By Rev. Debra Jene Collum
Chatfield United Methodist
For those in the mainline churches it is the season of Lent. A time of reflection and preparation for embracing and embodying the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Some will do this by fasting from something. Usually something pleasurable and notable. Which is a great way to center one’s focus on spirituality. However, often it becomes more of a burden than an enlightenment. Or a show of self righteousness. Look at me! See how much I am giving up for God! Look at me! Don’t I look like the poster child for righteousness?!
In Isaiah there is a somewhat comical dialogue God has with humankind about what their fasting looks like. “You fast but you bicker and fight. You fast but you misuse your employees. You fast but you swing a mean fist.” (Isaiah 58) In other words, your stomach may grumble from lack of food but your attitude stinks. And God says, I can smell the stink from here!
Instead God says, here is the fast I prefer: “to break the chains of injustice…” These actions of righteousness and justice take a lot more personal discipline than simply giving up chocolate for 40 days. Because this type of “fasting” requires giving up one’s privileges.
Breaking the chains of injustice will mean seeing the systems of this world for what they are: skewed on the side of those in power. And then working on ways to level the playing field.
For example, are you making sure that every child in your community, no matter their economic status, has equal opportunities to fully participate in all their school has to offer? Are you making sure they are fed and housed and clothed with dignity? Are you making sure your local food shelf has the resources it needs to serve the people of your community?
This type of fasting, the type that God prefers, requires us to pay attention, really pay attention to how our communities are working. There are times when I really wish I could be made holy by simply giving up something that I enjoy. That I could simply boast, “Look at me, I gave up chocolate for 40 days!” and feel satisfied. Like I did something good.
But when I actually begin to keep the fast God calls me to, giving up my privilege and paying attention so that all can share equally in the good things in life; I will realize that the chocolate I gave up was probably picked by children in another country who couldn’t go to school because they needed to make money for their household to have food. And then I will begin to actually learn what it means to live as if Lent is a common way of life. And then Jesus’ death and resurrection will have a meaning that goes far beyond Easter Sunday. And then, God’s realm will come on earth as it is in heaven.
The fact that a bird song has a function does not detract from its beauty.