Ash 2014

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/030514.cfm) reminds us of the importance of detachment from the things of the world.

Ash Wednesday is a day where Catholics do fasting and abstinence. The readings show us how God values fasting. It is one of the spiritual disciplines we do in order to get closer to God and show him how much we love him, as well as how much we are sorry for our sins.

When we fast, we detach ourselves from the comforts of this world and take time to be one with God in his suffering for our sins. We reject the pleasures of this world, even the food we need, and depend fully on God to get us through the day. We offer the pain and suffering, from food, and allow God to give us strength. We try to show God that our love for him and the desire to be one with him and to be more like him is greater than our desire to be comfortable.

We also fast when we are praying for something – during discernment or when we are asking for a favour from God. This is not our way of bargaining with God, but rather a way in which we want to be closer to God. As we go through the fasting, we call unto God to give us strength. We offer the pain to him and ask that we be more like him. As we become one with him, his desires will be our desires, and we will be more enlightened to choose what God wants us to take when we are discerning, and openly accept God’s answer to our prayers when we ask him for something.

Good news – we will be rewarded for fasting.

Bad news – we will be rewarded only once.

The gospel reminds us that we should not fast for others to see. It will either be God, or others, who will reward us for fasting. This is true for prayer and almsgiving. We should fast, pray, give alms and abstain for the right intentions.

As we usher in the season of Lent, may we be disciplined to fast, abstain, pray more and give alms to others. Today, we are required to fast and abstain. Fasting and abstinence is not just from food and meat, but in these world nowadays there are a lot of ways and things we can fast and abstain from – internet, facebook, sweets, too much food, etc. what is important is we are ready and willing to detach ourselves from this world and be one with God in suffering for others for love of God.

Am I ready to fast and abstain today? This holy week, what am I ready to give up for Christ?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for your love that is always ready to welcome me back into your arms. Lord, as we usher in the season of lent, help me be ready and willing to fast and abstain. Lead me Lord and tell me what you want me to give up this lent. Help me also to become extra sensitive to the needs of others, and spend more time in prayer. This season, may I be one with you in suffering and detachment from this world, and may I grow even more closer to you, and more in love with you, just like Jesus and Mary. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-