HOMILY FOR FRIDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY

Homily for Friday after Ash Wednesday. 

Isaiah 58:1-9a;  Matthew 9:14-15.

What is the essence of fasting if God does not hear our prayers with all our fasting? God himself has an answer for us in the first reading concerning this question. All religiosity in the season of Lent is empty without justice to God and humanity. "Behold, in the day of your fast, you seek your own pleasure, and oppress your workers. ...... . Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice be heard on high." Fasting that makes our prayers heard by God is that we are charitable, kind, generous to people, and worship God in truth.

If our Lenten observance does not enable Jesus to realise these objectives for the good of others, we should rethink and re-evaluate our Christianity. God is tired of faceless Christianity.

Still concerning fasting, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ in today's Gospel suggest that there is time for fasting and a time for not fasting. He speaks of Himself as the bridegroom, signifying that His ministry is like a joyful wedding feast when the divine bridegroom reaches out in love through Jesus to His bride, God's people.

There is no need for fasting at a wedding feast. Hence, during Lent, we don't fast on Sunday because each Sunday, we celebrate the feast of Christ's resurrection. Christ, the bridegroom is always with us in spirit and in reality, yet there is a need for spiritual discipline to attain some transcendent insight.

May our Lenten observance enable us to be charitable and sensitive to the needs of others, especially the less privileged through Christ our Lord. Amen