January 7 Genesis 13-15 & Mark 2:18-28

Family! Sometimes there is strife, so Abram finally said “Let there be no strife between you and me, or between your herders and my herders, for we are kindred. Is not the whole land available? Please separate from me. If you prefer the left, I will go to the right; if you prefer the right, I will go to the left.” Are there any troubles in your family? Is it time to talk? Is it time to pray for their good? Yes, I too have trouble pronouncing some of the names of the Kings. The trials and troubles of chapter 14 prepare us for God's words to Abram, "He (God) took him outside and said: Look up at the sky and count the stars if you can. Just so, he added, will your descendants be. Abram put his faith in the LORD, who attributed it to him as an act of righteousness." Reflect for a moment on God taking your hand and speaking words of hope to you. What are you hearing God say? Our Church's call for religious fasting goes back to the faith of Israel, which was from food? Fasting is good as a sign of commitment or penance. Jesus tries to make sense of the laws of Israel. Fasting for us as Catholic Christians doesn't make sense in the seasons of Christmas and Easter. But as one prepares for those days fasting could be good. Fasting from food is ancient and good, but is there something else you could fast from? For a day or for the weekend? Try it and open your heart to God in those empty spaces.