Good Fast

The WORD today reminds me what kind of fasting God wants from me. 

Fasting and abstinence are usual during lent. We fast and abstain on ash wednesday, and we abstain every friday of lent. When we hear the word fasting, we usually think of not eating food. Sometimes, aside from food and drinks, we fast from other things we like or are comfortable with - like social media, favorite hobbies, or even shopping. These may be different things, but they have one thing in common - detachment. 

When we fast, we detach ourselves from worldly things, and we deny ourselves of the comfort and pleasure we can have. We become one with Jesus in suffering, and we offer it to God. 

This is the essence of fasting Jesus wants from us. God wants us to deny ourselves of the comfort we have. This is negative in nature - denying ourselves. However, it does not end there. There should be something positive as well. We are also asked to share this comfort to others and not just withhold it from ourselves for a bit. God wants others to benefit from our fasting. The first reading tells us this:

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

Clear. Simple. Fast from being comfortable, step out of our comfort zone and help others. There are a lot who need help. We should be Jesus to others. We should share God’s love and his blessings to others. This makes fasting more meaningful - not only to ourselves but moreao to others. 

Fasting is not always negative in nature, not just sacrifice and denying ourselves. It is also deliberately doing good to others. 

What do I plan to give up this lent? What are the sacrifices I have in mind? Am I considering something positive - to give something to others? To be a blessing and share God’s provisions to others? 

May we be challenged and may we be willing to step up to that challenge of doing good fast for God. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I forget this. Sorry for just fasting from comfortable things and not thinking of others. Sorry for not focusing on you as I fast. Help me do this. Help me step up and rise to the challenge. I want to. Lord, I pray that you help me make a good fast. May I be ready and willing to step out of my comfort zone and do good to others, to be your ambassador to others. May you use me to make your love more real and more alive. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections:

https://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2016/02/good-fast.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2015/02/correct-fasting.html

February 19, 2021

Friday after Ash Wednesday; St. Barbatus

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FIRST READING

Isaiah 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!

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RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 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.

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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.

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GOSPEL

Matthew 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.”