Word to the Wise
Friday, February 24, 2023 - Friday after Ash Wed.
[Isa 58:1-9a and Matt 9:14-15]Is this the manner of fasting I wish, of keeping a day of penance: that a man bow his head like a reed and like in sackcloth and ashes? Do you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own.....[Isaiah] The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?" [Matthew]
Fasting is a universal form of behavior with all kinds of purposes! Losing weight, self-punishment, preparation for an effort, helping others by donating the value of the things we deny ourselves - the list could go on. In Jesus' time, although fasting was required, strictly speaking, only on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), the Pharisees and some other groups like John the Baptist's followers (the Essenes?) made fasting a part of their regular spiritual observances. (I remember in my college days, the fasting of the Jewish students for Yom Kippur in the dorm where I lived!) Nowadays, I hear students speak of "fasting" from social media or certain types of events or even relationships!
Isaiah, in today's first scripture, speaks to an ethical fasting. The effort to meet the needs of those who are oppressed, hungry, naked, etc. may indeed require sacrifices on our part. Jesus points to the importance of motivation in fasting. [cf. Matt. 6:16-18]. In the church, fasting has a number of uses. There is the "eucharistic" fast from food an hour before receiving communion. There is the Lenten fast on Ash Wednesdays and the Fridays of Lent - which can vary from diocese to diocese, and there are many exceptions for age or medical reasons.
Lent is meant to prepare spiritually (and physically) for the celebration of the events of Holy Week. If fasting beyond the church requirements helps with this preparation, then it is a worthwhile spiritual practice. Common sense and good medical advice can help spiritual motives to remain healthy and accomplish the good that Isaiah and Jesus aim us at! AMEN