Fasting with Purpose

~~~ Isaiah 58:1-9A ~~~ Psalm 51 ~~~ Matthew 9:14-15 ~~~ 

Would that today you might fast

so as to make your voice heard on high!

During Lent we choose fasting as one way to a keep this time 

set apart from our usual spiritual practices.

Fasting by itself can inspire us to focus on things 

our soul longs for

as our body reacts to less food.

Fasting is not a reason to be nasty to others 

just because you are hungry.

If fasting does not lead you to experience 

the depravity of others

it is practiced in vain.

God would never ask us to fast for the sake of fasting.

Fasting is to put us into solidarity with those who are suffering.

Now is the acceptable time...

The acceptable time to make your voice heard on high.

Make your voice heard not because you are fasting, 

but because you are...

releasing those bound unjustly,

untying the thongs of the yoke;

Setting free the oppressed,

breaking every yoke;

Sharing your bread with the hungry,

sheltering the oppressed and the homeless;

Clothing the naked when you see them,

and not turning your back on your own.

Now is the time to fast from all selfishness.

Now is the time to give something to the DSF fund.

Now is the time to give to your faith community.

Now is the time to be an active part of the living Body of Christ.

Fasting is personal there is no need to advertise you're starving.

But there is reason to distribute food to the poor.

There is reason to donate your extra clothes...to clothe the naked.

There is reason to support your local Habitat for Humanity.

Jesus went into the desert to fast for forty days

 in preparation for his active ministry to the poor.

Jesus ministered to the poor everywhere he walked...

Some were physically poor, 

some were mentally poor, many were spiritually poor.

His fasting prepared him for the mission of saving us.

Before Jesus died on the cross for us we were all spiritually poor.

Our souls may never have found the way back to the goodness of God.

This Lent remember that whatever you do for the least

you also do for Jesus.

If this does not change your attitude 

probably nothing will.

Let your fasting lead you to the Spiritual 

and Corporal Works of Mercy

...so as to make your voice heard on high!

Fasting with a Purpose.

Blessings when you are hungry.

~~~Peace~~~

Fasting Beatitudes

~~~ Isaiah 58:1-9A ~~~ Psalm 51 ~~~ Matthew 9:14-15 ~~~

Today's message highlights the pitfalls 

and the beauty of fasting.

Fasting is a spiritual practice designed 

to bring us closer to God.

We do not fast to let others think more highly of us.

A time of fasting is not to pretend we are a better 

person because we are not eating.

Fasting is a practice to remind ourselves of our dependence on God.

It is God who sustains us in all our needs.

We fast for blood work, we fast because it is prescribed 

by our religious beliefs.

Fasting is not so much about what we do or don't eat.

Fasting is more about our mindset.

We must ask ourselves what is our motivation for fasting. 

God reveals to Isaiah what amounts to 

the Beatitudes of Fasting.

This, rather, is the fasting that I wish:

releasing those bound unjustly,

untying the thongs of the yoke;

Setting free the oppressed,

breaking every yoke;

Sharing your bread with the hungry,

sheltering the oppressed and the homeless;

Clothing the naked when you see them,

and not turning your back on your own.

Yours will be a clean heart...entrance into the kingdom.

...your wound shall quickly be healed...

If while you are fasting you focus on the care of others;

your own ills will be healed...

your heart will be cleansed...

you will be forgiven...

Your fasting will not be in vain...for all the wrong reasons.

The wounds of our soul are healed 

when we reach out to care for God's children.

The wounds of our soul from years past 

will be filled in smoothed over with the grace of God.

If you choose to fast do so with a loving heart...

for even if you are not aware of the wounds of your heart

healing will occur.

Then your light shall break forth like the dawn...

Fasting is not about being sad and gloomy.

Fasting is about surrendering our will to doing God's will.

It is in fasting where we can come to know

 what hunger for God truly is...

Our hunger for God is our hunger to be made 

whole again to be with him in heaven.

Blessings may come in restricting you food intake, 

but not by ignoring the needs of the poor.

