Archives by: Gary Hoag

Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?

Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.

Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and He will say: Here am I. If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.

The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. Isaiah 58:5-12

“First of all, take heed to thyself, and keep thyself from every wicked act, and from every filthy word, and from every hurtful desire; and purify thy mind from all the vanity of this present world. If thou shalt observe these things; this fast shall be right.

Thus therefore do. Having performed what is before written, that day on which thou fastest thou shalt taste nothing at all but bread and water; and computing the quantity of food which thou art want to eat upon other days, thou shalt lay aside the expense which thou shouldest have made that day, and give it unto the widow, the fatherless, and the poor.

And thus thou shalt perfect the humiliation of thy soul; that he who receives of it may satisfy his soul, and his prayer come up to the Lord God for thee. If therefore thou shalt thus accomplish thy fast, as I command thee, thy sacrifice shall be acceptable unto the Lord, and thy fast shall be written in his book.

This station, thus performed, is good and pleasing and acceptable unto the Lord. These things if thou shalt observe with thy children and with all thy house, thou shalt be happy. And whosoever, when they hear these things, shall do them, they also shall be happy; and whatsoever they shall ask of the Lord they shall receive it.”

Shepherd of Hermas (c. late first or early second century) in Similitudes 5:29-34.

How will you approach fasting this Lent? It’s only one week away.

Isaiah reminds us of the posture we must take as we approach this season. He wants our sacrifices to support those who suffer. He desires that our humiliation converts us into helpers.

The best part about this journey, we learn that our reward is gaining a rear guard. We get God Himself to watch our back. He will look out for us and hear our prayers.

The Shepherd of Hermas reminded the saints of this in the late first or early second century. As times got hard around them there would be happiness in their houses.

Will you focus on prayer, fasting, and giving this Lent? As Spring Training is to baseball, Lent is to life. It is the season of preparation that shapes into the people of God.

This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out His commands. In fact, this is love for God: to keep His commands. And His commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:2-4

“Therefore let us assist one another, that we may also lead the weak upward as touching that which is good, to the end that we all may be saved: and let us convert and admonish one another. And let us not think to give heed and believe now only, while we have departed home, let us remember the commandments of the Lord, and not suffer ourselves to be dragged off the other way by our worldly lusts; but coming hither more frequently, let us strive to go forward in the commandments of the Lord, that we all having the same mind may be gathered together unto life.”

Clement (A.D. 35-99) was bishop of Rome from 88-99 when he was martyred in 2 Clement 17:2-3 (translated by J.B. Lightfoot).

In today’s Scripture, John reminds us to carry out the commands of Christ. And he clarifies that they are not burdensome but rather they position us to be overcomers. Related to money, John might add that Jesus is not trying to rob us but rather help set us free from its power over us.

One generation later and near the end of the first century, Clement urges the Christians in Rome to assist each other and especially the weak to remember Christ’s commands. When we don’t do this, the world overcomes us. We are dragged off by our lusts and sinful tendencies.

In modern times, the same is true. The commands of Jesus related to money aim to teach us to trust God to supply, to enjoy and share His blessings, and to grasp life by practicing hospitality and generosity in community. Every generation is tempted to forget. We must not let it be us.

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45

“Thou shalt remember the day of judgment night and day, and thou shalt seek out day by day the persons of the saints, either laboring by word and going to exhort them and meditating how thou mayest save souls by thy word, or thou shalt work with thy hands for a ransom for thy sins.

Epistle of Barnabas 19:10 (c. A.D. 80-120) translated by J.B. Lightfoot.

The next early Christian writing in the Apostolic Fathers is the Epistle of Barnabas. This text urges us to “remember the day of judgment day and night.” This is an early church call to live in light of eternity rather than focus on earthly concerns.

Notice, from that point, we are urged to seek out the saints and labor by word or work with our hands for a “ransom” for our sins. So, what is this referring to and how might it relate to us today and to our generosity?

Jesus told us in today’s Scripture that He came to serve and to give His life as a ransom. Basically the early church aimed to live likewise. Whether by spoken word or manual work, they gave themselves as a ransom.

Here’s what happens when we don’t follow this counsel. We tend to amass possessions for ourselves rather than expending ourselves. We collecct experiences rather than aiming to seek out and serve people generously.

God help us serve others give our lives as a ransom just like Jesus. Amen.

