Correct Fasting

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/022015.cfm) reminds me what kind of fasting God wants.

Today is the first Friday of lent, the first Friday that Catholics traditionally abstain from meat. However, in the first reading, we see what is important to God. It is not just the traditional act that he wants us to fast or abstain from, but also the state of our heart as we do these things. God does not want us to fast, but do evil things as well – fight, abuse others, etc. God would rather that we fast from evil and do good by helping others.

God is more concerned at the state of our hearts as we fast and abstain, and not at the mere action of it.

Two holy men echo this sentiments of Jesus. Pope Francis suggests that we give up indifference for lent – indifference. We should be extra sensitive to the needs of others, and step out of our comfort zones to help others. Our very own Cardinal Tagle on the other hand encourages those who will fast to donate to the church the money they will be saving, so the church can use them to buy food for others. This is real fasting – helping others. We should not fast to lose weight, or use the money we would save to buy something for ourselves at the end of lent.

May our fasting and abstinence this lent have a deeper meaning and connection to Christ.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another Friday. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, as we start fasting, help us become more sensitive to you. May we always see you in others, and do to others what we want to do to you. Help us to have a meaningful lent, and as we fast, abstain and give up something, may we grow closer to you and be more and more like you. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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February 20, 2015

Friday after Ash Wednesday

Lectionary: 221

Reading 1 Is 58:1-9a

Thus says the Lord GOD:

Cry out full-throated and unsparingly,

lift up your voice like a trumpet blast;

Tell my people their wickedness,

and the house of Jacob their sins.

They seek me day after day,

and desire to know my ways,

Like a nation that has done what is just

and not abandoned the law of their God;

They ask me to declare what is due them,

pleased to gain access to God.

“Why do we fast, and you do not see it?

afflict ourselves, and you take no note of it?”

Lo, on your fast day you carry out your own pursuits,

and drive all your laborers.

Yes, your fast ends in quarreling and fighting,

striking with wicked claw.

Would that today you might fast

so as to make your voice heard on high!

Is this the manner of fasting I wish,

of keeping a day of penance:

That a man bow his head like a reed

and lie in sackcloth and ashes?

Do you call this a fast,

a day acceptable to the LORD?

This, rather, is the fasting that 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 the homeless;

Clothing the naked when you see them,

and not turning your back on your own.

Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,

and your wound shall quickly be healed;

Your vindication shall go before you,

and 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!

Responsorial Psalm PS 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 18-19

R. (19b) A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;

in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.

Thoroughly wash me from my guilt

and of my sin cleanse me.

R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

For I acknowledge my offense,

and my sin is before me always:

“Against you only have I sinned,

and done what is evil in your sight.”

R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

For you are not pleased with sacrifices;

should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it.

My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;

a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

Verse Before the Gospel See Amos 5:14

Seek good and not evil so that you may live,

and the Lord will be with you.

Gospel Mt 9:14-15

The disciples of John approached Jesus and said,

“Why do we and the Pharisees fast much,

but your disciples do not fast?”

Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn

as long as the bridegroom is with them?

The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them,

and then they will fast.”