~~~Peace~~~

Fasting...a Choice

~~~ Jonah 3:1-10 ~~~ Psalm 51 ~~~ Luke 11:29-32 ~~~

...they proclaimed a fast
and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth.

The story of Jonah is very well known.

During every Lenten time we are reminded of how Jonah resisted God.

How he came close to defying God and how that worked out for him.

Well I am sure it is not necessary to recap the whole story for you.

Today I want to draw our attention to the fasting...

especially the great and small.

The words great and small were 

not referring to those who were short or to little children.

Instead these words were meant to include

 those who were powerful and wealthy 

as well as those who were the common people.

No one is to be exempt from repenting in the town of Nineveh.

This is true for us today...

we all must repent...no one is excluded.

We have all sinned against our God.

We have all fallen short of our quest for holiness.

There was a reason for their fast...

they had a certain amount of expectancy.

There is usually a reason for one to enter 

into a voluntary fast, joined with intentional prayer.

Because fasting is not easy it helps to begin with the purpose in mind.

Fasting to save your town was a great incentive for the people of Nineveh;

but what about for us here and now.

We must listen for God to tell why he is calling us to fast.

For clarity, I am speaking of fasting from solid food.

We can also fast from other things, like the internet or television etc.

To be most effective fasting should be combined with a time set aside for prayer.

There will be many temptations to break the fast.

Fasting like silence allows us to listen more intently to God.

It removes one major distraction...food.

Is your desire to eat greater 

than your desire to have a closer relationship with God?

We are so used to getting satisfaction from what we eat.

If we compare the satisfaction from eating to that of praying

eating will usually take the lead.

Whenever I consider fasting I think of the millions of people

 worldwide who, by no choice of their own, are forced into fasting.

If there is not enough food available then fasting 

becomes the norm rather than the exception.

Fasting is not the norm for most of us.

We must willingly want to enter into a fast.

It is easier to fast when you are away from your normal routine...

like on retreat, isolated from readily available food.

If you choose to fast at home there is the added temptation

 to just go into the kitchen and find something to eat.

If you turn on the television you will bombarded with adds about food.

If your intention for fasting is in response to repentance then

ask God to help you persevere in your fast.

Consider fasting with a group or at least one other person.

Be prepared for the mental, emotional, and physical effects of fasting.

The hunger pains you will experience

 pale in comparison to what Jesus suffered for our sins.

Remember to drink plenty of fluids and or juices.

Fasting allowed the people of Nineveh 

a heightened awareness of the presence of God 

and it can do the same for us today.

I invite you to seriously consider fasting during this Lent.

You determine to what extent you can fast;

it might just be omitting one meal a day.

Start small and gradually increase your fast.

Fasting shifts our focus to be more mindful

 of what we are doing with our life.

Fasting is one of the many tools 

available to us as we strive to a closer relationship with God.

During this Lenten time take the invitation to fasting

 more seriously than you have in the past...

actually take charge of it.

We are blessed to live in a country where food is plentiful.

We are further blessed to freely give up this food. 

There may be wisdom in fasting;

it just might be good for your overall health.

What if fasting actually extended your life?

Would you be more inclined to skip a few more meals?

My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit...

Peace as we proceed deeper into this Lent.

Make good use of these 40 days.

Hiding in the Darkness

~~~ Isaiah 58: 9b-14 ~~~ Psalm 86 ~~~ Luke 5:27-32 ~~~

If you give up everything that feeds the ego the Lord will be with you.

Then light shall rise for you in the darkness,
and the gloom shall become for you like midday;
Then the LORD will guide you always...

It seems to be our narrow thoughts of self keep that us

 at a distance from the Lord.

We get so preoccupied with our personal wants and needs.

The more we turn inward the less we are able to follow Jesus.

The tax collector left everything behind, answering 

the invitation to follow Jesus.

What would you be willing to give up?

The sinful trap we fall into is hiding in the darkness,

ready to ambush us when we least expect.

Even when we are praying the darkness of sin can attack us.

We can even be in the darkness of sin while we proclaim a fast for the Lord.

We can fool ourselves into thinking that fasting is 

what we must do to please God.

But he says fasting alone will not bring you out of the darkness of sin.

You must reach out to those less fortunate and help them.

The Lord promises to guide us, to quench our thirst,

 to strengthen our bones..

We will be blessed to be known as having 

a sincere social morality.

The teachings of Jesus are meant to be put 

into action, not just to be meditated upon or read about.

Fasting is not the answer without inner change for the better.

A greater compassion for others must accompany our practice of fasting.

Fasting is not fasting for the sake of depriving ourselves;

there must be a greater resulting change.

