THE WORD IN LENT - Friday after Ash Wednesday
March 07, 2025 - Isaiah 58: 1-9; Matthew 9: 14-15
Fasting is an integral part of almost all religious traditions; even within our Christian tradition, it comes right from the ancient roots of the first testament... with people who fasted to show their allegiance to the Lord! While it is a renowned way of showing one's choice to stand for a cause in the socio-political sphere, as a spiritual practice it is an exercise of manifesting one's commitment to the Lord. It is here that the interpretations begin to differ - making the central question, "what does the Lord want of me?"
Jesus answers that question today, as John's disciples align themselves with the Pharisees and accuse Jesus' disciples of not fasting! Why should they fast, is the question that Jesus poses and that takes us to the question: why should we fast? We need to fast unto holiness; yes, if my fasting in someway does not lead me to holiness, that fast is meaningless, senseless and needless.
Fasting could be of varied types:
- there could be an egoistic fast which helps me to show everyone and to myself that I am capable of extraordinary feats and take me to the arrogance of despising others who do not fast, become insensitive to others and consider myself more special than anyone else. This is an ungodly fast;
- there could be a legalistic fast which makes one a legalistically and ritually perform something out of fear of something untoward or out of pride of being a perfectionist. Everyone who does not practice it is judged drastically and the one who practices places himself above and over everyone else. This is an inhuman fast;
- there could be a symbolic fast which makes me feel vulnerable, weak and in want, but helps me participate in the suffering of the Lord, which I wish to remember. It is a way of realising my worldliness and from that thought trying to liberate myself from many a shackle that might bind me. It need not be too drastic in its measure, anything simple could make me feel this spiritual experience, if it is done with authenticity. This could be appreciable and helpful, but for Jesus it is not sufficient; this is a spiritual fast;
- there is what could be called a fast with integrity, which Jesus and Isaiah teach us today: the fast that place God at the centre and in God, the others who are suffering, who are in need, who look to me for some solace! Hence my fast has to be one with integrity, that looks to reach out to the other, promotes justice and compassion, stabilises relationships and enables me to journey towards holiness; that is the hope-bound fast! That is fasting unto holiness!
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