May the Lord give you peace and blessings.
It is 04th March 2022.
We reflect on Isaiah 58:1-9; and Matthew 9:14-15.
As many are arguing for and against fasting or foregoing fast during this Lent at the edge of pandemic time, the readings of the day are pinpointedly focused in favour.
Fasting is necessary means for spiritual growth. Fasting is not a physical exercise alone but more of a spiritual endeavour with creative effort in reaching out to those who are unjustly treated by some of us.
God is pleased with a type of fasting is the content of the first reading. The exhortation of the prophet Isaiah on true repentance reprimands us all on our routine, formal, liturgical appeasement while we do many things to make our neighbour unhappy. Any type of fasting that leads to irritating, ignite emotionally, illtreat and insulting another person, then understand that is not the objective of fasting. Fasting intensifies integrity, inspires justice, and installs mercy coated with charity.
Our fasting is noticed by someone however close they might be, then the purpose of the fasting is lost. In attempting to share our portion of bread, clothing someone with the best garment of ours, and providing a priceless place for the immigrant and stranger is what is noticed by God except these are all done with a personal and selfish agenda to get something for ourselves.
Authentic and selfless fasting sharpens our listening capacity to the voice of the Lord. Something is seriously wrong if do not hear God’s whisper and assurance after our strenuous fasting. We do not fast just to please God but to make someone feel loved, wanted, remembered, and nurtured.
Jesus too insists on fasting relating with grief and sorrow not having the Bridegroom near us. We all feel disconnected from Jesus when we are surrounded and succumb to sin. Fasting is surely needed when we have lost the zest for living, and life becomes purposeless. Fasting becomes a necessity next to oxygen to our body when we have become numb and far from the poor and the needy. We become totally free and decisive when we fast. Fasting is a spontaneous loving act expressed in treating the other as we wish to be. God listens to our prayer when we fast. The spiritual benefit of fasting is that when others experience the consequence and importance of our fasting. “Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am.” (Is.58:8.9). May the Lord bless your efforts in fasting that please the Lord.