By David Peter csc –
Readings: : Is 58:1-9; Mt: 9:14-15
In this Lenten season, it is a time to seek the forgiveness of God through various forms. In Catholic Church, we have three meaningful traditional practices of Lent- fasting, praying, and almsgiving. The act of fasting is focused in the first reading.
Here we find Prophet Isaiah speaking about two kinds of fasting: the fasting that pleases God, and the one that does not. In the gospel reading, we see Jesus being questioned about fasting. In reply Jesus says, ‘the wedding guests cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them’, can they?
It means that the presence of God is always there forever in our lives. The more we come closer to Jesus, the more joyful we become. In coming closer to Jesus, we grow in trust and observe the fasting with the heart of joy and acceptance, not by compulsions or force. In fasting, we cry to God, and the Lord answers “here I am”.
Today let us ask ourselves what kind of fasting we are practicing. Are we fasting the way that pleases God? Let us pray that we may not only fast from food at a physical level alone but also from gossiping, revenge, hatred, bad attitudes and various addictions.
As we follow the Lenten observances, let us seek the grace of God that we may grow in humility, feed the hungry, help the homeless, support the troubled and bear the light of love and hope to all.