Readers of the Pew know I am not a huge proponent of fasting during Lent. Perhaps, because oatmeal-raisin cookies have such a hold on me. But this year I am trying to bring a new perspective on the practice of fasting.
We live in a country where culinary abundance is so very much of our culture, yet at the same time over 20% of our country survives on food stamps and lives daily with true hunger. Close to one out of every four children in this country receives food stamps and if they don’t eat at school they go without. Perhaps during Lent we should consider our Lenten fast as a way to connect us with the world that many of us choose to ignore.
As Lent is a time for restoring a right relationship with God it is also a time to restore a right relationship with our neighbors. Think of each meal, part of our Lenten fast, as a meal in which we share and get in touch with humanity. If you were to have the hungry to your table don’t you think you would share all your bounty, like Christ bring out your best wine, wouldn’t you cut a bigger piece of pie with one who has never tasted such a delight. If all that is the case, consider during Lent setting aside what you sacrifice and finding a way to contribute what you sacrifice to those who would give much to eat the crumbs from your table. When you meditate consider ways that your sacrifice can be to the benefit of another.
Lent is also a time for reconciliation, for forgiving for making peace, because it is way to hard to sit down and enjoy a fine meal with an enemy. Consider bringing new friends and old together for a Lenten meal.
It all comes down to “awareness.” Awareness that we can use our lenten discipline not only as a way to search our own soul, but to bring God to the souls of others.
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