After reading on Thursday about the entire Jewish community fasting for Esther, we talked about what that might have been like.

11yr, “The queen could execute anyone who wouldn’t fast, but she wouldn’t do that.”

What if you were just a regular worker, minding your own business, and suddenly someone tells you to fast for someone else? What would your attitude be like? Would that be hard to do?

8yr, “If everyone is fasting, the farmer could save some of his grain.”

What would it have been like if Esther was one of your best friends?

What if it is really easy for someone to fast? What if it is really easy to give up something for Lent?

Matthew 6:16-18

When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

We made faces like the hypocrite. We acted like them, strutting around being proud of our “sacrifice.”

We pretended we were followers of Jesus, not even mentioning that we were fasting

If you give up something for lent, what should your attitude be like?

We also talked about the people in Japan, who did not give up things, but lost things. We are praying for them.

I don’t know exactly what is going to be happening around here in the next couple of weeks. I think we might be giving up some things. You don’t have to. Fasting is not mandatory. Either way, join us in the Lenten journey.