When we talk about fasting during Lent, how often do we think of social justice as a form of fasting? Take a look at what St. John Chrysostom has to say:
“Not to enable the poor to share in our goods is to steal from them and deprive them of life. The goods we possess are not ours, but theirs.” –St. John Chrysostom, Hom. in Lazaro 2, 5; PG 48, 992 (Italics mine)
Talk about a Lenten challenge, a Lenten fast. It would seem that the dollar bills we toss into the collection basket at church, the pocket change we give to the panhandler on the streets would not cut it with St. John. He vigorously challenges us to more.
When was the last time we enabled a poor person to share in our goods? To do this would require a certain fasting from our need for control and superiority. A certain fasting from our blindness to the Church’s social teaching on the universal destination of all goods. A certain fasting from our identity with our material possessions.
What a Lenten fast that would be. How transformative!
The thing is, St. John seems to be saying it is not optional. It is a requirement for discipleship.
Something to pray about, then act on in some way.
