Today’s readings focus on fasting. What is the meaning and purpose of fasting? When should we fast? What is a fast acceptable to God? In the Gospel on Ash Wednesday Jesus taught us, “When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.” (Matthew 6:16). Jesus teaches that fasting is not done for outward glory, so people see how holy and pious we are.
In today’s Gospel Jesus teaches that now is not the time to fast. While he is on earth and the Kingdom of God is at hand is not the time to weep and fast but rather to rejoice and turn to God. It is the joy of the wedding not the time of sadness of a funeral: “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.” With Jesus death on the cross comes the time for fasting.
The prophet Isaiah in today’s first reading teaches us what a true fast is, one that is acceptable to God:
“Is this not, rather, the fast that I choose: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; Setting free the oppressed, breaking off every yoke? Is it not sharing your bread with the hungry, bringing the afflicted and the homeless into your house; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own flesh?” (Isaiah 58:6-7)
A true fast is practicing social justice, showing compassion to the least of God’s children. Jesus teaches that not only is this a true fast but is also the criterion on which we will be judged:
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me…Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:35-36, 40).
As we fast during the season of Lent we are reminded of the many hungry people in our community and in our world. Let us pray to God:
“Open our eyes to the needs of our brothers and sisters; inspire in us words and actions to comfort those who labor and are burdened. Make us serve them truly, after the example of Christ and at his command. And may your Church stand as a living witness to truth and freedom, to peace and justice, that all people may be raised up to a new hope.” (Eucharistic Prayer for Special Needs IV).
Image: “FMSC Distribution Partner – Haiti” by Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) is licensed under CC BY 2.0.