FRIDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY

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

The people of Jerusalem were fasting, and they wanted God to take notice! And he did, but not in the way they had expected. Instead of being pleased with their self-denial, he spoke through the prophet Isaiah to warn them of their hypocrisy. By itself, fasting was of little value if they continued to disobey the Lord and ignore the needs of their neighbors.

We often associate the season of Lent with fasting, but the Church usually talks about this ancient spiritual practice alongside two others: prayer and almsgiving. Fasting by itself won’t necessarily help us to follow the Lord or grow closer to him. But when we combine it with prayer and almsgiving, it can bear beautiful fruit in our lives.

For example, the hunger pangs we feel when we’ve skipped a meal or the discomfort we experience when we forgo something is a reminder of how weak we are and how much we need to rely on the Lord. That can spur us to turn to God in that very moment and ask for his grace. It can also help us to realize how we often substitute created things to satisfy us when only the Lord can truly fulfill us.

Fasting also brings to mind all the people who have less than we do. We may be denying ourselves something that is easily accessible and within our reach. How many others in the world are “fasting” not because they choose to but because there isn’t enough to go around? Fasting can raise our awareness of our brothers and sisters who are suffering and in need. That, in turn, can help us to become more generous in giving alms—whether that’s by giving away our money, our possessions, or our time in service to them.

If you’ve already decided what to fast from this Lent, think about the ways it might lead you to deepen your prayer and almsgiving. If you haven’t, ask the Lord what kind of fast would help you do so. Above all, remember that whatever you do this Lent, it’s all for one purpose: to help you respond to the love that God has already shown you. That’s what the Jews in today’s first reading had forgotten. May we never lose sight of it!

“Jesus, help me to bear fruit for you this Lent.”

Isaiah 58:1-9
Psalm 51:3-6, 18-19
Matthew 9:14-15