Fast from fear; Feast on faith. Fast from despair; Feed on hope. Fast from depressing news; Feed on prayer. Fast from discontent; Feast on gratitude. Fast from anger and worry; Feed on patience. Fast from negative thinking; Feast on positive thinking. Fast from bitterness; Feed on love and forgiveness. Fast from words that wound; Feast on words that heal. Fast from gravity; Feed on joy and humor. Fast from gossip; Feast on the Gospels. Fast from junk foods; Feast on the Bread of Life. Fast from bad news; Feast on “The Good News.” Fast from darkness; Feast on the Light. Fast from the secular; Feast on the sacred. Fast from despair; Feast on hope. Fast from revenge; Feast on forgiveness. Fast from tears of sorrow; Feast on tears of joy. Fast from getting; Feast on giving. Fast from complexities; Feast on simplicities. Fast from horror; Feast on humor. Fast from listlessness; Feast on laughter.
Jesus warns against us doing all pietistic acts in public: when you pray, go off by yourself and shut the door – and by the way, stop using all those empty phrases. When you give alms – do it in secret, don’t even let one hand know what the other is doing. When you fast – that is to say when you work to break the chains of injustice, or to get rid of exploitation in the workplace, or to free the oppressed, or when you share your food with the hungry, or when you invite the homeless poor into your homes, or when you put clothes on the shivering ill-clad, or when you are available to your own families – do it on your own time.
These are not things you seek publicity for. These are not things you should call attention to. For sure, these things are to be done – but do it under the radar. Wash your face and comb your hair. Let know one suspect.
I think it is clear that we need to pay more attention to these admonitions. This is essential to the faith that has been passed on to us. We can choose to ignore it – to our peril. Or,
we can take it to heart and spend these 40 days in Lent to deepen our
faith and how it impacts our life – who we are and what we do.
When Jesus addressed the crowd about correct methods of righteousness, everyone knew what he was talking about.
They knew about the three legs on the stool of righteous living.
These days we don’t like to read this passage – the only time it is brought up in the Lectionary is for Ash Wednesday services. So folks that never go to Ash Wednesday services never have an
occasion to hear this in church, unless their pastor is somewhat
eclectic in his or her approach to Scripture. But, we need to hear these words.
He said: “It is good to put the disciplines of godly living into practice.” Jesus assumes you will be praying – and even tells you how. Jesus assumes you will give alms. Jesus assumes you will fast – But, he warns about making a show of things when you do these acts of faith – these acts of godly living.
In fact, Jesus says it is not kosher to do faith acts for show.
Time and time again the prophets and Jesus reminded people in the past – and reminds us today – fasting has nothing to do with diet.
Of course, it is a lot easier for us to think that. But, Micah tells us, Jeremiah tells us, Jesus tells us – what Isaiah tells us: "The kind of fasting I want is this: Remove the chains of oppression and the yoke of injustice, and let the oppressed go free. Share your food with the hungry and open your homes to the homeless poor. Give clothes to those who have nothing to wear, and do not refuse to help your own relatives.”Or, as one translator puts it: "This is the kind of fast day I'm after: to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed, cancel debts. What I'm interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own families.”
Time and time again, folks went astray and thought fasting had something to do with diet – self-deprivation was a whole lot easier to deal with than what the prophets and Jesus said God has in mind. Fasting has to do with living your faith – putting flesh on what you say you believe – enacting your belief.
Lent begins February 10th. Lent encourages us to look within ourselves to see how we have confused popular cultural values with Christian faith.
We need Lent!
From the very earliest times, Christians took time out before Easter to reflect on their faith, cultivate it, and prepare for a most joyous celebration of Easter.
Remembering that Jesus took 40 days off to prepare for the beginning of his ministry, the church sets aside these 40 days prior to Easter for us to get ready.
This is a time for us to explore the mysteries of the universe, looking beneath the surface – within ourselves -- examining our own motives and desires, and ascertaining exactly what our commitment is: to what, to whom, and what it means.
At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus went out into the desert for 40 days. For 40 days he lived without food or, presumably water. For 40 days he confronted his demons. For 40 days he prayed. For 40 days he communed with his God.
Suffice it to say, upon completion of his 40 days in the desert, Jesus had a clearer picture of his purpose in life, of his reason for being, of his God-given mission. And he embarked on his course of demonstrating the reign of love on earth.
Traditionally, the church has set aside these 40 days prior to Easter as a time for personal reflection toward discovery of our purpose and renewed commitment to our faith.
Many cultures make a lot over the fasting nature of these 40 days. Carnival is celebrated in many parts of the world the day before Lent begins as the last chance to eat meat for 40 days! In this country Mardi Gras is celebrated in New Orleans on “fat Tuesday” – the day before the 40 day fast begins.
Today, we see these 40 days as an opportunity to attend to the parts of our lives that we often neglect. We are challenged to open ourselves in new ways to the Spirit’s transforming power.
Because Presbyterians rebelled against all things Catholic, Lent was never celebrated in most Presbyterian churches until recent years. But, Lent is such a rich time. It is an excellent opportunity for us to really focus on things that matter.
Lent is meant to remind us that the days are getting longer – Spring is right around the corner. Signs of life are preparing to bud right in front of our eyes. And, we need to prepare ourselves to see these signs!
We need Lent! Lent encourages us to look within ourselves to see how we have confused popular cultural values with Christian faith. Through a sustained focus on the life and ministry of Jesus, Lent can help us resist the pressures of this culture. Lent can remind us that we are called to continue his ministry: "As the Father has sent me, so I send you" (John 20:21). Consequently, Lent prepares us for an Easter that is more than bunnies and eggs, an Easter that begins a whole new reality – a whole new world.
From the beginning, part and parcel of the Lenten observance has been alms giving. The purpose of fasting is not so much a bodily discipline as it is a sharing discipline. Becoming aware of the needs of others, and responding to them with generous gifts of our time and talents and money are particularly transforming.
During this season, many of our Presbyterian Churches will be emphasizing our One Great Hour of Sharing as a concrete way of self-sacrifice for the needs of others. The discipline of a daily gift to the One Great Hour of Sharing jar is a concrete way of focusing our thoughts on our individual purpose for living. It becomes an expression of the faith we proclaim.
"Do you realize how soon Ash Wednesday is? Shoot, y’all, it’s time to start praying on what you’re going to do for Lent."
A few years ago, Meg Hunter-Kilmer posted 100 Things to do for Lent . . . organanized around the three pillars of Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
Peruse for some great ideas for stimulating your observance of Lent this year.
Jesus took 40 days to prepare himself to do what he was born to do. Christians hold up 40 days prior to Easter each year to prepare ourselves to experience Easter in the very best possible way. Rather than giving something(s) up for Lent this year, consider taking something on. Consider taking on a specific act of generosity each day during Lent this year. You could have the very best Easter ever.
"What if Lent could be more than just giving stuff up?
What if it
could remind us that we're here; alive and able to make a generous
difference to the world around us? Join 75,000 people doing Lent
generously this year, with 40 days, 40 brand new reflections and 40 acts
of generosity. Sign up to receive #40acts emails from February 10th until March 24th 2016 and receive a daily dose of generosity during Lent.
With blogs written by Rev. Kate Bottley ( Gogglebox, The Dancing
Vicar), Bridget Plass, Dan Usher (Share the Miracle), Emma Scrivener (A
New Name) Steve Legg ( Sorted Men's Magazine), Fiona Morrison (
Tearfund), Graham Miller (London City Mission) and many more.
