Friday after Ash Wednesday Spiritual Diet

Ish 58:1-9, Mt. 9:14-15. Oftentimes, we limit fast to reducing our intake of food, but Isaiah defined fasting in a new way. Today's first reading presents the complain of the chosen people of God: “Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?” God responds by pointing out the misguided aim and their oppressive act even while they fast: "Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day, and oppress all your workers. Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to strike with a wicked fist. Such fasting as you do today will not make your voice heard on high." The fasting which God desires should lead to freeing the oppressed, feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless and clothing the naked – that is, to put effort in the acts of compassion, love and mercy. Fasting includes the need to identify and reduce the things that damage and oppress other people and to promote justice on behalf of those in need. Genuine fasting cannot be separated from another classic Jewish ideal: almsgiving, or sharing our resources with others.

In today's Gospel, Jesus also speaks of fasting as moments of mourning because of the absence of Christ in one's life due to sin. The presence of the Bridegroom models for us the presence of Christ who transforms the life of the disciples who undergo transformation as they remain with Him. Staying with Jesus imparts simplicity to the disciple, imbues His follower with compassionate love. Christian spirituality has a clear response: that through our sacrifice, mortification, self-denial, we are able to reach out in charity. Fasting facilitates attachment to higher value; that we detach ourselves from things and values of life, in order to get attached to God. Detaching ourselves from important values, we embrace the most important value, namely, union with God. The disciples who are already detached from their homes and families, jobs and sources of income, are already at the level of attachment to the Lord. They are now communing with the Bridegroom until He departs from them.

Lord Jesus, grant us the grace to stay with you always, imitating and reflecting your goodness! Amen!! Good morning and have a wonderful day!!!