Becoming aware of the moment.
How often do we rush through the day, lost in thought, without really noticing what is happening around us? How often do we speak without realizing what our words actually mean? This carelessness can lead us to realize afterwards that we may have said or done the wrong thing.
One moment at Lake Tanganyika, Tanzania
The art of becoming aware of the moment lies in capturing the moment and understanding what it is trying to tell us. It is about being present, living in the here and now and consciously perceiving the signals that life sends us.
An important aspect of this awareness is the ability to wait. We are often so intent on acting or speaking quickly that we forget that sometimes it is better to pause for a moment and reflect before we act. Fasting is not only about abstaining from certain foods, but also about consciously taking time to wait - waiting a second before we react can make a big difference.
The people around me - discretion
This brings us to the point of discretion toward the world in which we live. We need to be aware of who is part of our inner circle and who we can open up to. We don't have to tell everyone everything - sometimes it's better to keep certain things to ourselves or to share them only with those who are really close to us and have our best interests at heart.
These 40 days could also be a time to live more consciously, to seize the moment, to understand the small signals of life in our confreres, in our friends, but also in nature and in the environment. And to learn to be patient and to wait when necessary. And let's be careful who we open up to and who we don’t.
~Fr. Anastasius Reiser, OSB