The genuine and real fast which is demanded of us during Lent

Gospel Thoughts*

*Friday after Ash Wednesday*

*GOSPEL - Is 58:1-9a*

*First Reading - Mt 9:14-15*

*The genuine and real fast which is demanded of us during Lent*

*1) Our Understanding of Fast/Fasting*

Normally we understand fasting means abstaining from the food. In orther words giving up those items which are very dear to us.

At times our understanding of fasting only limited to the area of food and drinks 

Since this is our understanding many people give up the favourite food and special eatable items in order to keep up the spirit of lent 

But the question is does fasting is only limited to the area of food, drinks and eatable things? 

Isaiah gives us a beautiful explanation of the real meaning of fasting 

*2) The various aspects which are involved in the real or genuine fasting*

*A) releasing those bound unjustly*

First of all in this category I need to include myself 

Am I unjustly bound by something in my life? 

Some of us unjustly bound by anger, jealousy, pride, selfishness and various other evil things 

The genuine spirit of Lent and fasting must help me to release myself from these unjust things 

The process of relieving myself from these things involves a real and genuine fast 

*B) Untying the thongs of the yoke*

At times Yoke is a symbol of slavery. 

Lenten fast involves in untying the various thongs of the yoke

Some of us have been made slave by the yoke of drinks, drugs, internet, uncontrolled desire for food/fast food, and addiction to various other things 

So Lenten fast should help me to untying myself from the thongs of these yokes.

*C) Setting free the oppressed*

Oppression reduces a human being into the level of animal. 

Oppressor considers the oppressed as the slave 

Giving freedom from the oppression should be the real spirit of the Lenten fasting 

Either I myself is oppressed by various crisis, or the other is oppressed by various problems. 

Lack for confidence, love, support, acceptance, may make a person to feel oppressed. 

*D) Sharing your bread with the hungry*

Anything can be postponed. But not the hunger 

There is question of postponing the hunger. It has to be met quickly

Fasting has to do a lot with sharing with the bread. 

One is unable to eat the food of five people. But five can share the food of one person. This is the beauty of sharing the bread. 

*E) Sheltering the oppressed and the homeless*

Give shelter to *Love* in your life. At times love becomes homeless in my life 

Give shelter to *generosity* in your life 

Give shelter to *Peace* in your life 

Give shelter to *humility, forgiveness, sacrifice, purity, care, concern* in your life. 

Give shelter to *your neighbour* by having a good and cordial relationship. 

These are some of the important values which may disappear from our *home - so called our life* and may become homeless.

So lent is the time to give shelter to these homeless values in my life.

*F) Clothing the naked when you see them*

Cloth your nakedness of stinginess by the garment of generosity

Cloth your nakedness of gossip by the garment of good words 

Cloth your nakedness of wordly pleasures, pomp and glory by the garment of simplicity of life

Cloth your nakedness of greed by the garment of sharing and giving 

This process leads to the real spirit of fasting 

*G) Not turning your back on your own*

Don't turn your back to your own voice of the conscience

Don't turn your back to your own feelings of, guilt, feelings of sorry

Don't turn your back to your own shortcomings, mistakes, problems, crisis, and so on 

So Isaiah gives us a real meaning of the spirit of fasting 

This fast can be seen in my own life or also seen in reference to my neighbour

Am I ready to undergo such fast instead of mere giving up some little food. 

Think about it

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*