The trendy faction of the Anglican Communion is suggesting a “carbon fast” for Lent:
Archbishop Thabo Makgoba has invited Anglicans around the globe to join him in a Carbon Fast for Lent.
This is excellent news, as I’ve just learned that earthworms are a significant contributor to global warming.
No matter how strong the temptation to the contrary, I will be eschewing all contact with carbon spewing earthworms this Lent.
Can I buy carbon credits for my wife’s Chili?
I heard on a Christian radio station this week someone explaining that the purpose for giving up something for Lent is to keep us mindful of how great was the sacrifice that Jesus gave on the cross.
If you think that what you give up is anything just try to imagine how much more it was that Jesus gave.
Sorry that anyone feels that a carbon fast would have anything to do with the true purpose of Lent.
Very true.
The time and money one saves in “giving up” something for Lent can be used for prayer, bible study, worship, service and gifts of charity to the poor and underprivileged.
Fasting during Lent is not to loose weight, save money for a new “flat-screen” or a nice vacation, or to earn God’s grace.
A carbon fast smells to me of politics, ideology or worse, self-aggrandizement and self-righteousness.
Self-righteousness before, during and after a Lenten “fast” probably does little to make one feel more humble in the presence of the crucified God.
I thought I read somewhere, that Lent evolved from the Early Church’s practice of preparing new Christians for Baptism, which happened at the Easter Celebration. I read it took three years of instruction to prepare for Baptism, and in the last six weeks, the accolates (new Christians) practiced prayer and fasting. Thus, as time passed, this evolved into a more general practice, of all Christians, being penitent, to prepare for Easter.
I agree with Sask Farmer, that individual piety practices can hide self-righteous concerns. Brother Roger of the Taize Community, once wrote somewhere for his brother monks, “don’t practice useless asceticism, unless it is to draw nearer to Christ, to deepen one’s own prayer life”.
Can introduce some bishops to my carbon foot-print?
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