FRIDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY
The
First Pillar - Fasting
Hungering
for God
Isaiah 58: 1-9
Mathew 9: 14-15
Day 1
Yesterday
on the first day after Ash Wednesday we reflected on Choice. Moses Commanded to choose life over death. We were
challenged to choose at the beginning of this lent. It was An open invitation
for all of us to choose freely in order to follow prayerfully, sincerely this
lent. Well, if we don't consider seriously to make a proper choice, time flies
but we remain unchanged.
Day 2
And
this second day, we are led into one of the important practices for lent : fasting The act of Fasting is one of the
Spiritual practices which is integral to every faith, it’s been for ages. Today
in the Gospel the disciples of John ask a very significant question with regard
to fasting. The disciples of John approached Jesus and
said,"Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not
fast?". Therefore it is the need of the time to reflect and understand the
true meaning of fasting as we begin our Lenten journey.
In
both the readings of the day the context was about fasting. God through the
mouth of Prophet Isaiah perfectly explains what is True Fasting through which
God is honoured.
The
people of Israel were keeping the practice of fast, devoting themselves to
pious activities and doing all the religious rituals. The reading states that on the surface level people seem to
be spiritual, loving,
devoted to God, seeking God daily, Seeking righteousness,Fasting
regularly. However it
appears that they were not heard, their prayers were not answered, their voice
went unheard. So the people started complaining, questioning and becoming
rebellious.
So
it is in this situation God speaks through prophet Isaiah and makes his
intentions clear, makes his stand crystal clear with regard to Fasting.
God does not like the following type of fasting, which
was evident in the people
God exposes their shallow attitude
and falsehood in their practices. He points out the real problem, it’s not that
they were not fasting but the problem in their attitude, in their behaviour and
in their disposition towards God and themselves and others.
● Their fasting was not of right
heart, observed as a mere ritual performance
● Their fasting was intended toward
personal benefits and self interests
● They fasted but continued to exploit
their labourers, workers
● They fasted but continued to oppress
others
● They fasted but continued to
quarrel, fight and dispute among themselves
● They fasted but there is not an inch
of change in their life.
So, God does not like this type of
empty show, special performances before others. He is not pleased with this
exhibition. Instead God desires a different approach towards fasting.
The kind of fast liked by God (Is: 6-9)
Dear friends, here we need to consider
and understand the true means of the words of prophet Isaiah from the verses 6
to 9. Fasting as per the verses consists of Omission (leaving) and Commission
(doing).
Omission:
❖ They must stop oppressing others
(oppression = treating other unfairly, badly, and not giving freedom, opportunities)
❖ They must remove the burdens/yoke
laid on them as though treating as animal ( injustices, unnecessary evil
thoughts, words and actions)
❖ They must stop pointing fingers at
others, speaking ill of others and blaming unnecessarily.
❖ They must stop hurting others in
their thoughts, words and deeds. (physically, mentally, psychologically and
emotionally. Do not play with other’s emotions)
Commission:-
● They must share and seek to provide
bread
● They must share seek to provide the
shelter
● They must share seek to provide the
clothes
● They must seek to free those who are
in your bondages of injustices ( also
bondages of flesh, unforgiveness and other evil influences)
● They must share and seek to provide
care and comfort materially, spiritually, psychologically, physically,
emotionally and socially.
Therefore, fasting consists of the
holistic well-being of oneself and others. And also a holistic sincere attitude
towards God. God’s concern is that when we fast there are things we must avoid
and there are things we must provide. When they are fulfilled as the verses
from 8 to 9 describe, God shines his light on them, bestows his grace on them,
and guides through his presence and he satisfies us , sustains us, heals us, and
finally hears our prayers and blesses our fasting.
In
Matthew 6: 16-18,
In terms of fasting, affirming what was
in Isaiah and the Lord Jesus teaches
continues to enhance and brings out the true meaning.
➔
Fasting is a means to communion with God
➔
Fasting consists of
rejoicing and celebration not sorrow and gloom
➔
Fasting is attachment
to God therefore it’s a detachment from unhealthy attachments.
➔
Fasting is acquiring
attention to God, not just discarding likes and dislikes.
➔
Fasting is reducing the
fat of sins, evil habits and tendencies.
Through these readings God speaks to
each one of us today. We also
participate in this spiritual act of fasting, many devotional activities
everyday during this season. But often we think that our prayer is not heard ,
our pious activities are not noticed by God and rebel against him and complain.
But have we ever given a thought that,
is my fasting self-centered like the people in the first reading? Am I
seeking public opinion and appreciation like Pharisees?
If that is the case, time for us to
change our direction. Change our focus and turn towards God and listen to what
he instructs us about fasting.
In modern terms : fasting
need not be only from food, it also can be
from social media, technology, gossip, and excessive screen time. Fasting
should remind us of our hunger for God.
Here are Pope Francis’s suggestions:
Do you want to fast this Lent?
Fast from hurting words |
And
say kind words. |
Fast from sadness |
And
be filled with gratitude. |
Fast from anger |
And
be filled with patience. |
Fast from pessimism |
And
be filled with hope. |
Fast
from worries |
And trust
in God. |
Fast
from complaints |
And
contemplate simplicity. |
Fast
from bitterness joy. |
And
fill your heart with |
Fast
from selfishness and |
And
be compassionate to
others. |
Fast
from grudges |
And
be reconciled. |
Fast
from words |
And
be silent so you can listen. |
Fast
from pressures |
And
bee prayerful. |
Some biblical
texts for reference : Ezra 8: 21-23, Daniel 9: 3-5 ; Joel 2:12-13; Jonah 3:
5-9; Mathew 6 : 16-18
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కామెంట్ను పోస్ట్ చేయండి