And when you fast,do not look gloomy like the hypocrites,
for they disfigure their faces
that their fasting may be seen by others.
Matthew 6:16a
This passage reminds of Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes once saying that he might have become a pastor if more pastors looked more redeemed—ouch! Not that pastors necessarily have the corner on the dourness market—return ouch!
Even during Lent our faces need not be disfigured—even as we fast (from whatever), as the above passage indicates! In fact, consider that Jesus may have had a smile on his face while fasting (from glory and honor) on our behalf: …for the joy that was set before him endured the cross (Hebrews 12:3). In this regard, Lent need not be so gloomy and doomy, eh? So I’m cranking and crunking up for Carnival—the Lenten kind!
