The scripture readings for today can be found at Friday after Ash Wednesday | USCCB
The focus on today’s readings for mass is on the
importance of fasting. Fasting is an important part of many different faith
traditions. In the Jewish faith, on Yom Kipper, also known as the Day of
Atonement, Jews are expected to fast all day, and be in intense prayer with God
in order to review their lives over the previous year, and to repent of their
sinfulness. For Muslims, Ramadan is a month of fasting and prayer to review
their relationship with God and to repent of their sinfulness. For us
Catholics, during Lent we fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Further, Lent
is a time when we review our relationship with God and how we have lived out
our call to be Christians since last Easter.
In the first reading for today, we hear from Isaiah
the prophet, and we are learning that there is more to fasting than to just not
eating food. The prophet points out that people, as they are fasting, are working,
and carrying out their selfish pursuits. At the end of their fasts, they start
quarreling and fighting with each other. Isaiah goes on to say that this is not
what God wants! The type of fasting God is looking for is treating others with
respect, helping those in need, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked.
Further, during this time of Lent we need to focus on
our relationships with others and how we treat those around us, whether it is
with our spouses, with our children, or our extended family and friends. If we
are not treating them with the love and respect that God expects us to have
towards them, all the fasting that we do will not bring us into a better
relationship with God. Fighting with our spouses, children or friends is not
pleasing to God. Further, gossip is something that we need to avoid. Gossip
attacks the reputations of those we are talking about and shows a lack of love
and respect towards the people we are talking about.
During the next forty days of Lent, let us turn to God
with true repentance in our hearts and to turn to others in our lives that need
our love and support. Isaiah encourages
us to not only fast but to do those works of charity towards those in our lives
that need our help most. Then, as the prophet Isaiah says, “Your vindications shall go before you, and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.”
In everything we do we are supposed to be focused on loving God with everything that is in us & to love our neighbor as ourselves. Our Lenten practices are supposed to help us to do this & to look beyond ourselves to see how we can help others. The money we save from giving up some treat can be used to help the poor, whether homeless people we encounter or the Church or private charities.
ReplyDeleteReceived via email: Thank you, Deacon Tom
ReplyDeleteThe last paragraph of your reflection summarizes the whole intent of what and how we as true Catholics are expected to live out the season of Lent:
“During the next forty days of Lent, let us turn to God with true repentance in our hearts and to turn to others in our lives that need our love and support. Isaiah encourages us to not only fast but to do those works of charity towards those in our lives that need our help most. Then, as the prophet Isaiah says, “Your vindications shall go before you, and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.””
Rightly stated.
But, with all due respect, I will like to add that as true Catholics, we should make a conscientious attempt not to limit this practice during Lent, alone, (but, in remembrance to the Passion and Crucifixion of our Lord, Jesus Christ), we should be concerned with an attempt to make it a daily act of true love and devotion to our Saving Lord, who has first loved us.
Peace In Christ,
Nilda V., OCDS