By Nameswar Baliar Singh csc
Readings: Is 58: 1-9; Mt 9: 14-15
The readings of the day invite me to denounce the worldly pleasure and make Jesus the center of my life. Jesus is the bridegroom and he calls me along with his disciples to be his friend and to be the part of celebration. As long as Jesus is with me I need to be joyful amidst sadness, weakness and vulnerability.
The joy of his active friendship I should carry throughout the world for the glory of his name. Fasting represents mourning and sadness, like that of Pharisees. They fast in front of the people, it became the traditional practice for them. But in the context of Jesus fasting is not necessary during the joyful celebration, because there is time for everything. It is an invitation for me to anticipate joyful presence and of his coming. Today he does encourage me the practice of fasting not only from food but to fast from the worldly things, hatred, envy, anger and jealousy as well.
The Pharisees were doing a ritual fasting from food alone and that ritual did not give them the spirituality of love and forgiveness. Jesus reminds them that fasting should be out of love for the Lord and not following a custom. As for me, I should hunger for Jesus because his grace towards me is unconditional. I should learn to forgive others and their trespasses. My fasting will be meaningful only when I am able to love and forgive my brothers and sisters like Jesus did. There will be much more challenges and conflicts but if I stand strong seeking God’s grace and accept the reality for the sake of Jesus, then no evil can distract my joyful life in the society where I live and Jesus will bring newness of life in me.