Both scripture readings in today's Eucharistic liturgy focus our hearts upon the nature of fasting. For sure, the days of fasting, so strongly encouraged some years ago, seem to have become items for the historical curio cabinet. For most people today, fasting has become little more than an instrument of torture to bring about weight loss. Were Isaiah writing God’s inspired words today, he might easily adapt these verses (58:1-9a) to address the perceived perception of the value of fasting.
While studying philosophy -- many years ago, to be sure -- one professor introduced us to the writings and thinking of the Dutch philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard. In a parable-like story, a young king, lonely and wifeless, encountered “the most beautiful woman” he had ever seen. He was smitten. He wished she would be his queen. He constructed ways to make this desire a reality: an official order; inundation with gifts and power; dressed as a countryman, come into her presence. Ultimately he realized that all of these ploys were his contriving to have his own way. He would never know with certainty that she would truly love him and want to be his queen. Finally, so smitten as he was, he opted for the simple life, putting aside all the trappings of power and wealth while living and working as one of the people. He relied solely on himself and what GOd had created in him. Soon thereafter he discovered himself and his queen! The story is attached at the end of this posting. It may further assist your reflection on Jesus' offering for you, for each of us.
Kierkegaard used this parable to trumpet the extraordinary gift we share in living with and benefitting from Jesus, the Son of God, the Incarnate Word. He “surrendered” his divinity to become one like us except in sin. He “vacated” his heavenly kingdom for you, for me.
Now, return for a moment to “fasting.” Genuine fasting can do wonders for the soul. The words of Yahweh to Isaiah and to us today are trumpeted to call us to recognize the purpose of and value of fasting -- purification. It leads beyond the purification of one’s body to a genuine openness to the graced of God available to us and others through us. Depriving ourselves during these forty days is less about the bathroom scale and more about learning who you are, who I am, and about the needs of others. Jesus become one of us to enrich us. Fasting is our giving up something of ourselves to better give back to God by giving and caring for others.
While studying philosophy -- many years ago, to be sure -- one professor introduced us to the writings and thinking of the Dutch philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard. In a parable-like story, a young king, lonely and wifeless, encountered “the most beautiful woman” he had ever seen. He was smitten. He wished she would be his queen. He constructed ways to make this desire a reality: an official order; inundation with gifts and power; dressed as a countryman, come into her presence. Ultimately he realized that all of these ploys were his contriving to have his own way. He would never know with certainty that she would truly love him and want to be his queen. Finally, so smitten as he was, he opted for the simple life, putting aside all the trappings of power and wealth while living and working as one of the people. He relied solely on himself and what GOd had created in him. Soon thereafter he discovered himself and his queen! The story is attached at the end of this posting. It may further assist your reflection on Jesus' offering for you, for each of us.
Kierkegaard used this parable to trumpet the extraordinary gift we share in living with and benefitting from Jesus, the Son of God, the Incarnate Word. He “surrendered” his divinity to become one like us except in sin. He “vacated” his heavenly kingdom for you, for me.
Now, return for a moment to “fasting.” Genuine fasting can do wonders for the soul. The words of Yahweh to Isaiah and to us today are trumpeted to call us to recognize the purpose of and value of fasting -- purification. It leads beyond the purification of one’s body to a genuine openness to the graced of God available to us and others through us. Depriving ourselves during these forty days is less about the bathroom scale and more about learning who you are, who I am, and about the needs of others. Jesus become one of us to enrich us. Fasting is our giving up something of ourselves to better give back to God by giving and caring for others.
(Artist Unknown)
This reflection led to the reading of an article, Kierkegaard for Grownups, by the late Fr. John Neuhaus, about Kierkegaard and Catholicism. A challenging read but filled with interesting insights and creative of the desire to read more of his writings.
The King and the Maiden
By Søren Kierkegaard
Suppose there was a king who loved a humble maiden. The king was like no other king. Every statesman trembled before his power. No one dared breathe a word against him, for he had the strength to crush all opponents. And yet this mighty king was melted by love for a humble maiden who lived in a poor village in his kingdom. How could he declare his love for her? In an odd sort of way, his kingliness tied his hands. If he brought her to the palace and crowned her head with jewels and clothed her body in royal robes, she would surely not resist-no one dared resist him. But would she love him?
She would say she loved him, of course, but would she truly? Or would she live with him in fear, nursing a private grief for the life she had left behind? Would she be happy at his side? How could he know for sure? If he rode to her forest cottage in his royal carriage, with an armed escort waving bright banners, that too would overwhelm her. He did not want a cringing subject. He wanted a lover, an equal. He wanted her to forget that he was a king and she a humble maiden and to let shared love cross the gulf between them. For it is only in love that the unequal can be made equal.
The king, convinced he could not elevate the maiden without crushing her freedom, resolved to descend to her. Clothed as a beggar, he approached her cottage with a worn cloak fluttering loose about him. This was not just a disguise – the king took on a totally new identity – He had renounced his throne to declare his love and to win hers.
