An Acceptable Fast

"Is not this the fast that I choose:

to loose the bonds of injustice,

to undo the thongs of the yoke,

to let the oppressed go free,

and to break every yoke?"

Isaiah 58:6

In my time of spiritual immaturity, I often chose to fast from chocolate. For some that's easy to do because they are not chocoholics as I am. So fasting from chocolate for Lent is no big deal for them. 

In one church I announced I was fasting from chocolate for Lent. The folks in the church thought it would be fun to see if they could "lead me into temptation" by offering chocolate goodies at coffee hour. I did not "yield unto temptation."

On Easter Sunday one family invited Elaine and me to dinner. It was a well prepared meal with typical Easter offerings. And for dessert? A THICK, CREAMY, HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE PIE!

This, of course, is not what fasting is about. Isaiah makes that clear in vs.6 where the Lord has defined an acceptable fast.  Isaiah 58's criticism is for people who they are  concerned about appearing outwardly righteous. After the destruction of Jerusalem, fast days were kept on a regular basis asking the Lord for forgiveness and blessing. However, the fasts are full of violence and oppression of workers, so Isaiah condemns the fast days.

This passage could strike a chord with our own times. Consider those who claim to keep a fast but don't practice peace and justice. Consider self-professed Christians happily enjoying relaxation at the expense of exhausting others at home and abroad. Consider how the international economy exploits and disempowers labor in favor of capital. 

It seems to me that an acceptable fast is caring for the hungry, thirsty, sick and in prison.

I regard acceptable fasting as refraining from words and actions that hurt as well as negative emotions and attitudes. It is consoling, offering hope, bringing light into the darkness of a soul.

What other thoughts do you have about an acceptable fast?

Thunder Hole

 "God is our refuge and strength, 

an ever-present help in trouble. 

Therefore we will not fear, 

though its waters roar and foam 

and the mountains quake with their surging."

Psalm 46:1-2

Thunder Hole is a main attraction in Acadia N.P. The best time to see the waves crashing over the rocks is at 3/4 rising tide after a storm at sea. That's when raging "waters roar and foam" with a terrifying power. For safety the Park has installed walkways and safety railings. 

In August 2009,  Hurricane Bill’s storm surge struck with fierce power as the raging waves lashed up and crashed on sightseers. The waves swept over 20 people; 11 were taken to the hospital for broken bones, three swept, into the turbulent sea, one of which died.

Psalm 46 states the good news that God is “with us.” That's reinforced in the refrain in verses 7 & 11

 "The Lord Almighty is with us;

    the God of Jacob is our fortress."

Thus, Psalm 46, is often labeled a psalm of trust. Because God claims the world and all its peoples, God can be trusted to be a powerful, protecting presence.

Trust God. God is an ever-present help even in your in “the darkest valley,” should it feel as though you are swept away by "turbulent sea".

Trust God. God is an ever-present help. As we face the threat of a global pandemic, God’s presence offers the promise of being able to live without fear.

Trust God. God is an ever-present help. Verse 10 says "Be still, and know that I am God!” . which is a clear call for a universal cease-fire. It's like God saying, "drop your guns!"

Trust God. God is an ever-present help. Trusting God gives us not the courage to wage war, but rather the courage to wage peace!

Trust God. God is an ever-present help. Psalm 46, God’s vision of a world at peace, reminds us that all things are possible with God!

Trust God. God is an ever-present help.

On Eagles Wings

But those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary,

 they shall walk and not faint.

 Isaiah 40:31 

As of yet I haven't been able to schedule an appointment for a COVID vaccination. Moreover, I am confused. It seems the virus is mutating into something more easily spread and more dangerous. It feels as though the vaccine can't be produced and distributed fast enough. 

I am confused when people resist getting vaccinated. Some simply resist any vaccine and some resist for political reasons even though science has shown a virus may be controlled, but not necessarily leave the body. For example, after having childhood measles people may experience a shingles outbreak.

I wonder how we will ever get back to normal. I wonder about grief over losses and the long-term impact on mental health.

Isaiah was writing for the Israelites who were lamenting their situation of captivity. They felt abandoned by God. They were weary and exhausted in their circumstances.

Isaiah reminds them;

Have you not known? Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God,

    the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He does not faint or grow weary;

Instead, Isaiah says,

He gives power to the faint,

    and strengthens the powerless.

 They shall mount up with wings like eagles

He reminds the Israelites God gives them power and  strength to rise and dip  and soar as does an eagle. God has not abandoned them in their circumstances, but has been with them from the "foundations of the earth".

With certainty I say, we may be impatient, confused, and wondering about the Covid virus and vaccine, but we have known and heard that as we wait for the Lord, we will be given strength. Like an eagle soaring above a storm, so the Lord will strengthen our spirits through our impatience, confusion, and wondering. 

Down at the River

In those days Jesus came from

 Nazareth of Galilee

and was baptized by 

John in the Jordan.

Mark 1:9

As seminarian one of my duties was teaching the confirmation class. On communion Sunday it was the pastor's practice to lay his hand on the shoulder of a confirmand and say a brief blessing instead of serving the elements. The pastor came to one confirmand, placed bread in his hand, realized the youth hadn't been confirmed, and took the bread back. 

Something didn't seem right with that action. 

That was followed by a professor who said that confirmation is a ritual in search of a meaning. This was also the beginning of my journey in understanding Christian baptism.

That journey led to the following conclusions:

• Christian baptism by water and the Spirit is a commitment to following Jesus manifesto of the Great Commandment, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and healing the sick.
• It is a commitment to resisting evil, injustice and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves.
• It is unconditional inclusion into the community of Christ we call the Church and therefore a place at the Lord's Table.
• It is a "means of grace"
• Confirmation is renewing the vows made at our baptism. 
• Remembering we are baptized is key to remembering what Christian living means.

Jesus never said following him was easy. It wasn't then. It isn't now. But of one thing I am certain, baptism by water and the Spirit empowers us do our best at living the baptized life. 

I am also certain that, by Grace, God accepts our efforts.