HOMILY OF FRIDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY — YEAR A
HOMILY OF FRIDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY — YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?
BY: Fr. Mike Lagrimas
Isaiah 58:1-9a; Matthew 9:14-15
Then the disciples of John approached Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast [much], but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered 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.
ALSO RECOMMENDED: HOMILY OF FRIDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY
Fasting has been part of the practice of almost all religions. Jews and Christians have practiced fasting ever since. The Pharisees observe fasting very rigorously and scrupulously. Unfortunately, they lacked sincerity and charity towards the poor and the needy. Their fasting, prayer and almsgiving are only for show. This kind of attitude is what God despises.
In the Gospel today, the Pharisees criticize the disciples of Jesus for not fasting. Jesus takes this occasion to teach about the proper meaning of fasting. In the first place, fasting does not only consist in avoiding or limiting our intake of food and drink. Rather it should lead us to a firm rejection of sin and selfishness. Pope Francis urges us to do this. He said:
“Fast from hurting words and say kind words.
Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.
Fast from anger and be filled with patience.
Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.
Fast from worries and have trust in God.
Fast from complaints; contemplate simplicity.
Fast from pressures and be prayerful.
Fast from bitterness; fill your hearts with joy.
Fast from selfishness and be compassionate.
Fast from grudges and be reconciled.
Fast from words; be silent and listen.”
Furthermore, our fasting becomes more pleasing to God when it is accompanied by works of charity and mercy. In the first reading today, God tells His people through the prophet Isaiah: “This rather is the fasting that I wish: freeing the oppressed, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, sharing bread with the hungry” … and so on.
In other words, we fast, that is, we voluntarily endure hunger, so that we may also feel the pains and sufferings of our poor brethren who do not have enough food to eat. In this way we become more compassionate towards them and do something substantial to help them. We eat less so that the poor can eat more.
If, like the Pharisees, we think we are holy because they pray and fast often, but turn a deaf ear to the plight of the poor, there is a quotation from an anonymous author that may help us seriously examine our values and attitudes:
“I was hungry, and you formed a humanitarian group to discuss my hunger. I was imprisoned, and you crept off to your chapel and prayed for my release. I was naked, and in your mind you debated the morality of my appearance. I was sick, and you knelt and thanked God for your health. I was homeless, and you preached to me of the spiritual shelter of the love of God. I was lonely, and you left me alone to pray for me. You seem so holy, so close to God. But I am still very hungry… and lonely… and cold.” (Anonymous)
During this Season of Lent, let us not only be concerned about avoiding sin and vices, but also about doing acts of charity and mercy to our needy brothers and sisters. In this way, our prayers and fasting will lead us to genuine holiness and we become truly pleasing in the eyes of God.
FOR A SIMILAR HOMILY, CLICK HERE >>>>>
Dear friends in Christ, We have been sustained by your Charity for the past 11years. Here we are saddled with annual bills. Please, be kind to us with your donation. Click on the “Donate” button to get started. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
