Getting Ready for Plastic Fast 2020
Dear Friends
It's hard to believe, but in just over two weeks, Lent will begin. The season of Lent marks the forty days when Jesus went out into the desert alone. He did this before beginning his ministry, as a way to get to know himself and God. He fasted and he prayed; and Christians all over the world fast and pray during this season.
Why do we fast? It seems like a strange concept in a world where we are trying to consume as much as we want and buying things or eating things is believed to make us happy. Christians fast to increase our awareness about what is really important. It is a way of taking ourselves off of center stage and NOT doing something for ourselves.
In past years, I have fasted from coffee or sweets, but this year, I want to ask you to join me on a plastic fast.This plastic fast challenges each and every one of us to open our eyes to the amount of plastic we are purchasing and disposing. It is a way to become aware of our sinfulness, to say no to our selfish or base inclinations and to care for the earth.
In order to not overwhelm you, I want you to consider fasting at either the beginner level, intermediate or advanced levels.These are as follows…
- Beginners would simply refrain from using plastic bags. Put canvas bags in the trunk of your car and use them for all purchases, especially at the grocery store.
- Intermediates would fast from plastic bags but would also refrain from using plastic bottles of any kind. Bring a water bottle and/or coffee mug to refill and don’t buy plastic bottles at all.
- Advanced plastic fasters have opportunities to try not buying plastic at all. This takes enormous intelligence and ingenuity, but it can be done!
Jesus went without so much and he found out who he was. His fasting brought him closer to God and to his vocation as God’s son. Let us join in and fast in order to find out who we are in relationship to this planet and how much we are loved by God.
In Christ’s love,
Kate+