Dear Friends,
Today, we observe Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting and prayer, and the beginning of Lent.
During Lent, we get the opportunity to discover new graces as we journey with and through Christ’s sufferings. Years ago, Richard Foster, in his
book, Celebration of Discipline, wrote, “Observing Lent is about launching into the deep; not as legalism or as a means to win God’s favor but as way to discover anew freedom in what Christ has done for the whole world. It’s an opportunity to comprehend again, relationship with God as a gift. It’s an invitation to intentionally seek the Lord through particular practices for 40 days.”
This series will guide you through
the season of Lent with a new theme each week and readings for each day (except Sundays). I hope that your inner spirit will be freed from all that is weighing it down and that you will rediscover the blessings of the Spiritual Disciplines like fasting, prayer, worship, confession and celebration that will lead to spiritual growth.
May you be free to take up your cross and follow Jesus this Lent.
Week 1: Fasting
“Some have exalted religious fasting beyond all Scripture and reason,
and others have utterly disregarded it.” - John Wesley.
What is
fasting, and why do we fast? The simple answer is that Jesus did. We are told in Matthew 4:1-11 how Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to spend 40 days fasting and praying. Moses spent 40 days on the mountain with God, and the Israelites journeyed in the desert for 40 years. All these Biblical examples of fasting turn the focus of the person/people involved towards God and away from the things of the world.
We are also told about fasting in Matthew 6:16-18 and how we will be rewarded for fasting. When we turn our attention away from those things that require our attention and we focus on God, we will have time for inner reflection and prayer. We will draw closer to God.
People often assume that to fast means to stop eating, to starve, to skip meals, etc. Fasting evokes images of hunger. Biblical fasting (we are not commanded to
fast) focuses on spiritual purposes. Richard Foster, in the article The Purpose of Fasting, says, “...fasting reveals the things that control us….We cover up what is inside us with food and other good things, but in fasting, these things surface.” While fasting from food can be a good start, we can also fast from other things like devices, internet, TV,
coffee, alcohol or anything that draws us away from God. Foster continues, “Fasting must forever center on God. It must be God-initiated and God-ordained.” He also says, “Fasting helps us keep our balance in life. How easily we begin to allow nonessentials to take precedence in our lives. How quickly we crave things we do not need — until we are enslaved by them.”
Some examples of what we can (should) fast from:
- People - our
lives are very busy, and many of us are constantly surrounded by people. Fasting from people allows us to be better people, and when we are with others, we can treat them with the respect they deserve.
- Media - with the advancement of technology, the media floods us with information, both good and bad, and the demand to know more consumes our thoughts. Very few people are capable of and willing to spend an entire day focused on one
thing.
- Devices - these seem to be an extension of our body. It is not often that we see somebody without a cell phone in their hands. We feel obligated to answer every call, respond to every email and be on top of social media.
- Consumerism - most people are caught up with the busyness of their lives and forget all that they have that affords them a comfortable life. Perhaps consider
spending time with those less fortunate to learn from them.
Notice how you feel and what you learn about yourself when fasting. What has been the most challenging part of fasting? What has been the most rewarding part of fasting?
Fasting allows us to take action in some way and frees up time to do something else, like praying or reading Scripture, or giving our
time to God. We must remember that the importance of fasting is about the spiritual impact rather than the physical impact. “It is a means of God’s grace and blessing that should not be neglected any longer,” says Foster.
What things demand your attention and distract you from God? How can you make more space for Jesus and the life he has planned for you?
Ecofriendly Lent Recipes for those interested.
Readings for the coming days
14 Feb Matthew 21:1-11
15 Feb John 12: 1-11
16
Feb John 12:12-19
17 Feb Mark 11:12-26
19 Feb Matthew 21:23-32
20 Feb Mark 12:1-12
21 Feb Matthew 22:1-14
22 Feb Luke 20: 9-26
23 Feb Luke 20: 27-40
24 Feb Matthew 22: 34-46
