|
Ramadan (Nov. 16-Dec. 15) is a month-long fast for more than one
billion Muslims worldwide. It is a time of intensive worship, reading
the Quran, giving charity, purifying one's behavior, and doing good
deeds. By cutting one's self off from worldly comforts, a fasting
person develop sympathy with those who go hungry or who suffer.
(Adapted from Acting in the Spirit of Ramadan by Rose Marie Berger).
United with all those who begin Ramadan on Friday we pray this Prayer of Repentance: (Attributed to Ali, son-in-law of Muhammad; 7th century)
O
my God, I repent before Thee of all that is in the thoughts of my
heart, sight of my eyes, the words of my tongue, that contravenes Thy
will or falls away from thy love….
Spread Thy mercy to
take me wholly in and hide me in the glory of Thy veil. Do with me as
Greatness would with a servant who cried and was granted mercy or as
one rich in wealth who heard a poor man's plea and refreshed him. For,
O My God, I have no defender from Thee: let thy might be my defense and
let Thy goodness be my intercessor. My sins have made me afraid: Let
thy pardon set me at rest.
A Reflection on Fasting: (unknown author)
Fast from judging others,
Feast in the indwelling spirit.
Fast from emphasis on differences;
Feast on the unity of all life.
Fast from apparent darkness;
Feast on the reality of light.
Fast from thoughts of illness;
Feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from words that pollute;
Feast on phrases that purify.
Fast from complaining;
Feast on appreciation.
Fast from negatives;
Feast on affirmatives.
Fast from unrelenting pressures;
Feast on unceasing prayer.
Fast from hostility;
Feast on non-resistance.
Fast from bitterness;
Feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern;
Feast on compassion for others.
Fast from personal anxiety;
Feast on eternal truth.
Fast from lethargy;
Feast on enthusiasms.
Fast from suspicion;
Feast on truth.
Fast from thoughts that weaken;
Feast on promises that inspire.
Fast from shadows of sorrow;
Feast on the sunlight of serenity.
Fast from idle gossip;
Feast on purposeful silence.
Fast from problems that overwhelm;
Feast on prayer that undergirds.
|
|
|
