Christians have fasted (gone without food) and abstained (gone without certain foods, especially meat) since the beginning. The Book of Genesis teaches that all the plants and animals that God created and entrusted to human beings are good, especially those given to us as food (Genesis 1:29). Jesus taught that nothing that a person eats makes him or her evil (Mark 7:18). So why then do Christians fast and abstain?
When the devil tempts Jesus in the desert with a comfortable life and a full stomach, Jesus recalls the wisdom of Deuteronomy: "One does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" (8:3). Fasting and abstaining makes this real. It also hones our appetite, training us for the basic stance of a baptized person in this world: gratitude. Doesn't something taste better once you've truly hungered for it? Aren't we more grateful for what we've hungered and thirsted for?
Jesus recommended fasting, but not as a mere formality--and certainly not as a burden to be imposed on the poor who have to eat when they can, even if in violation of religious tradition. Instead Jesus recommended fasting when one fails to sense that God is near.
.
What then is the significance of abstaining from meat? And why eat fish? The tradition suggests a number of reasons. Some say that forgoing meat was forgoing a luxury, as meat was relatively rare for most people. This certainly would have been true in the ancient Mediterranean world in late winter-our time of Lent. Today this hardly seems true, since seafood is the luxury and hamburger costs pennies. And besides, the tradition is to abstain from meat, not necessarily to eat fish. Eating vegetables suffices.
The practice of eating fish is related to the day we typically abstain from meat: Friday. This is the day that Christ died, so abstaining from the shedding (and consuming) of blood seems appropriate. Friday, the sixth day, was also the day that God created animals, so abstaining from meat is a symbolic "stay of execution" for cows, pigs, and sheep--just as the cross saves us from eternal death.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Sunday, June 10, 2007
This poll was a shocker…
NOT! (I know, a cheap throw back to the 90's. Sorry.)
You scored as a Roman Catholic
You are Roman Catholic. Church tradition and ecclesial authority are hugely important, and the most important part of worship for you is mass. As the Mother of God, Mary is important in your theology, and as the communion of saints includes the living and the dead, you can also ask the saints to intercede for you.
Take the quiz, and see if you're still crazy too.
You scored as a Roman Catholic
You are Roman Catholic. Church tradition and ecclesial authority are hugely important, and the most important part of worship for you is mass. As the Mother of God, Mary is important in your theology, and as the communion of saints includes the living and the dead, you can also ask the saints to intercede for you.
Roman Catholic | 100% | ||
Neo orthodox | 79% | ||
Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan | 71% | ||
Emergent/Postmodern | 57% | ||
Classical Liberal | 43% | ||
Fundamentalist | 39% | ||
Charismatic/Pentecostal | 29% | ||
Modern Liberal | 25% | ||
Reformed Evangelical | 25% |
Take the quiz, and see if you're still crazy too.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
A grandmothers passing…
And Now My Lifesong Sings
On my way back from Phoenix I was listening to my ipod and thinking about the passing of my wife's grandmother and this song by Casting Crowns came on. I thought grandma would have appreciated it. I'll post the lyrics in the form of a poem and include a video below, of the song. We love you grandma… you will be missed.
I once was lost, but now I'm found
So far away, but I'm home now
I once was lost, but now I'm found
And my lifesong sings
I once was blind, but now I see
I don't know how, but when He touched me
I once was blind, but now I see
And now my lifesong sings
I once was dead, but now I live
Now my life to You I give
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Let my lifesong sing to You
On my way back from Phoenix I was listening to my ipod and thinking about the passing of my wife's grandmother and this song by Casting Crowns came on. I thought grandma would have appreciated it. I'll post the lyrics in the form of a poem and include a video below, of the song. We love you grandma… you will be missed.
I once was lost, but now I'm found
So far away, but I'm home now
I once was lost, but now I'm found
And my lifesong sings
I once was blind, but now I see
I don't know how, but when He touched me
I once was blind, but now I see
And now my lifesong sings
I once was dead, but now I live
Now my life to You I give
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Let my lifesong sing to You
And Now My Lifesong Sings by Casting Crowns. Video by Charlesc28
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
I know, I know, I know…
Please forgive me.
I haven't forgotten about my blog. I've just had a hard couple of weeks. On top of more freelance work "which I'm not complaining about", my parents were in a bad automobile accident on their way down to visit us for Memorial Day. They live in Arizona and crashed their vehicle going 65 mph outside of Tuba City on the Navajo, Hopi reservation. Anyway my dad broke his wrist so he was pretty lucky. My mother on the other hand, took most of the impact on her side. Her head went into the dashboard and that left her with multiple facial fractures, the worst of which was a broken jaw. Needless to say I flew to Phoenix on Friday morning to try to help out. While I was in Phoenix my wife's grandmother got very sick and ended up passing away on Monday, and I just got back into town today. Anyway I have some thoughts and experiences to share. So please check back soon. I will be busy the next few days with the funeral, then I will be back on. Thank you for your understanding and please include my family in your prayers, especially for my mothers quick recovery. God Bless.
I haven't forgotten about my blog. I've just had a hard couple of weeks. On top of more freelance work "which I'm not complaining about", my parents were in a bad automobile accident on their way down to visit us for Memorial Day. They live in Arizona and crashed their vehicle going 65 mph outside of Tuba City on the Navajo, Hopi reservation. Anyway my dad broke his wrist so he was pretty lucky. My mother on the other hand, took most of the impact on her side. Her head went into the dashboard and that left her with multiple facial fractures, the worst of which was a broken jaw. Needless to say I flew to Phoenix on Friday morning to try to help out. While I was in Phoenix my wife's grandmother got very sick and ended up passing away on Monday, and I just got back into town today. Anyway I have some thoughts and experiences to share. So please check back soon. I will be busy the next few days with the funeral, then I will be back on. Thank you for your understanding and please include my family in your prayers, especially for my mothers quick recovery. God Bless.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Memorial Day Post 2…
What an American homecoming should be!
As emotional as this reunion is, please pay special attention to the other people in the terminal, and their reaction.
As a side note. I think this is Salt Lake International Airport.
As emotional as this reunion is, please pay special attention to the other people in the terminal, and their reaction.
As a side note. I think this is Salt Lake International Airport.
Memorial Day Post 1…
A Hero's welcome!
If you haven't seen this video yet, what are you waiting for? God Bless the Brave men and women who serve our military, and their families here at home, that create the backbone of this country.
If you haven't seen this video yet, what are you waiting for? God Bless the Brave men and women who serve our military, and their families here at home, that create the backbone of this country.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