Bless us Lord to become more devoted to your ways.

Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, 

O Lord, I lift up my soul.

Peace during this time of Lent.

What Lurks in Your Heart?

~~~ Isaiah 58:1-9a ~~~ Psalm 51 ~~~ Matthew 9:14-15 ~~~

It may be true that actions speak louder than words, 

but they are not a substitute for what lies within your heart.

Just because you go through the motions of fasting,

depriving your body of nourishment does not make you closer to God.

“Why do we fast, and you do not see it?
afflict ourselves, and you take no note of it?”

If your body is hungry but your heart clings to hatred and unforgiveness,

you are wasting your time.

It is our heart that needs to be in a state of fasting.

We need to fast from those things which are not of God.

Fast from those thoughts and actions 

that are not drawing you closer to the Lord.

If you are still committing the same sins whether or not you are fasting;

what is the point.

If you want to impress others by your appearances of holiness,

who are you really trying to fool?

Simplify your life...let go of that which is weighing you down.

A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

Contrition must be accompanied by humility before the Lord.

Lay your heart before Our Lord

there is nothing to hide and nothing to fear.

Allow God to bless you 

with a contrite spirit and a cleansed heart. 

Peace.

Fasting and the Bridegroom

~~~1 Samuel 15:16-23 ~~~ Psalm 50 ~~~ Mark 2:18-22 ~~~

Obedience is better than sacrifice,
and submission than the fat of rams.

Samuel reprimands Saul for not being completely 

obedient to the will of God.

Saul has only partially carried 

out the task set before him from God.

He lets greed take hold of his heart.

Saul selectively carried out the wishes of the Lord.

Keeping for himself some of the best from the city.

He and his troops spared Agag and the best of the 

fat sheep and oxen, and the lambs. 

They refused to put under the ban 

anything that was worthwhile, destroying 

only what was worthless and of no account. 

Later he is so full of pride for his victory 

he erects a statue to honor himself.

When God sets us out to complete a task he expects 

us to complete the task in his name.

He does not give us permission

 to make exceptions for our personal satisfaction.

Saul is so blinded by his own accomplishments

 that he looses sight of his directive from God.

Jesus speaks of himself as the bridegroom in this chapter of Mark.

Fasting was common in among the local people at that time.

Of course Jesus knew of the prescribed fasting custom;

 he intentionally ignores it.

Instead he gives an analogy of the bridegroom,

which seems out in left field

It is true that when you are attending a wedding celebration

 few if any people would be fasting.

Jesus tries to present a different picture of the bridegroom;

namely himself. He is the bridegroom who will be leaving.

When he leaves it will be because he has been crucified.

His death and crucifixion will be the cause for fasting...

a fasting representing mourning.

But the days will come when the bridegroom

 is taken away from them,
and then they will fast on that day.

Today we are encouraged by the our church

 to practice fasting during Lent and especially on Good Friday.

Fasting puts us in a better state to hear the Lord speaking to our hearts.

Food is no longer a distraction...our prayer life and our 

relationship with God takes on a deeper meaning.

...new wine is poured into fresh wineskins.

Jesus is the new wine. Everything about his way

 is in contradiction with the elders.

Jesus in effect is saying...whatever you thought 

you knew about God, you were so not right.

Jesus makes all things new...

even when we do not know anything needs to be changed.

It is so easy to just keep on doing what we have done for years.

Habits, good or bad, become a part of who we are.

They often reflect our system of beliefs.

Begin taking an internal assessment of your heart.

What needs to change? Ask God to help you see 

the ways you have held on to the old.

He wants to replace the old with the new;

but first you must identify the old.

We cannot change what we cannot claim as ours.

Blessings in having the courage and faith

 to look within for what needs to be removed.

Make room for the new wine.

Peace!

