Fasting
February 7, 2008
Gospel: Luke 9:22-25
The gospel of today speaks to us about fasting. As we are in the Lenten season, God’s word becomes more relevant to us, for we should be aware of the true meaning of fasting.
What kind of fasting is pleasing to God?
Fasting can be done for a variety of reasons: to gain freedom from some bad habit, addiction, or vice; to share in the suffering of those who go without; to grow in our hunger for God and for the things of heaven. Or simply to lose some weight.
The disciples of St John the Baptist, deeply loyal to him that they were, seem to have had difficulty accepting Jesus, who was different in so many ways. They were also scandalized that Our Lord did not make his disciples fast. Jesus’ reply was to remind them that John had described Jesus as the bridegroom and himself as the friend of the bridegroom.
The time Jesus shared with the disciples was a time of celebration, when fasting was inappropriate, but they would fast when he was taken away from them − a reference to his passion and ascension to heaven. They would suffer then and certainly did. In our lives, too, there are times for celebration and other times for penance. Lent is one of them.
To know the thoughts of God concerning fasting, God speaks through Prophet Isaiah: “This, rather, is the fasting I wish: releasing those bound unjustly; untying the thongs of the yoke; setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; sharing your bread with the hungry; sheltering the oppressed and homeless; clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own. Then you shall cry for help, and the Lord will answer: Here I am.”
Isaiah gives the world a new tradition: to help others who have less than we do. Then God will hear our cry for help and say: Here I am.
Once again, Lent is not all about me; it is about sharing what I have with others, not only material things but my spiritual gifts as well, my talents, and my virtues. May God Bless us all! Amen.
Photo on frontpage: Ysletamission.org
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