorance: talk about the climate crisis and raise awareness, learn more about the world around us. Response: God of Creation, help us to respect and renew the Earth. We pray for the waters of the world, that they may be restored to health and filled with life. R/ We pray for Earth’s soil, that its richness be protected to assure abundant harvests for all. R/ We pray for all creatures who share Earth with us, that their beauty and diversity will be preserved. We pray for our brothers and sisters around the world who have been and will be directly impacted by the effects of climate change. R/ We pray for future generations, may they learn from our environmental irresponsibility, and be good stewards living simply and in harmony with all your creation. R/ We pray for all human beings, that we will be filled with a spirit of concern for the future of our environment. R/ We pray for wisdom for decision makers around the world, for creative and just solutions to protect all of creation. R/

Thursday 12 th March: extricate �Free (someone or something) from a constraint or difficulty. �He was trying to extricate himself from official duties.

Thursday 12 th March Idea: Fast from plastic Loving God, let us ensure that we care for all of creation. Help us to avoid waste and excess in our daily lives and to appreciate the wonders of the natural world. As individuals and as a school community, help us to treasure this earth and be its best caretakers. Help us to support and develop environmental projects that will leave a lasting legacy for the benefit of our earth. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Friday 13 th March Living God, Our strength and help We turn to you in our distress. May the spirit of compassion Comfort and protect your people. In the parched lands and failed harvests We see you hungry. May the shadow of that hunger Be broken by the light of your hope. In our hearts we hold a vision Of a better world. May we, by our actions Bear witness to your love. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen. Idea: Have a simple meal like soup and bread and give what you save to a charity supporting the poor, such as Caritas or Cafod.

Friday 13 th March: exonerate �To absolve someone from blame for a fault or wrongdoing. �An inquiry exonerated those involved in the scandal.

Friday 13 th March Examen Be silent and place yourself in God’s loving presence. Think about the good things that have happened this week and give thanks. Who have you left a good memory with this week? Look back over your week. Where have you felt joy and what has been difficult and challenged you? In the quiet of your heart, tell God about your experiences. Give thanks for who you are. As you look ahead, with what spirit will you enter next week? Ask God to help you.