Itchy, Dirty, and Hungry

~~~ Jonah 3:1-10 ~~~ Psalm 130 ~~~ Luke 10:38-42 ~~~

 

After spending three days in the belly of the fish Jonah

 would now promptly obey God's directions.

 

His message resulted in sackcloth, ashes, and fasting...

basically they were uncomfortable, dirty, and hungry.

Their skin felt itchy and scratchy...they smelled of burnt rubbish...

their stomachs were growling.

 

Are any of these things really necessary?

How did these actions make a difference for their soul?

Is it really advantageous to deprive the body to achieve

a deeper spiritual experience.

When we are repentant it may be worthwhile

to be physically reminded that our sins should make us feel uncomfortable

a bit unclean...soiled, and hungry to be reunited with God.

 

The closest thing we have to sackcloth today would be burlap
unless you actually get a real potato sack from the farmer's market.
Sackcloth is rough loosely woven fabric. It has no body and does not drape.
It would not be used to enhance ones figure or appearance.
You can hide the flaws of your body under a sackcloth.
Odd because we cannot hide our sins from God.
Sackcloth is cheap it is reusable you can recycle it.
In Biblical times sackcloth was worn as a sign of mourning.
It was made of black thick goat's hair.

To sprinkle or to sit in the ashes was symbolic of grief,
humiliation, or penitence.
 

Man and beast shall be covered with sackcloth
and call loudly to God;
every man shall turn from his evil way
and from the violence he has in hand.

God had a plan to save the city, but he never said to wear sackcloth
 or to douse yourself with ashes.
The King ordered the entire city to show their repentance.
He took the lead...he did not just issue the order
 and return to his royal chambers.
He led by example.
Ultimately God saved the city of Nineveh...
our God is a merciful God.

Is it in your best interest to wait until the final hour to repent?
God Blesses us even in desperate times.

Fashion, Wine, and Fasting...

 

~~~ Colossians 1:15-20 ~~~ Psalm 100 ~~~ Luke 5:33-39 ~~~

 

What is the real issue here?

Is it fasting, torn cloaks, or old wineskins?

Are these all examples of repentance?

Limiting food consumption...wearing tattered clothing...drinking old wine...

 

Can you make the wedding guests fast
while the bridegroom is with them?

No one would fast while attending the wedding feast.

No one tears a piece from a new cloak to patch an old one.

No one would wear their mended cloak to the wedding feast.

...no one pours new wine into old wineskins.

The finest wine would surely be served at the wedding feast.

 

Jesus is the bridegroom...Jesus is the new cloak...
Jesus is the new wineskin.

 

 

The scribes and the Pharisees are always stuck in the past.

They are always influenced by the letter of the law.

 

Jesus consistently makes them walk away scratching their heads,

wondering about just what he meant.

 

...all things were created through him and for him.
He is before all things,
and in him all things hold together.

 

Jesus had a new message to deliver, it could not
be patched on to a new cloak.

It was too different, it would never match.

 

This new message Jesus came to proclaim was the new wine.

This new wine was too wonderful to even consider

putting it into the old wineskins.

The old laws were not capable of safely holding this new message.

 It was beyond the reaches of the local laws.

 

There was a proper time and reason to fast

not just because it had always been practiced.

Fasting is not about starving yourself. Fasting is more about
 the intention of your heart.
Fasting can be viewed as a spiritual cleansing...a method
to remove that which is not of true importance.
Fasting requires you to place your mind over your body.
Fasting done with intention can result in a deeper relationship with God.

Paul says in his letter to the Colossians 

...all things were created through him and for him. 

He reconciles all things to himself and in him all things are held together.

Come with joy into the presence of the Lord. 

He is the bridegroom and we are the invited guests.
Come and be glad today;
there is a time for joy and a time for fasting. 

 

Blessings are bestowed upon us because
He makes all things new....
 ...in him all fullness dwells. 

