Tuesday, February 24, 2015

SAINT MATTHIAS, APOSTLE

Is this a fast, to keep
   The larder leane?
And cleane
From fat of veales and sheep?

Is it to quit the dish
   Of flesh, yet still
To fill
The platter high with fish?

Is it to fast an houre,
   Or ragg'd to go
Or show
A downcast look, and sowre?

No: 'tis a fast, to dole
   Thy sheaf of wheat
And meat
Unto the hungry soule.

It is to fast from strife,
   From old debate,
And hate;
To circumcise thy life.

To shew a heart grief-rent;
   To starve thy sin,
Not bin;
And that's to keep thy Lent.
Robert Herrick (1591-1674), "To Keep a True Lent"

Surround us with your steadfast love, O God, that we may enter this desert time with willing hearts. Amen

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