Episode 317: Lenten Practices, Part Two--Fasting From Food

In the second episode of our series for Lent 2023, pastors Erica, Sarah, and Steve look at an ancient spiritual practice with roots not only in the past two thousand years of Christian history, but also going even further back to the spiritual life of ancient Israel: fasting from food. Whether it was Daniel and friends' fasting from meat as an act of defiance against the Babylonian Empire, the prophets' reminder not to separate fasting from social justice, or Jesus' teaching to fast without calling attention to ourselves, the Scriptures have plenty of suggestions for what this practice could look like in our lives.  But knowing, too, that our lives are complicated, our schedules are busy, and everyone in a household may not be able or willing to share in the same kind of dietary restrictions, it can be hard to practically observe any kind of fast for very long.  In this week's episode we'll explore some of the spirituality behind fasting, the different ways it can look, and why you might, or might not, choose to let this be a part of your Lenten season this year.