I have to begin with thanks, looking back at the past week. I feel abundant gratitude for the many gifts of time, treasure, and talent that culminated in an expanded new Family Space, now double-sized in the two back pews of the sanctuary. What a beautiful place! Come see it this week, admire the intricate hand-made rugs from India, try out a pillow or two, or maybe go to the bookshelf to pick out some books to read with a toddler. Thanks go to Marilee Niemi, Tamara Lett, Vern Alexander, Paul Gertmenian, Karen Ray Gibson, Jeanne Dunn, Jim Allardice and the Celebration Committee, and Marilee Bailey who all contributed to this project and to Liam Gray for a lovely set of photos of the completed space.
Looking forward to this evening’s Ash Wednesday service and the coming days, we are entering the season of Lent, when it is traditional to fast. We may refrain from chocolate or meat, try to limit our use of technology, skip meals, or none of the above. Of course many people use Lent as an opportunity to go on a dramatic diet and to test their willpower. I have done those types of fasts and, personally, found them a little crazy-making. Self-denial for its own sake usually leaves me a little neurotic and very hungry. So while simple fasts can be helpful for some people, I would also like to introduce two other philosophies of fasting.
One is the fast of lament or protest – an appeal for God’s mercy – or a divinely-directed hunger strike. For an example, see the book of Jonah, where after the prophet has proclaimed God’s judgment on the evil city of Ninevah, the people of the city all repent of their evil ways, put sackcloth and ashes on, and fast. Their fasting is so serious that they even prevent their sheep and cattle from grazing, while they all (humans and animals together, apparently) cry out to God for mercy. The book was written as a parody, making fun – if you can believe it – of how quickly God changes God’s mind when people respond to a prophet’s call. Whether we are calling out for God’s mercy for a person, family situation, or global issue, the fast of protest is a powerful prayer.
The other is the fast of solidarity or awareness. Most of us have plenty of food in our refrigerators right now, and the vast majority of us have the money and freedom to keep our pantries well-stocked. We might sometimes skip a meal by choice, for the health benefits, thinking little about the people around the world who have no choice but to go to bed hungry. So we can fast as a way of temporarily setting aside this enormous privilege. Of course we will pick our privilege up again the next day, but for a few hours we can keep in mind what it feels like to go without. I hope that if just once during the season of Lent, you might try one of these forms and share how it went.
Every Blessing,
Talitha