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Pastor Kenneth Lahners

The Gospel reading for Ash Wednesday is from Matthew 6, where Jesus tells about the proper way to give alms, pray, and fast (they are to be done in a way that does not draw attention to our piety).  It is noteworthy that Jesus says, “When you do” these things, not if you do these things.  And Jesus himself fasted at important times.  So the church early on understood these to be basic Christian practices, not as optional (we’ll come back to that point).

Early in the Church’s history, fasting was encouraged during Holy Week as a way to prepare for Easter.  Later, this time of fasting and penitence was extended to the forty days before Easter (not including Sundays), which had also been a time of preparation for catechumens who would be baptized on Easter eve.  This period of Lent eventually became marked in medieval times by mandated fasting. 

Such a lengthy period of penitence and fasting required some preparation in itself. This preparation in the days before Ash Wednesday was of a varied nature, as may be seen by some of its names.  In German lands it was called Fastnacht,which simply means “eve of the fast.”  In the lands of southern Europe, it was called Carnival which means “taking away meat.”  This again points to the upcoming fasting during Lent, as does the French word for the last day of Carnival: Mardi gras or “fat Tuesday.”  These names have become synonymous with revelry and excess, for this was a period of celebration and frolic during which meat, eggs, and grease were indulged in before abstaining during Lent. 

In England, this time was known as Shrovetide, culminating in Shrove Tuesday.  “Shriving” is hearing confession and granting absolution, which points to another aspect of this period: repentance of sins.  This dual nature of this pre-Lenten period is instructive: we need to celebrate as well as be penitent.  And as Lent demonstrates, there are times when we should fast, when we should deny ourselves.  This should not be a forced, legalistic practice, as it so easily can be and so often has been.  Rather, it should be a spiritual discipline that brings us closer to God.  Remember, Jesus said, “when you fast.”  He apparently understood it to be a vital part of the Christian life, just as prayer is.

Fasting helps us see what is necessary in life, helps us break free from being controlled by our appetites, and helps us put our focus on God so that we understand that our nourishment comes from him.  I encourage you this Lent, and at times throughout the year, to fast.  As your health permits you, find items in your diet from which to abstain (remember that Sundays in Lent, as throughout the year, are always regarded as feast days, not fast days).  (If you wish to observe a true fast of abstaining from meals for a period of time, there are resources to help you.  It may also be wise to consult with your doctor.)  Go through your daily life as usual in all other ways (Matthew 6:17).  As you mindfully leave certain things behind, think on the sacrifice of Jesus and God’s continual provision.  “And your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matt. 6:18).  What greater reward is there than walking closer with God?

~Pastor Kenneth