By A Joseph Inbaraj, CSC –
Readings: Is 58:1-9; Mt 9:14-15
Readings of the day invite me to reflect upon the theme “Fasting”. The readings of the day taught me that fasting is lot more than just abstaining from food and drink.
I come across different kinds of people who use books for various purposes. Some like to read more books and share the knowledge with others. A few read books and don’t share the message with others. A few people don’t like to read books but they would like to purchase books to decorate their rooms and houses. Some like to buy books when it attracts them. Because of these reasons we often forget the purpose of the books or its real meaning. Reading books helps us to discover ourselves, focus and concentrate our mind, makes us smarter, and helps us to express our thoughts and ideas better. Until we share our knowledge with others, everything goes in vein.
Same thing happens in fasting too. Different people understand fasting as it pleases them. But in the first reading, Isaiah reminds us of what fasting is. Fasting is to deny ourselves and to help those in need. Our fasting, by abstaining from food and drinks, has to help us to open ourselves to come closer to God and to do his mission by serving the poor and the afflicted.
As we are in the Lenten season, the Church gives us an invitation to focus on our spiritual life. Let our fasting help us to shift the focus from ourselves to others.