Fr Bob Writes – March 12, 2017

To Keep A True Lent

                          Robert Herrick

Is this a Fast, to keep

The larder lean ?

And clean

From fat of veals and sheep ?

 

Is it to quit the dish

Of flesh, yet still

To fill

The platter high with fish ?

 

Is it to fast an hour,

Or ragged to go,

Or show

A down-cast look and sour ?

 

No: ’tis a Fast to dole

Thy sheaf of wheat

And meat

Unto the hungry soul.

 

It is to fast from strife

And old debate,

And hate;

To circumcise thy life.

 

To show a heart grief-rent;

To starve thy sin,

Not bin;

And that’s to keep thy Lent.