Feb
28
A Humble, Contrite Heart You Will Not Spurn—Friday after Ash Wednesday
Isaiah 58:1–9a; Matthew 9:14–15
Today is our first day of abstinence following Ash Wednesday’s fasting and abstinence. Abstaining from meat doesn’t seem quite as challenging after a fast day, but some of us still struggle, especially when tempted with the aromas of burgers cooking on a grill, or a rotisserie chicken roasting in the supermarket. I should probably stop right there before you all give me the St. Stephen treatment. We have our minimal fasting requirements in the western Church. Our eastern Christian brothers and sisters embrace this practice much more intently. They begin fasting before Lent, and they essentially eat a vegan diet with no oil or wine through the entirety of Lent.
Clearly the ancient Jews took fasting very seriously.
Today is our first day of abstinence following Ash Wednesday’s fasting and abstinence. Abstaining from meat doesn’t seem quite as challenging after a fast day, but some of us still struggle, especially when tempted with the aromas of burgers cooking on a grill, or a rotisserie chicken roasting in the supermarket. I should probably stop right there before you all give me the St. Stephen treatment. We have our minimal fasting requirements in the western Church. Our eastern Christian brothers and sisters embrace this practice much more intently. They begin fasting before Lent, and they essentially eat a vegan diet with no oil or wine through the entirety of Lent.
Clearly the ancient Jews took fasting very seriously.
