Isaiah 58:1-12
"Ash Wednesday" - Years A, B, C
Isaiah 58:1-12 or Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Psalm 51:1-17
We have had difficult days. We have done our best to influence G*D through our fasting and prayers. That hasn't worked.
"Well, of course not, these are not techniques to manipulate but relationship deepeners. If you keep going at things the way you have been, things are going to be far worse than they are."
Have mercy! Our sacrifices haven't gotten us what we desired. Now we have to choose to keep at what we find to sometimes get us what we want or risk a whole new way that brings no guarantee that it will be as effective as our current results, sometimes.
"Injustice always, eventually, leads to difficulty for all. If your fasts and prayers are not intimately connected with justice, they are ultimately useless."
Have mercy! We are discontent with the current state of affairs and afraid to change for the better because it might not be.
"You didn't arrive overnight at our current position of being damned if you stay the same and scared to be different. Give this one thing an adequate test of three generations -- share your bread with the hungry. You shall then be called "the repairers of the breach" and your healing shall spring up quickly.
Have mercy! Let us gather the people. Call a solemn assembly to refind our joy of being connected, for better and for worse, with one another and G*D. Perhaps we might yet be mercy!
http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2005/february2005.html
Isaiah 58:1-12 or Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Fasting clarifies relationships from both sides. In the covenant between G*D and creation it shows grace and mercy that steadfastly persists and releases. It also reveals decisions for justice and freedom for others based on solidarity with the oppressed, hungry, and homeless.
As we put our usual support structures at risk, no matter whether for a long or short time, we find ourselves at a "thin place". You may want to browse the article "Where Can I Touch the Edge of Heaven" to get a feel for this out of another spiritual tradition.
http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2006/march2006.html
Isaiah 58:1-12
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
There is much magical thinking that goes on. If I do "this", then "that" will happen. We come up with all manner of rituals in our attempt to control life. Little by little our rituals cover over the intended change we are looking for and we settle for form instead of functional change.
A piece of good news worth celebrating is that our habits are not fate and we can once again see what it is they were attempting to accomplish.
In terms of fasting we are called to look behind a form of refraining from food and the wearing of discomfort. What was once a laudable spirit quest became formulaic and can now be released.
Unsatisfied with your life? Fasting is not a self-help process to hike yourself up by your bootstraps. Rather, look at your context. It will contain a call to return to community/G*D/love - to fast appropriately. Fasting needs to be healthy, both inhaling and exhaling. Loose a bond of injustice and find health. Undo a yoke of oppression and find health. Share bread and space and find health. Cover nakedness and restore kinship and find health. This is a corollary of, "None will be saved, until all are saved."
- - -
Where shall the word be found, where will the word
Resound? Not here, there is not enough silence
Not on the sea or on the islands, not
On the mainland, in the desert or the rain land,
For those who walk in darkness
Both in the day time and in the night time
The right time and the right place are not here
No place of grace for those who avoid the face
No time to rejoice for those who walk among noise and deny the voice
[from Ash Wednesday by T.S. Eliot]
fast for silence
fast together with walkers in darkness
fast behind veiled light
face a face of hope
face a face of now
face a face of ever
fast, now, fast
face each other
fast, face grace
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2007_02_01_archive.html
Trumpet Desolation! Shout Hypocrisy!
These two are wedded through the generations. Trouble is brewing again.
Where have our hearts strayed? When was our humility avoided? How did our common humanity become over-ridden? Who are we to return, repair, and rebuild?
Regather and reask: G*D? Neighbor?
Listen carefully.
The universe is gracious. When food comes to the hungry and the afflicted are healed, light is gathered in the darkness and gloom dispersed. Be food. Be light. Be.
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2014/03/joel-21-2-12-17-or-isaiah-581-12.html