We have begun our Lenten journey. Once again, we hear the words of the prophet Joel, calling us to return to our God with fasting and weeping and mourning. But Joel has some special instructions for us before we begin our time of fasting, our time of giving up, or even our time of “adding on.”
Joel says “Rend your hearts, and not your garments.” It is not enough to put on a show. It is not enough for everyone to see our piety. For it is not what the world sees of us, but what we hold in our hearts.
Jesus also calls us to go deeper. He says “you have heard it said you shall not commit adultery…” but Jesus says we must avoid looking lustfully on anyone or we’ve already committed adultery in our hearts. Jesus says “you have heard... 'You shall not murder'...” But Jesus says, “whoever is angry with his brother...shall be in danger of judgment.” It’s not just our actions that matter, but what is in our heart.
Joel calls us not to practice the ritual but to answer the call. The prophet Isaiah also questions our ritualistic fasting: “Is this what you call a fast, an acceptable day to the Lord? Isn’t this the fast that I have been choosing: to loose the bonds of injustice, and to untie the cords of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry and to bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him with clothing…?”
Too often, those who call themselves Christian forget to be “Christ-like.” We keep people out rather than inviting them in. We divide rather than unify. We use scriptures to attack others, rather than to uplift. We try to fit into an unjust system, valuing money and power, rather than seeking to include the poor and the marginalized.
As you prepare for Easter this Lenten season, ask yourselves: What is in your heart? Examine yourself honestly. How are you abiding in the Spirit of God and how is God abiding in you? | 
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