After Ash Wednesday
24th February 2023 (Friday) Readings and Reflection
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Reading of the Day
First Reading: Isaiah 58:1-9a
Thus says the Lord God: "Cry aloud; do not hold back; lift up your voice like a trumpet; declare to my people their transgression, to the house of Jacob their sins. Yet they seek me daily and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that did righteousness and did not forsake the judgment of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments; they delight to draw near to God. 'Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?' Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the Lord? "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rearguard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, 'Here I am.'
Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 18-19 (R. 19bc)
R/. A broken and humbled heart, O God, you will not spurn.
Gospel : Matthew 9:14-15
At that time: The disciples of John came to Jesus, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?" And Jesus said to them, "Can the wedding guests 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."
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertWarning}
Main Theme: Not only the act but the whole life!
Indicative: In all religions, there are many religious practices and activities. It is not enough that they are done devoutly but they must bring about a change in life{alertSuccess}
1. No religion lacks some devotional exercises and religious obligations. Many perform them faithfully. For sure, prayers, fasting, and almsgiving are practised in every religion. But the real issue is how much change takes place in their concrete life
2. Often, their devotion does not correspond to their life. The fidelity, rigour, enthusiasm, and generosity shown in the religious domain often are not seen in day-to-day life. Thus, we see many who donate huge sums in their temples but are either so greedy or indifferent to the needy. Many are so faithful to their prayers but are very deceptive toward others. Many are so rigorous in fasting but are devoid of self-discipline
3. Their bundles of prayers do not really bring them closer to God. Their fasting does not help them to be pure before God. Their almsgiving does not increase their spirit of sensitivity and compassion
4. Thus we see often religious actions fail to groom persons in an intimate relationship with God and steady kindness and justice toward others. Pious practices may abound but they do not touch and change the spirit, attitudes, and perspectives of the person. In short, religious fidelity may not lead to an authentic life of faith and charity
5. So it is no wonder that there are many who believe and perform many things in the religious domain but do not live a good and holy life. This is where a life of contradiction emerges and religion and spirituality become shallow and lose their credibility
6. It is in this context that God is outspoken in both readings. In the first reading from Isaiah, God speaks out his mind that fasting which fails in justice and charity is not pleasing and even detestable in his sight.
7. In the gospel, Jesus indicates that fasting (and for that matter all religious practices) will lose their value if they do not lead to the presence and intimacy of the Lord, the real “bridegroom”. They must help us to celebrate his presence and also to regain his lost company if it happens so.
Imperative: It is the right time that we examine whether our religious practices renew our life and make us more holy and charitable{alertSuccess}