HOMILY OF THE FRIDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY — YEAR A

HOMILY OF THE FRIDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY — YEAR A

HOMILY THEME: BAD FASTING

BY: Fr. Paul Karabari

‘..Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with wicked fist..’

Fasting is one of the pillars of Lent with great spiritual benefits, but it can be done in vain. Fasting is an ancient biblical practice. We see fasting throughout the Bible. Moses, Elijah, Daniel, and Jesus all went through prolonged fast as they sought God. Times of national calamity and personal bereavement sometimes called for fasting as a means of humbling oneself, mourning, and seeking God’s mercy (Deuteronomy 9:18; Nehemiah 9:1; Esther 4:16). At least once a year, on the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, the Jews would fast or “afflict their souls.” (Leviticus 16:29-31; 23:27-29; Numbers 29:7). They would also fast at the New Year, Rosh Hashanah.

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Some people would fast regularly week by week. Regular fasting was the practice of John’s disciples. The Prophetess Anna fasted regularly (Luke 2:37), as did Cornelius the Gentile Centurion in Antioch (Acts 10:30 in some texts). Paul, too, may have practised regular fasting, though this isn’t entirely clear (2 Corinthians 6:5; 11:27). The Pharisees fasted twice a week (Mondays and Thursdays) and was adopted by John’s disciples. The early church fasted still twice but different days (Wednesdays and Fridays), a shift from the days of the Pharisees. The Pharisees were proud they fasted twice a week

Isaiah, in the First Reading (Isaiah 58:1-9), challenged the Israelites’ acts of fasting because their attitude was that of false humility, quarrel, and even fighting. ‘You call this a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?’ Isaiah remarked. Such a fast was merely a routine ritual. God desires genuine repentance and inner reform, and no matter the quantity of ashes on the body without conversion, it is nothing but religious entertainment. Like most of us, the Israelites were eager to follow external laws while neglecting inner cleansing; love for neighbour. They fasted with no change in their lifestyle.

Whatever we do this season of Lent, if it does not bring about inner conversion, it is useless. We forget that we can not be so good to God as well as being a wicked neighbour. You can not be asking God for liberation while you place people in chains. It is useless paying tithes in fat envelopes when you have not paid your workers. Do not put a curse on others if blessing is what you desire from God. Do not set fire everywhere if you desire peace from God. GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE. Almighty Father, give us grace to have an inner conversion through Christ Our Lord Amen. Good morning

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