Lent is here again with the call to prayer, fasting and alms deeds. Angela has something to say on all three of these topics, but as it is Ash Wednesday, lets start with fasting.
The chapter in Angela's Rule on this subject is very challenging but, as always with Angela, the inspiration for this practice is the person of JESUS her "one and only treasure."
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| Head of Jesus on the Cross |
She writes
"Each one should be WILLING to EMBRACE bodily fasting also as something necessary, and as a means and way to true spiritual fasting through which all the vices and errors are cut away from the mind. And to this the example of all the holy persons very clearly INVITES us,and above all, the life of JESUS CHRIST the only way to heaven."
Rule Ch IV
Notice Angela's use of words : "willing to embrace" and "invites". Angela has a deep respect for personal freedom and else where in her Rule warns against ever trying to get anything by force. At the same time she can be incisive in her language: " cut away"!
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