tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28189019.post4708971357193506708..comments2023-11-03T11:37:04.473+00:00Comments on nothing new under the sun: Lent: What is the reward of fasting?byron smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17938334606675769903noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28189019.post-8407389863910989992012-02-22T19:33:48.760+00:002012-02-22T19:33:48.760+00:00"Notice that asceticism is not for the sake ..."Notice that asceticism is not for the sake of killing off parts of our selves, but for the sake of marshaling our full energy around our deep desires." Elizabeth Liebert.byron smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17938334606675769903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28189019.post-90131108594826442952011-03-14T13:57:40.302+00:002011-03-14T13:57:40.302+00:00Ah, I see. I have always assumed that their reward...Ah, I see. I have always assumed that their reward is precisely what they were seeking in the first place: <i>in order to be seen by them</i>. The reward of public piety is being a public reputation for piety. Nothing more. That is the full extent of the benefit received.byron smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17938334606675769903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28189019.post-11012459707133998842011-03-14T11:27:59.333+00:002011-03-14T11:27:59.333+00:00Sorry, missed this.
I always thought it was odd t...Sorry, missed this.<br /><br />I always thought it was odd that Jesus insisted that the hypocrites had received a reward. 'Those suckers will get nothing' would have been more the kind of response I'd have given!<br /><br />So I wondered why he chose to use what is inherently a positive expression ie 'they have received something'. My conclusion was that he wanted to point outAnthony Douglashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16277745466192451883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28189019.post-43973269015511993712011-03-14T10:21:49.003+00:002011-03-14T10:21:49.003+00:00Yes, and I think this is where the distinction in ...Yes, and I think this is where the distinction in motives between 5.16 and 6.1 becomes crucial.byron smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17938334606675769903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28189019.post-65926087251975961482011-03-12T20:30:35.645+00:002011-03-12T20:30:35.645+00:00The flip side of "let your light shine" ...The flip side of "let your light shine" is that hiding our fasting can become an act of hypocritic piety in itself - I'm so holy that I will go to any lengths not to tell you how holy I am.Roland and Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13159079617021011450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28189019.post-78751239166328956932011-03-11T01:41:14.033+00:002011-03-11T01:41:14.033+00:00Like all spiritual disciplines, it can be legalist...Like all spiritual disciplines, it can be legalistic, but it doesn't have to be.byron smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17938334606675769903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28189019.post-74128224775065452872011-03-10T22:52:43.895+00:002011-03-10T22:52:43.895+00:00In the past I have dismissed it as being superstit...In the past I have dismissed it as being superstitious legalistic nonsense. <br />However any practice that helps the believer to refocus on the tension of living / worshipping has to be a good thing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28189019.post-79184092324266431232011-03-10T09:30:19.492+00:002011-03-10T09:30:19.492+00:00Anthony: Can you explain a little more what you me...Anthony: Can you explain a little more what you mean?<br /><br />Anon: There is no need to desire ill for hypocrits as they already have their "reward" of human praise, and with it, the ongoing corruption of desire. Not so many verses away, Jesus instructs us to pray for our enemies and to bless those who curse us, which is the best "revenge" on their twisted desires, since itbyron smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17938334606675769903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28189019.post-33267612537396838212011-03-10T02:20:39.140+00:002011-03-10T02:20:39.140+00:00hypocrite and an epmbty stomach. sounds like karma...hypocrite and an epmbty stomach. sounds like karma and lol i wish :D<br /><br />I know of a particular self righteoues bigot I would so enjoy to send this to however we don't talk since I asked them why anglicans weren't as good as catholics - hence their relief with NZ. (one sick puppy).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28189019.post-91715350899931768982011-03-10T01:57:35.739+00:002011-03-10T01:57:35.739+00:00Don't forget the irony: the hypocrite ends up ...Don't forget the irony: the hypocrite ends up with an empty stomach, an empty purse, and an empty silence as their reward...perhaps 'in full' should come with a (sic)!Anthony Douglashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16277745466192451883noreply@blogger.com