Thoughts about fasting and sacrifice....

Ceiling cat sez 'Do not want!'

Lent is, by tradition, the 40 day time of preparation for Easter with the time period linked to Christ going into the wilderness to prepare for his ministry, fasting for 40 days and rebuking the devil three times.

Since most of us don't have 40 days a year in vacation time, one of the most visible and traditional aspects of Lent is the forgoing of something of personal value (normally something which you enjoy but may not be 'good' for you).

Now, I recognize and openly affirm the thought of setting time aside to specifically have a re-focusing of priorities with an eye towards the Divine.  They're called 'sabbaticals'.  Further, I recognize the value of using the occasion as a way of breaking old habits and establishing new ones - if that is what you wish to do.  I am not discounting these ideas in the least.

But, all too often, that's not what Lent is about.

All too often, the purpose behind this sacrifice has little to do with the cleansing power of a preparation ritual.  Instead, individuals pantomime the ritual as a public, temporary sacrifice performed (perfectly or not) for the benefit of others.  Cue the OT reading of the day, Isaiah 58:5-7:

‘We have fasted before you!’ they say.‘Why aren’t you impressed? We have been very hard on ourselves, and you don’t even notice it!’

I will tell you why!  It’s because you are fasting to please yourselves. Even while you fast, you keep oppressing your workers. What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me. You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like reeds bending in the wind. You dress in burlap and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call fasting? Do you really think this will please the Lord?

No, this is the kind of fasting I want:

Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people.
Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

Right, then.  This brings to mind Hosea 6:6 (which Christ quotes in Mathew and Mark and others echo elsewhere):

I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know Me more than I want burnt offerings.

As I've mentioned before, I have serious questions regarding the validity and probative value of ascetism in general.  The idea of performing some temporary, mild form of self-denial/mortification because people think it is culturally appropriate and a defining characteristic being a 'good' christian?  That seems pretty blinkin foolish. 

All of this, all of religion/sprirtuality, it's all about your relationship with the Divine.  It isn't about what is socially approved or expected of you.  Take time and talk to Him.  Cut out the distractions and focus your thoughts towards what She desires.  Prepare the ground for God to plant the seed within you.  Let Her do the rest.

Reflections on Lent

As we come together for Ash Wednesday, I come to think about what we, as catholics do during Lent.  Much of what constitutes Catholicism is writ in non-liturgical custom and tradition which is highly variable in its direct relationship with Scripture.  Even more of interest is that these things, not the theology, is what most people (catholics and non) associate with the religion.

For myself, Lent is a time to double down on my reflections, do serious self-examination and discard those things which have accumulated over the year which are a hindrance to my looking Godward.  Does that mean I eat meat during lent?  I don't see how a piece of chicken or a steak for supper keeps me from God any more or less than some salmon.  What about the ashes?  Yes, both for myself but also for the church community.  Ignoring any personal significance, communal rites (which are most of our rites) are outward signs of unity and powerful social glue. 

As is my wont, my critical eye looks beyond myself and to the church and society as a whole. How does [X] affect a person's ability to 'Love God and their neighbour'?  Everything which impedes needs to be stripped away, because it's getting between the human (that would be ALL of us, individually and collectively) and the Divine.

For our church, Lent is framed in the language of a pilgrimage or journey.  We do labyrinth walks and hikes (weather permitting) and a lot of contemplative work.  Each of us who has decided to earnestly follow Christ are walking down a road, on that journey.  Some are farther along than others.  Some of us have decided to take the 'scenic route'.  We all walk at our own pace, taking breaks as we need to and doing a bunch of stumbling about in the darkness.  That's OK, though.  We've seen a great light.  We just have to keep focused on that Light.

Thanks be to God. 

Iacta alea est

One river, roman legion not included.

The phrase 'Crossing the Rubicon' is used with frequency to refer to a decision that, once made, cannot be undone.

The eponymous example involves the Roman law that any general who enters the province of Italy without disbanding his army will be considered raising war against Rome, with the penalty that the general and every member of his army will be put to death.  The Rubicon River was the boundary line between Cisalpine Gaul (which was under Gaius Julius Caesar's governorship) and Italy proper.

Seutonius describes how Caesar underscores the step they were considering taking.  "Even now, we can turn back, but once across that bridge, all will be done by force of arms."  Caesar hesitates and ponders, eventually having a vision which spurs him on to say those famous words. "We take the course which the signs of the gods and the false dealing of our foes point out.  The die is cast!" (an alternate translation to this last would be 'The game is afoot').

Not unlike Caesar, I have stood astride my own river, pondering if I should, if I could, if I DARE do this dangerous thing.  I had no vision, but a Still, Small Voice which has lead me to paraphrase Caesar:

"Sequar ostenta quo Deus ostenta audivi. Iacta alea est!"

I will follow the signs by which I have heard God. The game is afoot!

Tonight, the Ministry Council will be informed regarding my candidacy for presbyter ordination and will discuss same with a mind as to how to proceed. May our loving Father grant us all wisdom and clarity.

Thanks be to God