Fasting is defined as "a period of abstention or self-denial." The days of Lent are characterized by such a fasting of spirit, if not also of material things.
The purpose of fasting is twofold: it is to prioritize one's values – by focusing on a higher good over a lower one; and it is to allow God the opportunity to work through us in a less encumbered way.
In the first reading from the prophet Isaiah today we see the kind of fasting that God wishes from us that would be acceptable to him: as a focus of higher value he wants us to help others: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke, setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; sharing our bread with the hungry and the oppressed and the homeless, clothing the naked when we see them and not turning our back on our own!
This would not only fulfill the first purpose of fasting – to take the focus off ourselves – but also the second purpose of partnering with God in caring for his people!
And then comes the promised reward: "Then your light shall break for like the dawn, and you wound shall quickly be healed; your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: "Here I am!" There is no greater reward than this!
In the gospel passage, Jesus, explains why his disciples are "temporarily" not fasting – as John the Baptist's disciples are fasting: he explains that fasting is done when the object of the fasting (the bridegroom) is absent; or not yet present: Jesus, the Bridegroom, is present to his disciples and so they do not fast: instead they have the privilege of being motivated and empowered to act like him, seeking good and doing it with his help! But, he tells the questioner, there will come a time when he is taken away (during his Passion) when the disciples will fast; and then again at his Ascension when he is taken from their sight to return again: during these times: it will be appropriate for periods of fasting and refocusing – such as periods of Lent which the Church provides each year to keep us on track!
A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. Take our humble, contrite hearts today, O Lord, and by our loving, helpful service to our neighbor, let us fast and pray in an acceptable way!
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