Fasting

 Lent is a time of fasting for many church believers.  Well, atheists and agnostics in Recovery Programs fast too.  From what? From being too busy to talk to the newcomer in the room.  When someone new comes into the meeting room, they are yoked to alcohol or some other substance.  They lack sustaining friendship and dignity.  They are marginalized and lack hope.  The newcomer is invited to share their name and anything else they would like to say.  But after the meeting, the regular members do not rust out to the next busy thing on their calendar.  A regular member in recovery walks up to the newcomer, introduces themself, offers a phone number and may even invite the newcomer for a cup of coffee somewhere.  This is fasting from self-preoccupation.  If the newcomer never is seen again, the member is helped to stay sober by reaching out.  Church going believers might keep all this in mind when the stranger shows up during Lent in their church service.