During the second of the 2012 Lenten Series presentation, Bishop Tom Breidenthal stressed that fasting is a discipline whose goal is self-denial. Self-denial in turn is for purposes of connecting to others.
He cited St. Francis of Assisi as the best example.
Born into wealth, St. Francis gave up all material possession – deprived himself – so that he could connect not only with other people but also with nature and all creation. Thus, self-denial serves as an interruption of the distortion of who we are.
Indeed, materialism and consumerism are directed towards self. By stepping out of that comfort zone, one is reminded of who he or she is and enabled to be – and actually remain – connected. That is the purpose of fasting; that is the essence of self-denial.
The church encourages this discipline for all times but the season of Lent serves as a reminder of its importance. In Islam, Ramadhan is a good parallel.
Thus, the church serves as a school for this discipline of self-denial. Here, Bishop Breidenthal compared the church to what synagogue is, in Yiddish – Shul – which literally means “school” (Schulle, in German).
Next Wednesday, March 14, The Rev. Scott Gunn will present the third topic in the series: Meditate on God's holy Word: Is it on YouTube? As pointed out earlier, these presentations are serious and fun at the same time.
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