FASTING THAT BRINGS AN INTIMATE
RELATIONSHIP
Jesus’ teachings require us to go out of ourselves to love and care for
others.
In recent times,
there has been a new emphasis placed on the holy season of Lent. The fact,
however, that we are obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday does not
mean less self-denial and sacrifice in other areas as well. What is asked of us
now is a greater denial of oneself in the form of unselfish love and service of
others, according to the manner described in today's first reading.
God tells us,
through the Prophet Isaiah, that we are to share our bread with the hungry, to
shelter the oppressed and the homeless, and not turn our backs on anyone. To be
concerned about others and to be aware of their needs means renouncing our
personal inclinations and seeking the welfare of those whom we encounter. If
our focus is on our own conveniences, our own comfort, our own rights, or even
our own perfection, we will never follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. His
teachings require us to go out of ourselves to love and care for others. This
is the point Jesus is making in today's Gospel.
According to the
Old Testament Law, fasting was only required on the Day of Atonement. However,
it had become a pious practice among the Jews to fast more often. Jesus did not
condemn fasting as such. He pointed out that the era had arrived that, like a
bridegroom, He would draw His spouse - the People of God - into an intimate
relationship of love.
There are a variety
of ways to fast and reasons as to why we voluntarily choose to deny ourselves.
For example, we might abstain from something in order to gain freedom from a
bad habit or addiction, to share in the suffering of those who go without, or
to grow in our hunger for God and for the things of heaven. Basil the Great
wrote: "Take heed that you do not make fasting to consist only in
abstinence from meats. True fasting is to refrain from vice. Shred to pieces
all your unjust contracts. Pardon your neighbors. Forgive them their
trespasses."
We are called to
pray and to hunger for God's love; His divine love seeks to dwell within our
hearts as we free ourselves to live an abundant life. Our love must be like His
- unselfish and self-sacrificing.
What kind of fasting
do you commit to this Lent?