“Shout it aloud, do not
hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet. Declare to my people their
rebellion and to the descendants of Jacob their sins.”
Dear Sisters and Brothers
in Christ, Peace be with you!!!
In this holy season of
Lent, a time of grace, repentance, and spiritual renewal, many of us fast, give
up certain pleasures, and dedicate ourselves to deeper prayer. But today,
through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord shakes us out of any shallow or misguided
practices of fasting. He challenges us to go beyond external observances and discover
the true meaning of fasting, the kind that pleases Him.
A
Question of the Heart : The people in Isaiah’s time thought
they were being righteous because they were fasting, bowing their heads in
humility, and making sacrifices. Yet, they asked, “Why have we fasted, and
you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?”
(Isaiah 58:3).
God’s response is direct and piercing:
“On the day of your
fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends
in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You
cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high” (Isaiah
58:3-4)
This passage speaks to
us today. Sometimes, we think we are pleasing God just by following religious
routines, attending Mass, praying more, avoiding meat on Fridays, but our
hearts remain unchanged. We may fast from food, yet we continue to gossip,
harbor resentment, refuse to forgive, or ignore the needs of those around us.
So, what then is the fast that God desires?
The
Fast That God Desires : God is not interested in empty
rituals. He does not want a fast that is only about appearances. Instead, He
calls us to a fast of justice, mercy, and love:
“Is not this the kind of
fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of
the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer
with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from
your own flesh and blood?”
(Isaiah 58:6-7)
Here, the Lord is
redefining fasting for us. Fasting is not just about what we give up, but about
what we give. It is about breaking the chains that bind us and others, bringing
light into the darkness, and transforming the world around us.
How then can we fast in this Season of Lent? : If we
truly want to fast in a way that pleases the Lord, we must go beyond external
observances and embrace a Lenten fast of the heart and actions.
- Fast from Injustice, Feast on Righteousness : Are we
treating others fairly? Are we honest in our dealings? Let us fast from
dishonesty and deceit and instead seek to act with integrity in all we do.
- Fast from Selfishness, Feast on Generosity : Instead of
simply giving up food, why not give food to someone in need? Instead of
avoiding social media for a time, why not use it to spread messages of
hope and encouragement?
- Fast from Gossip, Feast on Encouragement : Words have
power. Let us fast from speaking ill of others and instead use our words
to uplift and inspire.
- Fast from Unforgiveness, Feast on Reconciliation : Is there
someone we have refused to forgive? Lent is the perfect time to reach out
and make peace.
- Fast from Indifference, Feast on Compassion : There are so many people suffering, both
near and far. Instead of ignoring their pain, let us ask: How can I be
Christ to someone today?
The
Promise of True Fasting : When we fast in this way, the Lord gives
us a beautiful promise:
“Then your light will
break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your
righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear
guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and
he will say: Here am I.” (Isaiah 58:8-9)
This is the kind of
fasting that brings transformation! This is the fast that restores
relationships, heals wounds, and brings us closer to God.
Living
the True Spirit of Lent : My dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
as we walk through this holy season, let us ask ourselves: Are we just going
through the motions of Lent, or are we truly letting this time transform our
hearts?
Let us embrace the fast
that pleases the Lord, a fast of love, of mercy, of justice. Because when we
fast in this way, we will not only draw closer to God, but we will become a
light to the world, shining with the radiance of Christ.
May the Lord give us the grace to live this Lenten fast in
a way that brings true renewal to our hearts, our families, and our
communities.
Amen.🙏🙏🙏
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