The Cup of Fasting

Focus Statement

Ash Wednesday is a moment for us to reflect on Jesus’ suffering.

We partner in his suffering so that we may better see the experience of those who suffer daily

and work with them for lasting justice.

What Scripture Says

Today’s passage connects the practice of fasting,

which Christians often observe during Lent,

with the reality of what is happening in the world around us

and how we are called by God to respond to it.

During times of crisis, when the people of Israel felt God was far away,

they would fast as a way to repent or mourn.

Yet in this passage, the people wonder why God is not responding to their fasting in this time of trouble (Isaiah 58:3a).

The prophet tells the people that their fasting is not pleasing to God

because they are only engaging in it as a ritual.

They are not also acting in ways that please God

or that will bring about a just and peaceful future.

What This Means for Us

Commonly, people will practice fasting in Lent or “giving something up” for Lent.

The purpose is to engage our whole bodies in repentance –

turning away from sin and toward God –

remembering that we are human creatures with human needs.

Fasting can help us focus on God and prayer,

following Jesus’ example in the wilderness.

But, like the people of Israel in this passage,

our fasting can become just a ritual with no meaning.

Worse, fasting can become like a transaction with God:

“If I fast/give something up for God,

then God should answer my prayers,

God should do something for me.”

Isaiah calls out this type of thinking (verses 2-3).

Also, Isaiah points out that the self-denial of fasting is hypocritical

if those who practice it are serving their own interests and oppressing others.

Fasting, by itself, is not real repentance.

Through the prophet,

God reframed what real fasting, repentance, and self-denial entail (verses 6-7, 9b-10a).

For instance, fasting and repentance are not worth anything for a person who is posting about justice issues on social media,

but not showing kindness to the real people around them or acting on those issues.

The good news is that real repentance is possible.

Real repentance is active (not passive).

And real repentance brings healing both to the world and to the one who repents.

In verses 8-9 and 10b-12, the prophet describes what happens when we really repent

and our calls for God’s help are matched with actions that participate in bringing about God’s kin(g)dom.

We do not just fast,

but in our fasting, feed others and ourselves become “like a watered garden,

like a spring of water, whose waters never fail,” (verse 11b).

As we drink in God’s grace, we also become a source of it for others.

Throughout Lent, we will be looking at the image of a cup

and the various cups we come across in Scripture as well as in our lives.

Today we talk about the cup of fasting...

The emptied cup…the cup that is emptied so that it might be filled..,

Throughout Scripture and today,

God sustains God’s people in the most basic of human ways – physically, with food and drink, and spiritually – with food and drink for our souls.

This Lent, as we remember what it means to be human,

we will find refreshment from God’s fountain of grace.

The different images of cups shown in Scripture will serve as a touchpoint for exploring aspects of our relationship with God.

What does our brokenness say about us?

What does discipleship look like?

What does it mean to seek justice?

This exploration culminates in the most exciting celebration of all –

that Jesus is risen for us and we have new life in him! Amen!65bhm,