March 16, 2011
“The Blessing of Fasting”
Pastor Ronald T. Glusenkamp
Grace and peace to you from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The prophet Joel proclaimed the Word of the Lord,
“Yet even now, says the LORD,
return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
13rend your hearts and not your clothing.
Return to the LORD, your God,
for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,
and relents from punishing.
14Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,
and leave a blessing behind him,
a grain offering and a drink offering
for the LORD, your God?
15Blow the trumpet in Zion;
sanctify a fast;
call a solemn assembly;
16gather the people.
Sanctify the congregation;
assemble the aged;
gather the children,
even infants at the breast.
Let the bridegroom leave his room,
and the bride her canopy.”
As you may know our theme as a congregation this year is “Blessed to be a Blessing!” Throughout the Sundays and Wednesdays of Lent we are intentionally asking the members and friends of Bethany to “own” each week’s blessing. Today the blessing
we are “putting on” is the blessing of fasting.
Usually when we hear the word “fast” we typically associate it with food, or abstaining from food. To undertake a fast from food, a hiatus from nutrition has a long and blessed history in most major religions. Jews, Christians and Muslims just to name the sons and daughters of Abraham all take seriously the call to “sanctify a fast.”
Big Idea: Give Up and Give Away – Fasting takes on many forms
As Joni Grundman has written in the Mentor/Mentee booklet
“Fasting is an example of a U-turn
that allows you to do without and focus on within. However,
fasting does not necessarily mean giving up all food for 24
hours. For some, that would be unhealthy. However as a traditional
Lent discipline, many people choose to eliminate one
thing like chocolate, caffeine or something else from their
diet. If the focus of Lent is on the heart, let’s think this week
about what you can fast from to help your heart. Ideas for
fasting could include giving up one of the following: soda,
energy drinks, fast food, Starbucks, chips, chocolate, cookies,
etc. God asks us to turn to him with all our hearts, when we
fast from worldly items it is easier to focus on our spiritual
journey.”
"If fasting is doing its work of liberating our focus from self-preoccupation, this will manifest itself in mercy and compassion toward those around us. We will be moved from within to give what we are receiving from God . . . Our lives will be marked by concrete caring responses for others. Fasting must deal with reality. It does not skirt issues. It is not an interior escape" (Thomas Ryan, Fasting Rediscovered, New York, Paulist Press, 1981, p. 119).
I’d like for you to gain a sense of fasting from Christina Rees who has written in her book, Feast + Fast-Food for Lent and Easter (pg. 53-54) the following things to “fast” from or simply give up during Lent:
Procrastination
Apathy
Envy
Jealousy
Greed
Laziness
Indifference
Chocolate
Sugar
Chips
Crisps
Alcohol
Sweets
Meat
Processed food
Criticizing
Negative thoughts
Cynicism
Worry
Being miserable
Holding grudges
Feelings of revenge
Feeling like a victim
Putting yourself down
Judging yourself
Judging others
Gossiping
Making excuses
Blaming others
Shopping for things you don’t need
Watching TV
Listening to the radio
Reading newspapers
Going on the internet
The first seven sound very much like the SEVEN DEADLY Sins.
Today is a time to focus on being “good” and realizing the “plenty” that most of us have.
As Intern Jess so eloquently reminded us this past Sunday, www.bethany-denver2.org/church-life/sermons/?sermon_id=183 there is a blessing in “giving up and giving in.”
Today is the day to “stop” “abstain” “refrain” and make a u-turn in thought, actions and atttidude.
It’s about your heart. It’s about your soul. It’s about your mind. You’ll be glad you did.
“Yet even now, says the LORD,
return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;"
amen
check out h2odevos.blogspot.com
www.bethany-denver2.org/church-life/sermons/?sermon_id=183
www.bethany-denver2.org/church-life/our-lenten-journey-2011/
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