Lent is a special time of reflection and faith, practiced in prayer and by the act of giving up something. That “something” depends on the person observing Lent, with the main guidelines being that it has to be something that’s challenging to give up during this period. (In other words, giving up the “honey do” list, guys, wouldn’t fit the bill.) In all, the act of giving up something for Lent is to practice self-discipline (fasting) mindful of the sacrifices Jesus made for our salvation.[1]
Today Isaiah gets to the heart of the matter of fasting, one of the three pillars of a holy life—not only during Lent. On Ash Wednesday we heard Jesus tell us what fasting should look like, “…when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.” (Mk 6:18) We did something interesting on Ash Wednesday, we reinstituted the ancient practice of sprinkling the ashes on the crown of the head. Some had issue not receiving the ash cross on their forehead, as it was their way to publicly display their faith. So many Christians just have to have those public symbols of their professed faith and yet their actions cause the onlooker to question. As Isaiah calls out God’s people in our reading today, “Lo, [in our] fasting [we] carry out [our] own pursuits…” living as we would always as work, in school, at play. In other words, the symbols and the visible fasting are saying one thing and our behaviors saying another, which makes the symbols and fasting worthless, for the self and the ability to draw others to the light and Truth of God’s love and mercy.
If we are to counted as a faithful Christian there has to be a congruent behavior that links the symbols and fasting. When we truly live our faith, we hear from the Prophet Isaiah, what fasting should be. “This, is the fasting that I wish: Releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; Setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; Sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own."
This is the why of fasting, as Jesus and Isaiah talk about it, fasting is about conversion. It is about deepening our relationship with God and turning away from self and sensual attachments. It’s about redirecting our focus toward God and His people,[2] especially those most in need for physical, emotional, and spiritual healing.
Last year, Judy and I gave up one night of dining out. I kept a running tab of what we would have spent and donated it to a local charity. Our Lenten fast developed into a lasting relationship with the receiving organization and their clients that we’ve maintained to date. One more quick example of an internal fast: in my prayers this morning it came to me that I should ask for the grace of a greater patience. If I do the internal work, the Spirit will reveal in me when I am losing patience, and if I further accept the grace the visible sign for others is a more calm and joyful me.
The ashes have been washed off, the chocolate, coffee, or other things will resume, the question is, did our giving up “something” (fasting) draw us to a closer, more intimate relationship with God and His people?
[1] www.countryliving.com. “Here’s What to Give up for Lent (And When to Start” by Brie Dyas,
February 17, 2021.
[2] Weekday HomilyHelps. Homily Suggestion by Leota
Roesch.
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