Friday after Ash Wednesday
(Isaiah
58:1-9a; Matthew 9:14-15)
Today’s
first reading from the prophet Isaiah has led some priests to discourage
fasting as a Lenten practice. They say
people should do something positive for their neighbors rather than deny
themselves. Up to a point, they have a
point. However, Jesus does not reject
fasting in the gospel. As today’s
passage indicates, there is a time for fasting.
Christians traditionally made that time the season of Lent.
Nevertheless,
Christian fasting should be accompanied by good deeds. Without such deeds
fasting becomes hollow ritual, an exercise in vanity. Everyone is aware that fasting likely ends in
weight loss which is often favorable to health and beauty. Good works indicates that these are not all
we seek by fasting.
We might
ask whether fasting itself does any good.
The answer is that it depends upon our motivation, which is usually
complex. If we fast, at least in part, out
of love for God, we will grow closer to Him.
Fasting may be compared to joining a solidarity march in support of the Ukrainian
people. Even though we are far away, the
people may become aware of our concern for their fate. Also, done out of love, it becomes another
good act by which we grow in virtue.
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