FAST

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this Friday after Ash  Wednesday  is, “Fast.”

It’s Lent and one of the  ideas for Lent is to focus on different ways we can be better as Christians an as Human Beings.

The 3   standard Lenten Practices are: Prayer - Fasting - and Giving Alms.

The practice I’m thinking of working on for this Lent is Fasting.

But in the following way: to be more aware of the food I eat.

To taste it more, to enjoy it more, to be more aware of the realities and the connections about the food I eat in communion with all people on the planet.

That’s possible

FASTING

Fasting is a practice in many religions: the various Christian religious groups, as well as in Judaism, Islam and the older religions like  Buddhism and Hinduism.

We see in today’s  two readings instances of fasting: especially among the Jews.

Isaiah in today’s first reading moves away from seeing fasting only as  a food issue. Isaiah warns us about not being a pain or a grouch.  Remember the old practice of someone giving up booze or smoking for Lent and everyone in the family wishes they didn’t - because they have become itchy and irritated and ill willed.

Isaiah also warns us about not making religion a way of showing off. We’ll find that happening over and over in Jesus’ time. And we find that in Chaucer and in literature and different stories down through the centuries.

So Jesus and Isaiah move thinking about fasting way beyond  food.

For example, we can fast from speaking too much and to  listen more. We can fast from TV and use that time for  playing cards - or talking with each other more  or reading or praying more.

FAST

When I hear the word “fast”-  I can think of its opposite: “slow!”

I’m going to   eat slower this Lent.

When I’m eating, I’m going to reflect upon where food comes from.

I’m going to try to be thankful for those who cook - who  farm - those who are truck drivers who deliver food to supermarkets. I’m going to think of cashiers - store managers, and on and on and on.

I’m going to try to be more aware of the symbolism of the table we eat at.

I’m going to think of those who plant wheat - those who cut down and bring wheat to the mills - those who make flour - those who bake bread.

So too wine and grapes.

I think of the summer I worked on Coca Cola trucks - it gives me memories and an understanding of that kind of work.

How many times have we heard that every kid should work as a waiter or waitress, dish waster, bus boy, what have you. I remember working at BINGO as a kid - selling bagels, donuts, egg rolls, soda, coffee, and soft drinks.

CONCLUSION

So instead of wolfing my food down - I can slowly be in communion with all those who brought this food to my table.

I can be in communion with the poor and the hungry as well.

I can slow down and enjoy my food as well. Amen.