Week 4 – Fast from a privilege and for the poor.

Reflection

[Author’s Note: Most of these devotionals were written before the concern around the coronavirus. Even so, this week’s meditation on the Lord’s Prayer is especially relevant in these anxious times. And, the focus on loving the poor is all the more needed as the economic downturn begins to unfold.)

This week we’ll meditate on the treasure of the Lord’s Prayer as we reflect on loving the poor.

In Roman times, the senate conferred the title “Father of the Nation” on many of the emperors, including Augustus, under whom Jesus was born. Jesus reminds the citizens of God’s kingdom that their allegiance is to God in heaven rather than any pharaoh, emperor, or president.

What might cause people to hallow God’s name? The immediate context suggests the answer: a people who live the life described by the Sermon on the Mount. Try to imagine what this people would look like: a people whose heroes are peacemakers rather than celebrities, a people who bless the poor in spirit rather than the proud and haughty, a people known for their mercy rather than their dividing walls, a people who yearn for righteousness rather than wealth and security.

Such a people would be oddballs! But they also might inspire curiosity in and reverence for their good and loving God.

Action (Reflect)

Reflect on the previous week. Did you seek a path of peace with a personal or ideological enemy this past week? If so, did you learn anything through the process? If not, what obstacles stood in your way? If possible, make time to do this over the weekend.

Plan for the upcoming week. One of the great concerns of the Old Testament prophets was how Israel cared for the poor. Choose to fast from some kind of perk of wealth this week (something like meals out, shopping online, or coffee shops). Find a way to relate to the poor this week (some other way than giving money). Some ideas might be to ask a homeless person how he or she is doing and listen intently to the answer. Or, invite a poor person from your church or neighborhood over for dinner. If you find yourself poor, find a way to encourage another poor person this week.

Write out your fasting from/for commitment and send it to your Lenten exercise partners.