The Triple Crown of Christian Life

~~~ 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 ~~~ Psalm 112 ~~~ Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 ~~~

 

Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving...

the trifecta of the Christian life.

Prayer acknowledging that there is a God who cares and listens to us.

Fasting a means to become better focused on listening to the voice of God.

Almsgiving a generous way to give from our personal abundance.

 

These three have been valued throughout all times across varied cultures.

 

The readings today spotlight almsgiving.

There is even a touch of what we might consider cliché verbiage...

God loves a cheerful giver.

 

I had a close relative who was very generous with his money,

 but there were always strings attached.

I will give you this; if you promise to do such and such.

Somehow these little strings placed a damper over the gift.

It sometimes made me wonder if it really was a gift...or just bribery in disguise.

At times I felt like I did not want to accept the gift

because of the accompanying stipulations.

 

I think God has a very different idea when it comes to our almsgiving.

He instead ties it to farming.

Gift giving is like planting seeds which will bear fruit in the future.

One does not sow a seed only if it will produce the most perfect fruit.

Instead we sow many seeds knowing that some will not bear fruit...

some will never even take root, but still they are planted.

 

God is able to make every grace abundant for you...

 

Jesus gives us direct guidelines on these three pillars of a holy life.

 

Almsgiving...

But when you give alms,
do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,
so that your almsgiving may be secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

Prayer...

But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door,
and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

Fasting...

But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to others to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”

 

These three actions have one very obvious thing in common;

they should all take place in secret.

We are not to broadcast what we are doing.

 

Drawing attention to ourselves for what we are doing detracts

from the purpose God had in mind.

 

Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are best undertaken in privacy.

There is no benefit from boasting about how much you have given to the poor.

There is no benefit in proclaiming your denial through fasting.

There is no benefit is broadcasting how much time you spend in prayer each day.

 

If we are blessed with riches then they should

cause us to give thanks for the generosity of God.  

All that we have has come to us through Our Lord Jesus Christ...

from whom all good things come.

 

Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving...the triple crown of Christian life.

Each one holds its unique blessings.

Beware: Too Good to be True

First Sunday of Lent



Deuteronomy 26:4-10~~Psalm 91~~~Romans 10:8-13~~~Luke 4:1-13

 

Lent begins with Jesus going away to fast and pray for 40 days.

The devil takes advantage of his isolation and tries

 to work his evil temptations on Jesus.

 

'Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan
and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days,
to be tempted by the devil.'

 

You undoubtedly have experienced your thought processes

 being clouded when you are hungry.

You can also become grouchy and more likely to be vulnerable.

Jesus was human so the devil thought he had a chance

to make Jesus listen to his lies.

The devil grossly underestimated who he was dealing with that night.

Jesus had the reinforcements from the one who sent him;

God the Father.

  

Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.

 

The words of psalm 91 gives us the assurance

that God has given his angels to guard over us.

When Jesus was tempted he did not hesitate to call on his Father.

We must teach ourselves to make calling on the Father for protection a habit.

We must practice this way of praying when we are not in the throws of temptations.

 

 

 

God is closer than you might think...right in your heart. 

 

The word is near you,
in your mouth and in your heart—that is, the word of faith that we preach— 

 

God will not abandon or forsake you when you call on him.

 

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

When the devil is placing before you a picture too good to be true

listen to the small voice of truth inside. 

The word of the Lord is spirit and truth.

The devil may not be able to outsmart Jesus,

but we must be vigilant to his trickery.

 

The Lord is near to all who call on him.

Lord, your presence in my life makes it more likely

 that I will be able to call for your assistance. 

Connecting the Old and New

Memorial of Saint Agnes

 

~~~ Hebrews 5:1-10 ~~~ Psalm 110 ~~~ Mark 2:18-22 ~~~

 

Fasting or not...new wineskin or old...

We are routinely faced with the challenge of maintaining balance in our life.

There is a time for fasting, but certainly not when you are attending a festive occasion.

It would almost be rude to tell the host that you could not eat because of your

choice to maintain your fasting.

Celebrations such as weddings are not about fasting.

 

'... new wine is poured into fresh wineskins...'

 

How do you know when it is time for a new wine skin?

Is the old seasoned wine skin always inferior?

Is the new preferred?

 

God makes all things new.

Is new always better?

Where is the value in being aged?

Certainly aged wine is preferred...it becomes richer and full-bodied.

 

In light of the current trend to recycle;

an old wine skin would be valued.

But there is a deeper meaning here being made by Jesus.

He himself is like the new wine.

If we do not change our heart we are not capable of completely taking in the Lord.

If we do not have a change of heart then the presence of God

will send us into turmoil.

 

If you put the new wine into the old wineskin it will eventually spill out.

The seams will rupture and the contents will be lost.

So it is with the heart.

By the grace of our faith we are granted conversion of heart.

Conversion of the heart is making it new again.

That is the power of grace.

 

 

Looking at the comparison of the old with the new:

I cannot imagine not having the writings of the Old Testament.

So much about Jesus is rooted in the Old Testament;

after all he was raised as Jew.

Much of what he brought into the New Testament began

with something in the Old.

Jesus never indicated that once he came to live among us that we should

discard the prophetic writings of the Old Testament.

 

From the old comes wisdom and with this wisdom a better new can come into reality.

Jesus built upon the old; making the new a reality through his presence.

