Friday after Ash Wednesday
As one of the major prophets of the Old Testament it would be safe to say that Isaiah had a flair for the dramatic! When he was inspired to speak for the Lord in our first reading today, he chose to speak not with a shy whimper but with a full-throated trumpet blast! Using today’s language he was shouting: “Listen up, my people! Your notion of fasting is all wrong and distorted because what you are doing causes division and infighting among the people and is actually an obsession about yourself.” And then he clarifies what fasting truly means according to God’s intentions: a change of attitude bringing justice and understanding to the oppressed and genuine practical assistance to the hungry, the poor, and all those stripped of dignity as a human person.
We cannot hear these jolting words of Isaiah without taking a close look at our Lenten resolutions. Have we decided on a healthy balance including increased efforts to pray, to curb our own addictions, but also an informed awareness of the genuine needs of others? This enlarges the meaning of fasting to include the answer Jesus provided in the Gospel. The more we seek a closer relationship with the Lord Jesus, the more appropriate our response will be. With the Lord there is a time to dance and sing, but also a time to mourn.
Reflection by Fr. Daniel Petsche, OSB
Posted in Articles for Lent, Daily Reflections