Ramadan - a time for spiritual cleansing

IT'S nearing the end of Ramadan and Muslims around the globe will have been fasting from sunrise to sunset - that's around 14 hours every day, for a month. In today's material world where concerns are with how to obtain the latest must-have item, the period of Ramadan aims to make Muslims more humble and considerate to the many people who are starving in the world. We speak to four Coventry Muslims to find out how they are faring. TO non-Muslims fasting is most often seen as a quick-fix weight shifter or part of a detox health kick. But for the world's estimated one billion follows of Islam - including the two million in Britain - fasting is an integral part of their belief.

"Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam and it is obligatory for all Muslims to fast," explained research and development scientist Ahmed Chawdhri.

"However, fasting is not compulsory for those who are not in a healthy state."

The 27-year-old from Potters Green says there are two parts that go with fasting.

"The first part is the physical aspect which is to refrain from food, drink, and sexual activity.

"The second is the spiritual aspect that is refraining from gossiping, lying, slandering and all bad character."

Muslims rise early before sunrise to eat before the fasting begins.

This time is known as sehri. It's important to have a hearty breakfast to ensure the body has enough energy for the day ahead.

Even so, going without sustenance for 14 hours is tough.

"I try to eat healthy food in the morning such as oats which is a slow-release carbohydrate. This provides me with the fuel for the day.

"I love bread so I tend to have some toast as well," said Ahmed.

Fasting is difficult enough, but many people have to work as well while feeling they are running on empty.

The Kenyan-born scientist has been working for 3M Health Care in Loughborough for two years.

"Occasionally it is difficult to concentrate when I'm fasting. I feel tired and can get headaches at work.

"But overall I enjoy the self-discipline, confidence and the reflection of spirituality that I go through in this month."

Spiritual food: GOD the provider

One of the most enjoyable activities of a church is the “covered dish dinner,” and most congregations I know have a communal meal at least occasionally.

Of course, we have a good example to follow. Jesus taught at many a meal: the feeding of the 5,000, the meal with the Pharisee in today’s lesson, the meal at Mary and Martha’s house and the last supper are just a few. In the 14th Chapter of Luke, Jesus makes some very pointed comments about our attitude around the table.

First, Jesus warns against pride and the desire for admiration. He is saying, “If you demand respect, you may be humbled to find others don’t think so much of you.” So one ought to practice humility as we think about ourselves.

But a far more important lesson has to do with how we think of others. We are accustomed to sharing our fellowship meals with those who are our equals; with other believers and our relatives and friends. We enjoy the companionship of those like us, both in our fellowship meals and in our Lord’s Supper observance.

But Jesus comments, “When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame. And you will be blest, for they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Then, Jesus tells the story of the great banquet God is preparing. When the meal is ready, the worthy guests, those who were first invited, all had excuses. One had bought land, another had bought a yoke of oxen, another had just married. They all begged off and the master was angry enough to invite others in their place saying, “None of those who were invited will taste my dinner!”

You have been invited to a feast with the Lord. It is a feast of more than salads and cakes and pies and good breads. This is a spiritual feast that strengthens us in body, mind and soul.

The Psalmist in Chapter 36 says, “How precious is your steadfast love, O God! All people may take refuge under the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you will give them to drink from the river of your delights.” And Jesus said, “People will come from east and west; from north and south, and will eat in the Kingdom of God.”

God invites you to be a part of the Kingdom of redeemed and adopted children of God. What a privilege we have! Surely we will not refuse to come to the banquet because we are busy with a piece of land, or a girlfriend or boyfriend, or preoccupied with a new house or a new car.

Surely we would not refuse to eat at the banquet table with those who are different from us: the immigrant, the sinner, the enemy who has humbled us, the one who is crippled by drug abuse or alcoholism, the one who is blind to what we “know” is proper etiquette at the table of the Lord.

Or, could we be like the Pharisees who strained at a gnat and swallowed a camel, concerned only with the letter of the law and ignoring the spirit of it? Food is necessary to sustain our physical bodies. Spiritual food is necessary to strengthen the soul. The rich food at a covered dish dinner cannot be compared to the richness of God’s heavenly banquet to the soul.

The first Sunday in October is World Communion Sunday. We are given the opportunity to feast at the table of the Lord with Christians around the world. I encourage you to make time to join the family of faith to partake of the spiritual food God provides to all who are willing to come to the banquet.