To fast or not to fast?
First of all fasting during Lent is penitential in nature. Those who can fast do so to empty themselves so that they can be filled with the Lord our God’s graces. To empty themselves of worldly desires. To develop higher restraint and tolerance. It is a deep desire to draw closer to God by this act.
But the act itself must be accompanied by the other two pillars! Prayer which includes embracing the word of God through scripture reading and almsgiving. Charity and charity of heart. Spiritual and corporal acts of mercy.
Those who cannot fast from food, can join us in the other various forms of fasting…
*Fast from hurtful words* and spread kind words.
*Fast from discontent* and fill yourself with gratitude.
*Fast from anger* and fill yourself with meekness and patience.
*Fast from pessimism* and fill yourself with hope and optimism.
*Fast from worries* and fill yourself with trust in God.
*Fast from complaining* and fill yourself with the simple things in life.
*Fast from pressures* and fill yourself with prayer.
*Fast from sadness* and bitterness and fill your heart with joy.
*Fast from selfishness* and fill yourself with compassion for others.
*Fast from unforgiveness* and fill yourself with attitudes of reconciliation.
*Fast from words* and fill yourself with silence and listen to others.
Draw us deeper Lord into Your bosom. Amen
Saints Perpetua and Felicity pray for us…
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First reading
Isaiah 58:1-9 ·
The sort of fast that pleases me
Thus says the Lord:
Shout for all you are worth, raise your voice like a trumpet.
Proclaim their faults to my people, their sins to the House of Jacob.
They seek me day after day, they long to know my ways, like a nation that wants to act with integrity and not ignore the law of its God.
They ask me for laws that are just, they long for God to draw near:
‘Why should we fast if you never see it, why do penance if you never notice?’
Look, you do business on your fast-days, you oppress all your workmen; look, you quarrel and squabble when you fast and strike the poor man with your fist.
Fasting like yours today will never make your voice heard on high.
Is that the sort of fast that pleases me, a truly penitential day for men?
Hanging your head like a reed, lying down on sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call fasting, a day acceptable to the Lord?
Is not this the sort of fast that pleases me– it is the Lord who speaks –to break unjust fetters and undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke, to share your bread with the hungry, and shelter the homeless poor, to clothe the man you see to be naked and not turn from your own kin?
Then will your light shine like the dawn and your wound be quickly healed over.
Your integrity will go before you and the glory of the Lord behind you.
Cry, and the Lord will answer, call and he will say, “I am here.”
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Gospel
Matthew 9:14-15
When the bridegroom is taken from them, then they will fast
John’s disciples came to Jesus and said, ‘Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?’ Jesus replied, ‘Surely the bridegroom’s attendants would never think of mourning as long as the bridegroom is still with them? But the time will come for the bridegroom to be taken away from them, and then they will fast.’
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