Hello everyone! Welcome back to Scattering Flowers with Elise and Miles, a podcast where you read the daily gospels and the saint of the day.
Let’s get started! Today is Friday, February 20th, and the gospel reading is Matthew 9, 14-15.
And the scripture to reflect on is Matthew 9, 15.
And Jesus said to them, Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?
The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.
Today the gospel reading is about fasting.
I know, I know, not fasting.
Honestly, it’s not that bad.
Jesus went through so much more for us on the cross.
Did you know that as Catholics during Lent we’re not supposed to eat meat on Fridays?
Yep, you heard me right.
No cheeseburgers or chicken nuggets.
Friday is the day of the week when Christians remember the death of Jesus on the cross.
Every single Friday is an opportunity to thank Jesus for his sacrifice of giving his life for us.
And if you’re not old enough to fast yet, I thought of some ideas for you.
Maybe you can count each time you eat meals, like breakfast, lunch, and dinner, or even after snacks.
And when you get to 40, give up one toy or do a sacrifice jar where you place a stone for every good deed.
You can also give up screen time, soda, or special snacks.
I have a couple tips for your Lenten fast to be a success.
Make it positive and remember to focus on why we do it to grow closer to Jesus.
Make it count.
Instead of just being good, try not complaining for one hour.
Make it an easy goal.
Do it together.
Ask your parents or siblings to do it with you.
You can make it a family activity.
So yesterday I told you I decided to fast video games and candy.
But I also in the mornings spend 15 minutes with God before doing school or if it’s a day off, morning cartoons.
When I spend 15 minutes with God, I feel like I’m getting closer to him every day.
Sometimes when I am with my mom, my mom plays a podcast about Lent.
And you can even count that as your 15 minutes.
But afterwards, make sure for at least a few minutes, pray to whoever you want to pray for.
I usually do friends and my family, but you could do whoever.
Praying is as easy as talking to your friend.
For example, maybe you’re talking about how you won the big soccer game with your teammates or how you accidentally lost your favorite sports team hat, but then you found it the next week.
It’s the same way as talking to your friend and that friend is God.
You can ask him to bless anybody or you can even tell them about your day like you would to a friend.
All you have to do is just simply pray.
Let’s pray.
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Dear God, help us to commit to prayer through fasting so that we can grow closer to you.
And help me to trust you even if I’m feeling tempted.
Amen.
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Thank you so much for listening.
We’ll be back next week.
Scatter more flowers.
See ya!