 

His new teachings brought forth a greater communion with God.

He came to do the will of the Father.

 

Through his ultimate obedience the old was given a counter balance.

The new was born in him, Jesus.

The one who came to save.

The God of wrath and destruction was now

revealed as the God of forgiveness and compassion.

 

 '...new wine is poured into fresh wineskins...

 

Jesus is both; the new wine and the new wineskin.

Within him we will find our balance.

Some things are better left behind

as we move forward to embrace the new.

 

Be Blessed today.

Stewards of the Mysteries

~~~ 1Cor 4:1-5 ~~~ Psalm 37 ~~~ Luke 5: 33-39 ~~~

 

Here are some of the phrases that struck me this morning...

"...stewards of the mysteries of God...

...be found trustworthy...

....do not make any judgment...

...he will bring to light what is hidden in darkness...
...and will manifest the motives of our hearts..."

 

Have you ever considered being a steward of the mysteries of God?

How overwhelming is that?

There are wine stewards and cabin stewards.

A steward manages and acts on behalf of another.

A steward is the agent of another.

Paul says he and now us as well are left to manage the mysteries of God.

How can you be a good steward unless you are prepared for the job?

 

In a restaurant the wine steward would spend a great deal of time

learning all that he/she could about different wines.

They would study the wine making process.

They learn how to use words to describe the qualities of each wine.

They are able to answer the customers questions about a particular wine.

They would be able to suggest the best wine for the entree you order.

 

You can only be a good wine steward by preparing and gaining

knowledge of what makes each wine unique.

 

If this is required to make a person a good wine steward;

what should be required of us to be called

 stewards of the mysteries of God?

Paul suggests that we be trustworthy.

Are you reliable?

Are you dependable?

In our world today we are faced with too many

instances where we cannot trust.

The internet confirms that you cannot trust everything

just because it is published.

We often do not know who we can trust or who we should trust.

We discover too late that we should not have trusted someone.

In my classroom I had children that could not trust their own parents.

How sad is that?

 

We must make a conscious commitment to be trustworthy.

It is a moral value we should be able to practice.

Even Jesus was betrayed by someone he trusted to be a

steward of the mysteries of God.

 

"...Commit to the LORD your way;
trust in him, and he will act.

Turn from evil and do good..."

 

When we read the psalmist encouraging us

to commit to the Lord

and trust him, we have doubts.

If we are truly a trustworthy person we will be about doing good.

Trusting in the Lord requires us to admit

that we are not in control.

 

"Can you make the wedding guests fast
while the bridegroom is with them?"

 

When Jesus is present to you it is a time for rejoicing.

It would be rude to fast when the Lord comes to his feast.

 

Years ago we were required to fast before receiving Eucharist

from the night before until the Mass.

It was difficult for many people to abstain from food for so many hours.

Now the more reasonable one hour of fasting is easily met.

 

After you have been fasting the taste of food is much more appreciated.

Fasting can be used as a reminder of how God meets our needs.

Fasting reminds us that we take food for granted.

Somehow when you can't have something

it makes you want it even more.

Funny how our brain plays that trick on us.

 

 

I invite you to look

at fasting as the opportunity

to be more aware of your body.

Fasting can give us the chance to be grateful

for how remarkable our bodies are made.

 

When you are in the presence of the Lord

he offers abundant nourishment.

But when he is gone, fasting may signify

our longing to be in his presence once again.

 

If you desire to live in a manner to be

a steward of the mysteries of God,

 learn all you can about our God.

Be diligent about growing in the knowledge of his mysteries.

Make the intention in your prayer time to become

the best steward God could have ever chosen. 

 

...he will bring to light what is hidden in darkness...
...and will manifest the motives of our hearts...

May our desire to be good and trustworthy

stewards of the mysteries of God

keep us close by his side.

Take Off Your Sunglasses

 ~~~ Isaiah 58:1-9a ~~~ Psalm 51 ~~~ Matthew 9: 14-15 ~~~

Have you ever noticed that whenever a person does not want to be recognized the first thing they put on is sunglasses. Celebrities are often seen being hurriedly whisked away into their waiting limo wearing sunglasses. The darkness of the tinted lens, while providing protection from harmful UV light, also hides your eyes. Eyes hidden behind these lens cannot be seen by others.

I believe your eyes are the windows into your soul, as some writers have previously stated. If your eyes are shielded from the sight of others what could that imply?

