My update today is to be working on my presentation at the Interfaith gathering Sunday evening. I should be cleared to drive by then (one handed, but still safely). The 72 hour rule expires at Noon Sunday.
Pray I aid in the effort to bring greater harmony and understanding between the faiths present at the gathering. May we enjoy the divine benevolence of presence, community and acceptance. Now more than ever.
If you wish to comment, please do! I accept any and all comments to help!
My Notes as I prepare Interreligious connections to feasts and fasting (max 3-5 minutes). I will verbally trim for the event:
(1) Feast and fast both teach us that life is a gift. Feast teaches us to receive with gratitude; fast teaches us that we do not possess the gift as if it were ours alone.
(2) The booth Feast is both memory and invitation: (a) memory that God sustained a people in fragile dwellings, and; (b) our invitation to the Holy One to dwell among us still. First it is the offer – I, the Lord, wish to dwell with you, And second our invitational response: Stay with us Lord. Such, the necessity of the reliance of Divine Care.
(3) Fasting is a Call to Service. Traditionally, the merit of a particular fast of a particular individual is in direct proportion to the Charity Dispensed. To fast and yet neglect the poor perverts religion (The New Jerome Biblical Commentary, 21:54 x-ref Matt 25:31-46).
(4) Fasting is preparation for Mystical Knowledge (Daniel/Jesus). As a preparation for divine gifts. Gifts are gifts, freely given. Our disposition of fully receiving the gift is in our preparation. Open my eyes to see clearly (Ps 119:18a; Mt 4:2).
(5) Fasting is a Communal Repentance. When we fast we acknowledge the most foundation truth of all:
There is a God. It isn’t me.
(6) Fasting is Obedience. An act of self-control and interdependence. Is my body obedient to a simple command? Or has my mind lost control of my personhood? If I cannot command my appetite, how can I command myself to love?
(7) Fasts and Feasts are really the same thing at different points in time. Perhaps the most challenging truth. In the first instance we are grateful for the benevolent aid provided during difficult times. In the second instance we are repairing our part of the foundation of the festive divine relationship. My feast must have a fast – a realignment, a repair, a chiropractic adjustment such that our divine feasts may be all the more joyful. We joyfully fast that we might joyfully feast.
(8) Feasts and Fasting are shelter manifested in us! Divine shelter becoming human shelter. This is our common goal. Shelter one another!
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
We went to the harvest and Thanksgiving festival at the church in the town near us last di day because our church will hold the Harvest/Thanksgiving festival on the second Sunday of October and I’m away so to not miss it , as it is one of my favourite celebrations , I went to the church in the next village that was having theirs. Beautiful.
Enjoy the gathering 🙏🏻🍁🥮
Yes!! Autumn has arrived!!