Lent Day 38, Friday, March 22, 2024

“24-Hour Fast”

It’s Friday.  It’s also the first of two back-to-back, food-fasting Fridays.  Gee, that has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?  But wait!  Don’t turn clear the page until you read the information below.  This may not be as difficult as it sounds.

This perennial powerhouse of Lenten Challenges makes it to the finals every year.  Today’s Challenge, to refrain from all food products for 24 hours (not drinks!), begins with the last moment you consumed food.  Since all drinks are okay today, your morning coffee is just fine.  Also allowed will be soft drinks, smoothies, milkshakes, and even your favorite after-hours drink preferences.  In other words, you can do this!

This big-leaguer of Lenten sacrifices has been around for thousands of years, and in case you didn’t know, food-fasting has been practiced by almost every major religion in history.  This recurring finalist is a sure thing to make it to the final four next week, so today’s Challenge is not to be considered a one-and-done.

If you make an effort at this Lenten Challenge and don’t succeed, you will see this one again next Friday.  In other words, all of us will receive another shot at this one next week.  However, this doesn’t mean we can’t put forth our best effort today.  In fact, the best approach is to put forth our best effort on this Challenge so that the lessons we learn can be immediately applied to next week’s effort.

Today’s Lenten Challenge is to refrain from food for 24 hours.  As mentioned above, all drinks (and vitamins) are fine, even if it’s a cheeseburger in a blender.  This isn’t as difficult as it seems.  If you haven’t eaten any food today, begin counting from the last food you consumed yesterday.  Once you hit the 24-hour mark, you’re done!

Happy Friday!  No Food for 24 hours!

“When you fast, brush your hair and wash your face.  Then you won’t look like you are fasting to people, but only to your Father who is present in that secret place. Your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”  (Matthew 6:17-18, CEB)