40 Days of Fasting, 50 Days of Parties.
We’ve just come through Lent, the 40-day season of fasting many Christians practice. It’s a contemplative season, considering one’s own shortcomings, failings, and selfishness and the need for a messiah. Lent culminates, of course, with “Good” Friday, so we consider the great love that Jesus lived and died for, as well as Resurrection Sunday (or Easter).
We are now a week after Easter and Lent. For those who did fast in some fashion during Lent, is there any lingering insight or change? Has life “gone back to normal”?
I was driving home from work one day this week and thinking. I understand Lent and its meditative, somber weeks. But how am I feeling now, after Lent, after Easter? And are there any spiritual practices in which I can grow in this season?
Yes. I need to grow in the discipline of parties.
There’s a forgotten season of the Christian church calendar, the 50 days after Easter, traditionally referred to as Eastertide. I know nothing of this season, so I’m starting to read up. But my starting point is this—after a time of fasting, there should be a season of feasting. After considering that Jesus was dead and our great need of him, and that then he was alive again, we ought to throw a bunch of parties.
I’m not sure what Eastertide has meant throughout the history of the Church. I don’t know what practices traditional churches may have during these weeks. But here is my proposal—for the next fifty days, until May 27, we party.
Let’s celebrate the freedom, joy, and love that Jesus offers. Let’s remember and rejoice that God is still working on us and inviting us to join in good work in the world. And let’s create spaces and events to be together, to just have fun and enjoy life a bit.
Sure beats the heck out of giving up chocolate or meat or coffee and then just going back to “normal life” after Lent.
Already, we’ve gone to two parties this week. And we’re planning a big one on day 50—you’re all invited to our place on May 27.
What are you going to do during these 50 days of feasting?
Yes! Here’s another good example for why we still need that Old Testament- we make all the same mistakes our spiritual brothers and forebears in Israel did. They did not have God-commanded days of fasting and self-flagellation- they had God-commanded feast days and rest days and years of Jubilee. But theirs hearts were always turned to how to feel miserable for our God rather than joyful. We love shaking our heads at those old, foolish Israelites, don’t we?
Be joyful in the Lord, people- go out there and have a Jubilee year!
S. George Lee
15 Apr 12 at 09:36
I love this! Thanks!
Sarah H.
15 Apr 12 at 20:09
May 27 – Eastertide, Day 50 – also known as — PENTECOST!
We do it up big for Pentecost at church, too. Episcopalians really know how to party. 
steph seefeldt
17 Apr 12 at 14:21