The Beginning of Lent: A Call to Fast

On this Ash Wednesday, it is good to look over and reflect upon Pope Benedict's Message for Lent 2009.

In this message, Benedict reflects specifically on the practice of fasting: its place in Scripture, its place in the Church, and its place in our personal spiritual lives.

Pope Benedict brings up something profound that was new to me. He brings up the very first command of God to Adam in Genesis 2:16-17. God tells Adam that he can eat from any tree in the Garden of Eden except for the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God's first command, even before sin entered the world, was one of fasting. This spiritual practice has truly been part of human history from the very beginning. That is certainly something to ponder.

The rest of the message is also very good. I encourage you to read and reflect upon it. It's a good prayerful activity for Ash Wednesday!