My Sacrifice, O God, Is a Contrite Spirit

My Sacrifice, O God, Is a Contrite Spirit 

February 15, 2013

Friday After Ash Wednesday

By Melanie Rigney

This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own. (Isaiah 58:6-7)

My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. (Psalms 51:19)

The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.” (Matthew 9:14-15) 

Piety

Lord, I long to give you the sacrifice You desire, but that can be an exceptionally difficult thing. It’s so much easier to give You what is easy. I ask for the strength I need to serve You best.

Study

One year when I was a child, my Lenten sacrifice was not to watch The Beverly Hillbillies. Now, while that may sound impressive if you’re of a certain age, it really wasn’t. It was my sister Maureen who loved the Clampetts and the Drysdales and the doorbell gags. For me, the show wasn’t a big deal either way. That’s why I gave it up; it was easy. I did not give up what was my favorite show at the time, Petticoat Junction.

Those childish attitudes about Lent and about sacrifice can be difficult to set aside. As we hear from Isaiah and David today, it’s not about checking a list, adding what’s easy to squeeze into our schedules and taking away things we’d rather not be doing anyway.

Rather, it’s about opening our eyes and hearts and souls to the distinct possibility that we’ve been missing something. Maybe it’s an opportunity to take time off from work and volunteer at a homeless shelter. Maybe it’s about getting away from Twitter, Facebook, texting, and the rest to spend some evenings with an ailing friend or entertaining folks at an assisted living center. Maybe it’s about putting time with God before playing Angry Birds or Words with Friends or Free Cell.

It’s uncomfortable to offer up the fasting God wishes. But it’s that kind of stretching and intent that leads to a deeper, more profound relationship long term. Give it a try.

Action

Consider your Lenten “adding” and “subtracting” intentions. Is there anything you’re giving yourself a pass on?