LOVE-LENT 2017 - THE WORD IN LENT #3

Fasting - Christian love in Action!

Friday after Ash Wednesday - 3rd March, 2017

Is 58: 1-9; Mt 9: 14-15

Fasting is such an important element of Lent and it is considered so important that people use a phrase like 'when does the lenten fast begin' referring to the very season itself. In the Word today Jesus is relativising it, to the horror of the Pharisees and the Scribes. The hypocrisy of the Pharisees and the Scribes is actually in taking offence at what Jesus seems to be saying. Yes, it is hypocritical because, Jesus has not said anything new! He only lives in action what Isaiah said in words. What Isaiah says and Jesus lives is: Fasting is not merely, not eating...fasting is taking up pain on yourself that you may add to the comfort of someone, taking up a sacrifice that you may make someone cope with their suffering, taking up an extra burden on yourself that you may ease the fatigue of someone, giving up something that you consider dear that you may make someone feel wanted - all these because you love that someone!

If fasting makes you angry, frustrated, depressed, self-righteous or judgemental - that is more a sin than a virtue! Who gains from what you don't eat, if you are not going to give it to someone! Will giving alone make you holy - definitely no. Giving with true love, giving with joy and giving without counting the pain -that is true fasting! In fact, fasting is true love in action!

LOVE-LENT - THE WORD IN LENT #3