I would offer a connection between sunglasses and the words from the Isaiah reading today.

Those fasting with heads downcast covered in ashes wearing their penitential sackcloth are in fact wearing sunglasses. Their view of their world is dark, introverted and self centered. They are only looking down seeing nothing but the dirt and mud in their path. They do not look out. They do not see others. They do not make any attempt at eye contact. Eye contact at this point might be uncomfortable.

I personally dislike talking with someone wearing sunglasses precisely because I cannot see their eyes. Our eyes are so very expressive. You can tell if a person is joyful or sad by looking into their eyes. Some time ago I created a YouTube video titled Eye Gazing. It is simply suggesting that you spend time gazing into the eyes of Jesus. Meditating on his loving gaze can bring deep peace to your soul.

Today Isaiah is saying hey guys take off those dark glasses. Open your eyes. Look up and you will see what really matters to God. "What is the purpose having your eyes fixed on the ground?" asks, Jesus. Therefore, if what you are doing is ineffective I am not even going to acknowledge your actions.  

Jesus enters the scene saying, 'take off the sunglasses' and you will be able to see what I see. If you take off those dark glasses you will see those who are in most need of your attention. You know the ones you try to ignore by bowing down looking at the dirt and shading your eyes.

Look around and you will see those whom God cares most about...the oppressed, the hungry, the poor, naked, and the homeless to name a few. When you look up at these faces and into these eyes, my friends, find compassion in your heart. Take action on their behalf. Get up from your introverted ash covered penitential pieties and do something for those in need. Do something to help your brothers and sisters who are  suffering. There are opportunities all around if you but open your eyes and look.

When you reach out to those less fortunate you come to realize how blessed you are. You come to understand that hiding behind your sunglasses is not all that pleasing to God.

The Lord says, if you help those in need; when you call on me to come to your aid I will say, "Here I am!

You may find it surprising, but helping the less fortunate in our community does have a gold lining.

In the act of reaching out to help another your own burdens are lifted.

God will say to you, "Here I am1"

 So during this Lent I invite you to take off your sunglasses...

see where you can help another person in need.

 Join the psalmist...Let your sacrifice be a contrite and humble heart.

Trapped in the Old Wineskin

Mark 2: 18-22

"...no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the skins are ruined. Rather new wine is poured into fresh wineskins."

Well I have to admit when I first read these verses I am offended as I am getting up into the older segment of the population. Am I then to consider my self to be an old wineskin? A wineskin not worthy of new wine?

All joking aside the real issue in this chapter of Mark is the topic of fasting. Why or Why not? Obligation or not?

Once again we have the Pharisees trying to stir up trouble among the followers of Jesus. They try the same tactics a child may use with their parents. The child's argument may go something like...why does Johnny get to do ___, and I cannot? The Pharisees try to cause tension among the disciples. They try to make them believe that by not fasting as was customary they were doing something wrong. "Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?"

Jesus responds with a reference to the wedding party where the guests would certainly not fast as long as they were with the bridegroom. Jesus is in effect saying this is one of those times when it is permissible to deviate from the norm. It is much like allowing your kids to stay up past their bedtime when their grandparents are visiting. When the grandparents leave things will return to normal; in bed at 8:30 pm. if that is the rule.

The Pharisees did not want things to change; and they certainly did not want Jesus to be the one instigating any changes. In reality the Pharisees felt very threatened by Jesus and all the he represented.

I do not think we are that different from the Pharisees. In many ways we do not like change either. Take a moment right now to think about the changes in your life that you do not like. I can think of many in my own life.

Fasting for that time period meant you did not eat anything not just meat. So you can imagine how grumpy some people were from not eating. Maybe that is the promary problem with the Pharisees; they were just hungry. I know when I am hungry I cannot even think straight; I get grouchy and short-tempered. (I am not trying to discuss the pros and cons of fasting here.)

Jesus was the new wineskin and the new wine the Pharisees were the old wineskins. They were blinded by their stict adherence to the old laws. They were unable to see any reason for not fasting. They could not rejoice in the Lord!

The original picture I chose for this kaleidoscope was of a bare winter tree,

because if we cannot change and move forward we will cease to grow;

we will remain as bare branches.

While I too am challenged by change I believe it is necessary.

May you find a way to embrace change in your life and see it as catalyst for growth.