Fasting & Solitude

A meditation by Christie A. Wood of the Mosaic Community

"Fasting and Solitude" meditation: How ironic. I was supposed to write a “normal” meditation on how refreshing it is to stop the hectic 21st Century pace and practice self-control and deliberate slowing down. Instead, I feel the world has been turned inside out.

At this moment, we are required to live in solitude and undergo a fasting the likes of which the world has never seen. I feel this particular fast is forced and mandated; full of uncertainty and desperation.

I usually look forward to a Lenten practice of refreshing solitude. This has suddenly morphed into fearful isolation. Schools closed. Travel restricted. Quarantines established. Celebrations postponed. Jobs lost. Even worship by proxy. God, is this the new normal?

I understand these restrictions are for all the right reasons: to prevent further spread of the coronavirus; to protect our most vulnerable members. But how do we as beloved children of God, act in kindness and compassion to lighten the burden of this time of forced fasting and social distancing?

I look to Jesus's example. Christ used self-imposed fasting and solitude as a spiritual practice to strip back distractions; to allow a closer intimacy with God. Take heart beloved children of God: even Jesus's fasting and solitude was temporary. Jesus did not become a hermit, living in self-imposed exile and deprivation. After his 40 days in the wilderness, he resumed life refreshed and full of purpose.

I pray to follow Christ's example in using mandated social distancing as a time to let the stresses of everyday life slip into the background; to meditate and reflect on my connection with God and with each other. To reconnect with hope.

I often find clarity of thought in solitude. Clarity to discern what is true and good from what are deceptions. To see with new eyes and hear with new ears the isolation all around and even within us. To move from fear into empathy and compassion. To see the pain and isolation of neighbors. To react with love and generosity. To offer services, goods, and money where needed. To humble myself to ask for help when I am overwhelmed. To find new ways of communication and community. To look beyond my small isolated pocket of safety, and move into compassionate action with those in need.

As surely as 9/11 or Pearl Harbor or the Great Depression left their indelible marks on the world, this pandemic will also leave its scars on this generation. How we choose to act within our fasting and solitude will define us as followers of Christ Jesus, and as a people.

My friends; let us pray...

We pray for those who are in forced isolation; those who are in locked-down living facilities; those who are in quarantine; those unable to return home due to travel restrictions; those who are forced to travel due to closures of schools and businesses.

We pray for those who are ill and suffering. We pray for health care workers and first responders; those who daily place their own lives in jeopardy to nurture and care for those with afflictions.

We pray for families whose lives are suddenly turned upside down; those who are without jobs; those who are working day-to-day with uncertainty of future employment; those who are having to make decisions concerning their employees; those who live paycheck to paycheck who are at risk of losing everything; and those who have already lost everything.

We pray for our students suddenly deprived of their normal educational institutes; for families having to contend with child care and home schooling; for education workers forced to instantly change their methods.

We pray for our leaders, and for leaders around the world. May their decisions be made with compassion and remembrance of their role to protect the vulnerable and the weak, and to support civic stability and kindness.

In all these things, we pray, using the prayer that our Lord and Savior taught us...

OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE THY NAME. THY KINGDOM COME. THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD, AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES, AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US, AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL. FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM, AND THE POWER, AND THE GLORY, FOREVER. AMEN.