Readings: Isaiah 58:1-9, Ps. 51:3-6, 18-19, Matthew 9:14-15
“Behold, on the day of your fast, you seek your pleasure and oppress all your workers. Behold, you fast only to quarrel, fight and hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high.” (Isaiah 58:3-4)
The disciples of John asked Jesus: “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” Could it be that Jesus’ disciples were secretly fasting? Recall that Jesus told us on Ash Wednesday: “When you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that men may see their fasting. … When you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that men may not see your fasting but your Father who is in secret.” (Matthew 6:16-18)
On the other, was there a need for Jesus’ disciples to fast? John’s disciples and all Jews fast to pray for the coming of the Messiah. In other words, as long as Jesus was present in flesh and blood, there was no need for their fasting. Do you continue to pray for something that you already have? Jesus asked, “Can the wedding guests mourn while the bridegroom is still with them?”
If we must fast, we must *first be sure that our fasting is necessary and purposeful.* Avoid following the crowd. Your fasting should be between you and God. Am I fasting because it is fasting season (or because I see others fasting)? What exactly do I hope to achieve by my fasting? Don’t fast if you have no prayer intention (purpose), lest you constantly check the time. This is self-deception. Fast to seek God’s favour on something. Fast for the repentance of the thieves who call themselves leaders in our nation. Fast for an end to kidnapping, inflation, rising cost of living, etc.
*Secondly, ensure that you are only depriving yourself of those things that you have in abundance.* For instance, in Nigeria, having one good meal daily is a luxury for many families. For such families, fasting from food during this season is completely pointless. You cannot be fasting from something that was never available in the first place.
*Thirdly, you cannot fast from something that you were never meant to have in the first place.* For instance, you cannot fast from sinful habits such as stealing, telling lies, watching pornography, masturbation, pre-marital or extra-marital sex and so on. We are supposed to die to these things, not pause for a while (in the name of Lent) and then resume again with greater velocity after Easter. Fast from something good (a necessary item) so that your fasting truly becomes a sacrifice offered to God.
*Fourthly, sinful habits such as quarrelling (fighting, revenge, acts of wickedness, etc.) completely nullify your fasting.* If you choose to fast from food, do not let your hunger trigger anger or bitterness. Other types of fasting (as mentioned by Isaiah in today’s first reading) which are pleasing to God include: “To lose the bonds of wickedness, to let the oppressed go free, to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him” (Cf. Isaiah 58:6-7)
Fasting is not simply about skipping meals or avoiding meat. God takes no pleasure in seeing people go without food (Jesus fed multitudes with bread and fish twice). True fasting is showing kindness to oppressed people, providing shelter for the homeless and giving clothes to the naked. St. James says: “If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,’ and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that?” (James 2:15-16). *Fasting is useless if no one is benefiting from it.*
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, may my fast find favour in your sight. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Friday after Ash Wednesday. Bible Study: Isaiah 58:1-9, Ps. 51:3-6,18-19, Matthew 9:14-15).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu