Daily Devotion for Lent 2024, Day 21

“And whenever you fast, do not look somber, like the hypocrites, for they mark their faces to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.  But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,  so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

                                                                        Matthew 6:16-18 (NRSVue)

 

The practice of fasting is not one that is common for United Methodists.  In fact, I would guess that the use of fasting has waned across religious groups in the United States.  Most people may practice a fast from something specific during Lent such as sweets, chocolate, ice cream, red meat, etc.  

One year for Lent, I did fast on Fridays which made for seven fasts during that season.  It was not easy but I believe it was beneficial.  There are some studies which seem to favor intermittent fasting as favorable to one's health.  Much of the time, when we fast (especially during Lent) from things that aren't good for our diet, I hear people talking about needing to lose weight anyway.  

We've all failed at mastery over food before

A physical need (weight loss) can actually become the impetus for a spiritual discipline.  Does this approximate the hypocrisy that Jesus warns us against?

What would be the spiritual benefit of a fast?

So much of our lives are ruled by our bodies - you can only go so long without sleep before it will drop you in your tracks.  If you're not breathing, you won't have more than a few minutes of life.  Hunger and thirst will slowly weaken us - even effecting our moods and responses.  To have a fast from food is a way to remind ourselves that we are more than our bodies.  We can recognize that while we do have needs, we can practice self-control over them.  Is there something to be gained by this?

I believe that times of recognition regarding the self in relation to the larger world are helpful.  We can see where we may be selfish.  We can more clearly determine between needs and wants.  We can remind ourselves that many people in the world today don't have a choice to end their hunger.

The statement of Jesus regarding hypocrisy seems to tell us that if we choose this spiritual discipline of fasting, we should not brag about it or use it for some other means (reward).  This is a reminder that spiritual disciplines are not primarily about us but rather they are about God.  If there is a benefit that comes with it (outside of growing closer to God, gaining wisdom or perspective, or having a greater mastery over the self), such as accolades or perceived humility, Jesus seems to be saying that this may be a temptation to make the discipline more about our own praise rather than the gains to our relationship with God.  

I do think it's okay to share with others about your fast - what you are giving up for Lent.  But this would be more from a normative practice - that our community of faith traditionally engages in spiritual disciplines.  It is helpful for our neighbors when they hear about it to possibly adopt a fast of their own.  But it does have some temptations of which we should be aware.  

It is important to continue your own spiritual disciplines such as prayer, scripture reading, or daily devotions.  It is okay to talk about them with others.  Just make sure you are doing this out of a sense of helping them rather than putting yourself forward as a spiritual guru. 

Prayer for the day: God, help us to know ourselves better.  Forgive us our insecurities that may lead us to seek accolades from our neighbors regarding how we relate to you, O God.  Rather, as we take on spiritual disciplines, may they give us greater insight to who you have created us to be.  And as we determine our own natures, may we find that this allow us to see our neighbors in a more gracious light.  We pray these things in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

 

Photo by Jamasca66 via Flickr.com.  Used under the Creative Commons license.  

New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. 

Daily Devotion for Lent 2024, Day 18

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before others in order to be seen by them, for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.  So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

                                                                Matthew 6:1-4 (NRSVue)

This passage really gets to the philosophical question of altruism.  Can a person be really selfless in their giving or actions?  We do receive something from giving or doing for others.  It can give us a sense of pride or satisfaction when we help with someone's need.

Jesus wants us to be aware that his disciples should not be doing something solely for self-promotion.  

This may go along with the idea of padding your resume' with philanthropic activities for college or another job.

When we do these kinds of things or when we are involved or give for the accolades we receive, we are not living up to a very high standard with regard to ethics or morality.  If you look at Lawrence Kohlberg's stages of morality, giving for praise is fairly low as far as the stages.  I would say it is either stage 2 (Self-interest) or stage 3 (Conformity).  In using the imagery of not letting your left hand know what your right hand is doing, Jesus seems to be urging us on to higher moral behavior.  In other words, we don't do something for accolades but rather because it becomes inherent in us to do the right thing.

Jesus seemed to think that giving to others should absolutely be done.  But if we are able to do this in secret, it may also allow the receiver of the gifts to retain their dignity.  If we make a public showing, this could also further delineate social standings between individuals.  This may keep a person from rising past the limitations society has blatantly or inadvertently placed upon them.

During Lent, we can do a healthy self-examination of our intentions when we give.  It may be that there are multiple reasons when we are honest with ourselves.  But as we seek to find our primary rationale, Jesus is asking us to give more out of being the hands and feet of God.  We love (give) because God loves (gives).

Prayer for the day: Bountiful God, we are thankful for all that we have received in life.  Within our gratitude, we also confess that we may often believe that we have earned most of it.  We may choose not to pay attention to the little things that have gone our way because we like to think that we are worthy of the resources under our sway.  Help us to understand that grace in our lives goes very far indeed.  May we look for ways that we can be the little thing in someone's life that could make a difference.  And may we do it because it is what you have already done for us.  We pray this in Jesus' name.  Amen.

 

Photo by *Hajee via Flickr.com.  Used under the Creative Commons License.

New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.