WHY DO WE FAST?

Reflection for Friday after Ash Wednesday
(Is 58:1-9; Mt 9:14-15)
On this first Friday of Lent, the readings address the issue of fasting. There is a deeper understanding about fasting in the teachings of Jesus than in the Old law. The Prophet Isiah introduces fasting as a means of appeasing God for transgressions. He condemned mere external show, which does not reflect in righteous deeds. “Is not this the fast that I  choose: to loose the bonds of the wickedness...to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry...”

Thus even in the Old Law fasting has a positive connotation. It is not mere ‘punishment’ for the body, but a ‘hunger’ for righteousness. God accepts such fasting that leads to a change of heart for goodness. It means, therefore, that in choosing the objects of our fast, we must choose to deny ourselves those things that pull us out of grace and make us selfish. “Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer, you shall cry, and He will say, Here I am.”

Furthermore, this question of fasting is brought to Jesus. As if wearied, burdened and trapped in their own fasting, the disciples of John the Baptist approached Jesus, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” This hypocritical attitude is common. When someone fasting begins to notice those who are not, distraction has set in. And it makes fasting burdensome and scary! Jesus’ explanation and introduction to the new order of fasting is liberating and enriching.

“Can the wedding guest mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.” Thus, fasting is ‘timed’, and for the exaltation of the ‘Bridegroom’, whose “taken away” announces the time of fasting. In other words, the ‘wedding guests’, Christ’ faithful, in full communion with Him, have achieved the ultimate purpose of fasting, for Christ Jesus is their Righteousness. But the ‘time’ of fasting awakens when we long for this fullness of grace and communion with Jesus. Thus, we fast because we long for Jesus; our fasting is our expression for our hunger for Jesus. Whatever that is the object of our fasting is such that must increase our desire for Jesus.

It is joyfully and fulfilling to thirst for Him who thirsts for us!

Fr Jude Chinwe Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help,
Ugwogo-Nike, Enugu.
Friday March 8th, 2019.