Sun. Feb. 17, 2013 (J. Evan Kreider)

On the first Sunday of the Lenten season, Evan Kreider focused on the three pillars which the Jewish people believed important: giving, praying and fasting. The Talmud describes three levels of giving: the highest is to give people work, the next, to give anonymously to the poor, and the last level is giving to the poor and letting others know what you've done. When giving alms don't blow your own horn – do it in secrecy. Giving to charity and then telling others - that's your reward. Pray in secret. The key is not to draw attention to oneself; offer prayers on behalf of all. When fasting, don't look dismal and don't make a display of it. Jesus assumes all believers will pray, give, and fast. In Jesus day money given to the temple would be redistributed to the poor. Today money going to churches might well go to hiring staff and/or buildings, not the poor. Are the three pillars – giving, praying and fasting valid today? Most of us are unfamiliar with personal fasting; it might well be an area needing further exploration. Whatever we do in these areas, do it in a way that will benefit others and God. (HN)

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