From Canon Stephen Treasure
Sir, - From last week's Church Times: "Mark Lent in
more creative ways than giving up chocolate." "It is worth
wondering what Christian fasting is meant to achieve." I have heard
two other respected Christian leaders this week speak about
fastingfrom foodas though it were a sideline, not mainstream.
I am all in favour of marking Lent in innovative ways, but do we
not need to be reminded of Jesus's expectation that his followers
would surrender bodily appetites: "when you fast . .
."?
This certainly does not come naturally to me. I need traditional
Lenten discipline to bring my body under control at least for a few
weeks of the year.
STEPHEN TREASURE
St Oswald's Vicarage
Christopher Street
Bradford BD5 9DH