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8

“My child, remember night and day him who speaks the word of God to you, and honor him as you do the Lord. For wherever the lordly rule is uttered, there is the Lord. And seek out day by day the faces of the saints, in order that you may rest upon their words. Do not long for division, but rather bring those who contend to peace…

Be not a stretcher forth of the hands to receive and a drawer of them back to give. If you have anything, through your hands you shall give ransom for your sins. Do not hesitate to give, nor complain when you give; for you shall know who is the good repayer of the hire…

Do not turn away from him who is in want; rather, share all things with your brother, and do not say that they are your own. For if you are partakers in that which is immortal, how much more in things which are mortal? …This is the way of life.”

Didache 4.1-5, a.k.a. “The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles” (late first or early second century) translated by J.B. Lightfoot. Today starts my shift from the Desert Fathers to the Apostolic Fathers.

It is interesting that the exhortation section of the Didache, the early church discipleship manual, starts with the words, “remember day and night.” This bears striking resemblance to the words of Moses to Joshua in today’s Scripture.

But what must we remember day and night? We must remember those who teach us the word of God, honor them, and seek out the faces of the saints. Or in plain terms, reflect on the teachers who influenced our teachers.

Then notice how this connects with giving. We discover that when we remember “the lordly rule” we become people who enjoy and share spiritual and material blessings. The aim of this is so that it becomes our way of life.

God, help each of us remember day and night our teachers and those who have gone before us and rest on their words so that we become peaceful and generous people, eager to share all you richly supply. Amen.

The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130

“The memorable saying of an ‘old man’. ‘Give me a word’ is a key phrase in the desert tradition. The ‘word’ is not an explanation or a consoling suggestion; it is a word given in order to create life and bring the one who receives it to God and salvation. It is a word that is truly life-giving if it is not discussed or argued over, but simply received and integrated into life. These apophthegms were always given to individuals to fit their own needs and circumstances and this should be remembered when using a collection such as this.

Benedicta Ward in The Sayings of the Desert Fathers: The Alphabetical Collection, (Kalamazoo: Cisterian, 1975) 249.

We are living in times when people want “explanations or consoling suggestions” as in the days of the Desert Fathers when the Roman Empire was crumbling. There was chaos everywhere.

Let us consider what our most generous gift may be in such times. Give an apophthegm or a word that creates life and brings someone to God. Notice this word fits the person’s needs or circumstances.

God help us see the needs of those around us. Rather than try to explain away a the brokenness of people or try to solve their problems, help us give them a word that will lead them to You. Amen.

I hope you have enjoyed the last few weeks with the Desert Fathers. I’ve finished the book and will move on to other books tomorrow and reflect on my word for the year, remember, as it relates to generosity.

For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’ Deuteronomy 15:11

“It was said of Abba Chomas that at the point of death he said to his sons, ‘Do not dwell with heretics, and do not have anything to do with rulers, then your hands will not be opened to gather together, but open to give.'”

Abba Chomas, a desert father, in The Sayings of the Desert Fathers: The Alphabetical Collection, trans. Benedicta Ward (Kalamazoo: Cisterian, 1975) 244.

Are your hands open?

If we have wrong thinking (“dwell with heretics”) or grasp for power (“have anything to do with rulers”) all we need is money to survive and make things happen, so we aim at gathering.

What should we do instead?

We must keep our hands open to give. This is a command of God. Open your hands wide. There are so many needs. If you have more than enough, consider whom God has positioned you to help.

Come and see what our God has done, what awesome miracles He performs for people! Psalm 66:5

“There was one of the saints named Philagrius who dwelt in the desert of Jerusalem and worked laboriously to earn his own bread. While he was standing in the market place to sell his manual work, someone dropped a purse with a thousand pieces of money. The old man, finding it, stayed where he was, saying, ‘Surely he who has lost it will come back.’ He did come back weeping. Taking him aside privately, the old man gave it to him. But the other gripped him, wanting to give him a share. The old man would not agree to this at all and the other began to cry out, ‘Come and see what the name of God has done.’ The old man fled secretly and left the city in order not to be honoured.”

Philagrius in The Sayings of the Desert Fathers: The Alphabetical Collection, trans. Benedicta Ward (Kalamazoo: Cisterian, 1975) 242.

Sometimes generosity comes into view as helping answer the prayers of a desperate person. And with the pandemic and all the stress in the world, there are a lot of weeping people. Most of the time, I am totally unaware of such people, plugging along at my own work.

Notice Philagrius is working laboriously. But he notices things, like this bag that is out of place. He collects it waiting for the opportunity to return it to the one who lost it. From there he fled secretly to avoid attention. God help us work laboriously, assist privately, and flee secretly.

