February 21, 2023
Dear friends,
“Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry
and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him,
and not to hide yourself from your own flesh” (Isaiah 58:6-7)?
Fasting for Lent bears the brunt of many jokes. And maybe you know people who make a joke of their fasting. It is, for many, simply an occasion for hypocrisy, fasting from something only to indulge all the more in something else.
Set all of that aside for a moment and consider Jesus’ instructions about fasting: “When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:16-18).
That is to say, fasting is good, and no one should know you’re doing it. At least, you shouldn’t be making a display of it.
It’s good, not for dietary or health reasons, but because it disciplines your flesh. At it’s root, fasting is simply going hungry. When you feel hunger and choose not to eat, you’re saying “no” to your appetite. Normally, your appetite for food is a good thing – you need food in order to live. But it’s also an opportunity to practice saying “no” when the stakes are low.
It’s like training for a sport. You practice the skills and run the plays when there’s no opponent on the field and there’s no pressure to win. You practice and practice so that on game day, when it matters, the skills are second nature and the plays run themselves.
Fasting is practice in saying “no” to a healthy appetite, so that when sinful appetites and desires show up, the skill of saying “no” is second nature and your defensive play runs itself. You practice crucifying your flesh when the stakes are low, so that when temptation is knocking and sin is crouching at the door, you are ready to rule over it.
But saying “no” is hard, and that’s where all the Christian disciplines come into play. When you feel hungry, take it as a reminder to pray. Give thanks to God for your daily bread. Take it as an opportunity to open the Scriptures and feed on God’s Word. Take it as a chance to share what you have with others who are in need. Take it as evidence that you are dust, and to dust you shall return. Take it as an occasion to confess your sins and receive forgiveness from God. Turn your attention from your hunger to the reward promised by your heavenly Father – righteousness and the treasures of his kingdom.
How to do it? It really is as simple as letting yourself go hungry for a bit. Skip a meal. Cut down your portions. Or say “no” to something that you normally say “yes” to.
Do it during Lent, and don’t make a show of it. Watch and see if God doesn’t reward you just as he has promised he will.
God bless and keep you,
Pr. Buchs
COMING EVENTS:
Choir Practice – Wednesday, March 1, 15, 29 @ 6pm
Christian Doctrine – Wednesday, February 22 @ 6pm
Ash Wednesday – Wednesday, February 22 @ 7pm
Family Night – Wednesday, March 8 @ 5:30pm
Elders and Council – Thursday, March 9 @ 6 & 7pm