Today’s readings show that fasting is a way of getting close to God and a way to show how sorry we are for our sins. It is a way of detaching ourselves from material things, not just food, and totally relying on God. When we fast, we pray, especially when it becomes difficult to do the fast, and we ask God for strength to go on with the day, and offer the difficulty to Him.
The gospel says that when we fast, we should not let people see it intentionally. Same is true for almsgiving and prayer. We are doing these things not to be seen and praised by people, but for God. It does not matter what people say or think, what matters is God sees, what matters is what he says about us. God will reward us in his perfect time. He knows what is inside our hearts, he knows our intentions for doing things, and he will reward us accordingly.
Today is ash Wednesday – a day of fasting and abstinence. There are many ways of fasting – water only, one full meal a day, etc. There are many ways of abstaining – abstaining from meat, social networks, softdrinks, sweets. God sees and knows that is difficult for us, and he will know how much we are willing to give up for him. He knows what we are capable of. Let us search deeply and pray for guidance as we fast and abstain.
Are you fasting today? Are you abstaining? What are you willing to give up for God? What is your intention as you fast and abstain?
May we seek God’s guidance as we fast and abstain, and as we prepare spiritually this season of Lent. Let us remember that this is not a season of mourning. This season ends very joyfully and triumphantly, with Jesus winning over sin and death – His love for us enduring and winning over everything. How much God loves us!
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