So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and He answered our prayer. Ezra 8:23

“While you are young and healthy, fast, for old age with its weakness will come. As long as you can, lay up treasure, so that when you cannot, you will be at peace.”

Amma Syncletica, a desert mother, in The Sayings of the Desert Fathers: The Alphabetical Collection, trans. Benedicta Ward (Kalamazoo: Cisterian, 1975) 233-234.

Fasting is good while we are young because we learn to set aside our desires in a season when we have fewer physical limitations. When coupled with generosity, it brings peace.

Any desires other than Christ will not satisfy. Fasting and giving together guide us to the peace we search for our entire lives. And someday we will no longer be able to lay up treasure. We must do it whilst we can.

“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and He relents from sending calamity. Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave behind a blessing—grain offerings and drink offerings for the Lord your God.” Joel 2:12-14

“Abba Paul said, ‘I am in the slough, sinking in up to my neck and I weep in the presence of God, saying, “Have mercy on me.”‘ It was said of Abba Paul that he spent the whole of Lent eating only one measure of lentils, drinking one small jug of water, and working at one single basket, weaving it and unweaving it, living alone until the feast. Abba Paul said: ‘Keep close to Jesus.'”

Abba Paul, a desert father, in The Sayings of the Desert Fathers: The Alphabetical Collection, trans. Benedicta Ward (Kalamazoo: Cisterian, 1975) 205.

We can trace the practice of Lent back to the desert fathers. Abba Paul depicts Lent rightly for what it is: a time to return to God with fasting, weeping, and mourning.

Notice the practices of solitude and simplicity in this season which position us for fasting, prayer, and giving to those in need. But why work at a single basket in this season?

We as humans are guilty of multi-tasking to a point where we lose our focus on the things that matter. I am guilty of this. A discipline of single-tasking helps us keep our attention fixed on what matters.

Think about your journey for Lent in 2021. It does not start for a few weeks so you have time. How might solitude, simplicity, and single-tasking come together to help you “keep close to Jesus” and position you for greater generosity?

A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great. Proverbs 18:16

“A secular man of devout life came to see Abba Poemen. Now it happened that there were other brethren with the old man, asking to hear a word from him. The old man said to the faithful secular, ‘Say a word to the brothers.’ When he insisted, the secular said, ‘Please excuse me, abba; I myself have come to learn.’ But he was urged on by the old man and so he said, ‘I am a secular, I sell vegetables and do business; I take bundles to pieces, and make smaller ones; I buy cheap and sell dear. What is more I do not know how to speak of the Scriptures; so I will tell you a parable.

A man said to his friends, “I want to go to see the emperor; come with me.” One friend said to him, “I will go with you half the way.” Then he said to another friend, “Come and go with me to the emperor,” and he said to him, “I will take you as far as the emperor’s palace.” He said to a third friend, “Come with me to the emperor.” He said, “I will come and take you to the palace and I will stay and speak and help you to have access to the emperor.” ‘ They asked what was the point of the parable. He answered them, ‘The first friend is asceticism, which leads the way; the second is chastity which takes us to heaven; and the third is almsgiving which with confidence presents us to God our King.’ The brethren withdrew edified.”

Abba Poemen (340-450) Egyptian Coptic Monk in The Sayings of the Desert Fathers: The Alphabetical Collection, trans. Benedicta Ward (Kalamazoo: Cisterian, 1975) 182-183. Enjoy the new header photo shot on our twice daily walk in Christensen Park with our dog, Joy.

In this scene, the “Faithful Secular” visits Abba Poemen and asks for a word. Surprisingly, the tables are turned. Abba Poemen insists that the humble vegetable seller shares a word with them. His parable contains a strong message and gives a glimpse into the mindset of the Christian community of the desert at this time.

In the parable, the first friend, asceticism, refers to detachment from things. It’s vital for anyone who wants to live the Christian life and be generous. But it only takes us halfway. We must attach to Christ. This is the chastity piece. And then, Christ calls us to share what we have with the poor, which is the almsgiving piece.

Detach from things. Attach to Christ. Share generously with those in need. Do this, and Christ Himself testifies that it is the same as doing it for Him. “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:40

Lent begins on 17 February 2021. Easter is 4 April 2021. Start considering this question now. What will I fast or detach from, so that my hands, head, and heart are free to attach to Christ? With the intentionality of the faithful secular, let us create margin for generosity to those in need in obedience to the Risen King Jesus!