“ADVENT MIDWEEK TWO 2024”
Saint Matthew 6: 16a
Midweek 2: December 12 Anno Domini 2024
Fr Jay Watson, SSP
But isn’t Advent supposed to be all cheerful and joyously expectant—Christmas is coming, and all that? Well, yes, sort of. But if a Christian correctly remembers that Christ was born—IN THE FLESH—specifically so that He could be the new, final, and perfect Adam; to keep the Law and to suffer and die for you, then how should you wait? How should you be ready and expectant?
You probably will give Alms. You will no doubt pray, even more so during Advent than in June…maybe. But you are not going to fast. But I will preach fasting nonetheless because it is a Lenten, and I suggest also an Advent, discipline. Even though your Americanized gluttony, your misunderstanding of “Gospel freedom,” turning salutary customs into mere preferences, and you “Old Adam,” I preach the truth of Holy Scripture!
Fasting is mentioned some 21 times in the Bible, 10 times in the Old Testament and 11 times in the New. It was done. Why do you not do it? It was done both because God called for it, and because His people knew that because of that it was good. Could it be abused? Yes. Could people with false and duplicitous unbelieving hearts, do it? Yes. So, please do not fast if you are an unbeliever.
After the Hebrews returned from Babylonian captivity disobeyed God and took to themselves pagan wives, they fasted in repentance at the direction of Nehemiah [Neh. 9. 1-3].
When the Jews had the sentence of sure death proclaimed against them by King Ahasuerus (Shushan in Persia) Queen Esther proclaimed a fast and the people obeyed [Es. 4. 3]. Do you have any enemies? Well.
Thrice in the Psalter fasting is mentioned, once being a type of the coming Christ: “but as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom” [Ps. 35 .13].
The Prophet Jeremiah mentioned the “fasting day” [Jer. 36. 6]. The Prophet Joel writes of it [Joel 2. 12]. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—AND the Prophet Daniel fasted. It was the norm, the practice.
Oh, but that is just like the prohibition on eating pork and shellfish. No, no it is not.
And when Jonah preached the condemning and killing Law of God to Ninevah, even the King and all his people fasted. Even Persian King Darius fasted on behalf of Daniel when he was tossed into the lion’s den; fasted and implored God’s mercy. Does the Word of God constrain you?
Anna, before being given the gift of beholding the infant Christ “served God with fastings and prayers night and day” [Lk. 2. 37]. Can you fast on Sunday mornings before receiving the very Body and Blood of that same Christ on a Sunday morning?
Many of you were present at a Sunday Morning “SounDoctrine” class about a year ago when we worked through Fr. Ian Kinney’s outline on fasting which he had delivered at Trinity Lutheran Church, Wichita, for the annual ‘Lectures on Lutheranism.’ You heard how the blessed Church Fathers advocated this discipline; you heard how the Church for 2,000 years has so practiced it in both “fasting” and “abstaining,” any you even heard of all the medical benefits.
While some Lutherans do fast, more in due course, it is still viable and current amongst the Roman Catholics, and Eastern Orthodox. And for you apologist lovers, readers, and Anglophiles—the great C.S. Lewis practiced fasting.
You know what The Reformer said: “fasting and bodily preparation are indeed a fine outward training.” He was speaking to the issue of “who…receives [the] Sacrament worthily.”
Full disclosure—for The Truth is always disclosed; “one is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words ‘given and shed for you for the remission of sins.’” But note, Luther is still an advocate of the outward training of fasting.
We must conclude with Jesus, and with His Good NEWS, Adventide Gospel.
Jesus says: “when ye fast” [Mt. 6. 16a]. He does not temper it or give you cafeteria options; no “if” you fast, but “when.” The Word of The Lord.
But the Gospel? Well, the evangel of your Lord is always from His work, including His own fasting—40 days in desert combat with the dragon. His own suffering and death on Calvary—where His six hours of fasting, hearken back to the six days of creation. His bloody six hour fast of re-creation for you: your Redemption and imputed image restored!
Your disciplined prayer-life will be preached upon next Thursday. But when it comes to your prayers, or, your Scripture reading, or, your meditation on Holy + Baptism; how is it going? Remember Christ’s instructions after He exorcized a demon where the “12” were unable: “[they]…said (to Jesus), why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief…howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting” [Mt. 17. 19-21].
My The Holy Ghost guide you all in wisdom, prudence, and discipline. May all your fasting be like your folding of hands, bowing of heads, and tracings of the Holy sign of the cross.
The Gospel. Any fast always comes to an end on Sunday morning; and, on Thursday mid-week Masses.
The disciples of Saint John the Baptist fasted and even became a bit indignant that the “12” were not fasting when they sat with Jesus.
“And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the Bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the Bridegroom with them, they cannot fast” [Mk. 2. 19].
Tonight, fellow Lambs, Kings, and Queens; tonight, you feast!
In The Name of The Father and of + The Son and of The Holy Ghost
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