Friday after Ash
Wednesday
(Isaiah 58:1-9a; Matthew 9:14-15)
Abraham Lincoln’s “Second Inaugural Address” has been
acclaimed as his greatest speech. Yet it
criticizes the nation in a way that would be unthinkable today. It says, “(God) gives to both North and South
this terrible war as the woe due to those by whom the offense came.” This means that as both northern and southern
states profited by slavery, God has now punished both sides. But the speech goes beyond recalling the sins
of the nation. It also hints of reform
by indicating the resolve to settle the costs of the war “with malice toward
none, with charity for all.” However so
much the “Second Inaugural” demonstrates Lincoln’s skill as an orator, it shows
him as a prophet in line with Isaiah in today’s first reading.
The prophet declares God’s frustration with the offerings
of the people. He sees them as
manipulative of God’s love, not submissive to God’s dominion. He chastises the people for quarrelling over
whose sacrifice is sufficient rather than showing communal remorse for sins
committed. But the tenor of the prophecy
is ultimately not negative. It also describes
the sacrifice that pleases God. It calls
the people beyond individual displays of asceticism to communal solidarity with
the suffering.
We might ask ourselves then if any fasting is desirable. The answer to the query should be self-evident. Not only does the Church prescribe an acceptable
fast for Lent, but Jesus indicates its appropriateness in today’s gospel. But we must remember not to fast to show off individual
ability to endure hardship. No, we fast
to recognize our common need for God’s mercy.
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