Sacrifice, Community, Contemplation and Reflection Week by Kelley Barton

It is rare that several unique days of contemplation are in the same calendar week. This week all 3 of these were observed by millions around the globe.

Ash Wednesday

Ramadan

Day of Remembrance

Christians world wide pledge to fast and pray, and give something up, in the time between Ash Wednesday and Easter.

Muslims world wide devote themselves to fasting and prayer, celebrating the end of every day of fasting with a wonderful meal after sunset, shared with family and community.

Day of Remembrance is to help us not forget how Japanese Americans were sent to internment camps in World War II. They built a community within the walls of injustice and sacrificed years of their lives due to unfounded fears of our government.

It strikes me that two out of the three involve voluntary sacrifice. One is involuntary. Two out of three encourage contemplation and reflection. One relied on those skills to survive the deep pain of forced separation.

All 3 hinge greatly on community. It is a bit easier to fast, pray and sacrifice within community than alone. It is also easier to survive injustice through community.

So where am I going with this? As I write, I’m not quite sure. I just know this has been a unique week and I want to acknowledge it.

I also want to encourage you to look and see which, if any, of these 3 has touched your heart. Has moved you to participate. Which of these 3 might someone in your community be engaged in. Can we learn from those observing one that is not the one we are? I’m sure we can.

What exactly are you praying for, fasting for, sacrificing and reflecting on within your community?