Lenten Reflection Day 2 ~ Thursday after Ash Wednesday

Opening Prayers:

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, and Confiteor (see Day 1 for full text of prayers).

Scripture Reading (Isaiah 58:6-7,9):

“Is not this rather the fast that I have chosen? Loose the bands of wickedness, undo the bundles that oppress… Break every yoke. Deal thy bread to the hungry, and bring the needy and the harborless into thy house… Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall hear: thou shalt cry, and He shall say, ‘Here I am.’”

Reflection:

After embracing the spirit of repentance on Ash Wednesday, we continue our Lenten journey by learning how God wants us to fast. Through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord teaches that the purpose of fasting is not merely depriving ourselves of food but breaking the chains of sin and practicing charity. Fasting is meant to humble us and open our hearts to both God and neighbor. As St. John Chrysostom vividly preached: “Do you fast? Prove it by your works. If you see someone hungry, show mercy! If you see someone in need, help them. Let not only your mouth fast, but also your eyes, ears, feet and hands… What good is it to abstain from meat, but to devour your brother by evil deeds?”. In other words, true fasting goes hand in hand with love of neighbor and personal holiness.

Today’s scripture from Isaiah makes this clear. The people of Israel had been fasting in a merely external way but continued to quarrel and oppress others. God corrected them, saying the fast He desires is to “loose the bonds of wickedness” and to practice works of mercy. Feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked – these acts of charity please God immensely, and they also purify our own souls. The Lord promises that if we fast and love rightly, “then you shall call and the Lord shall hear… you shall cry and He shall say, ‘Here I am.’” Notice how fasting and charity make our prayer powerful and effective; they dispose us to receive God’s presence and guidance readily.

Let us examine our own approach to fasting. Are we simply “giving up” something as a token gesture, or are we striving to redirect our savings and energy toward good? Perhaps you have chosen to forego certain foods, entertainment, or habits this Lent – that is good. But consider also “offering up” those sacrifices for a particular intention: for the conversion of a loved one, for the souls in Purgatory, or in reparation for sins (your own and others’). In doing so, your fasting becomes fruitful for others, not just yourself. Additionally, try to channel the material benefits of your fasting (time or money saved) into an act of almsgiving. For example, if you skip a meal or an expensive coffee, could you give the cost of it to the poor or to your parish charity box? This way your fast becomes an act of love.

The Church’s tradition also emphasizes that fasting is closely tied to self-mastery. St. Thomas Aquinas taught that fasting serves “to bridle the lusts of the flesh, to raise the mind to heavenly things, and to satisfy for sin”. By denying our bodily appetite for a time, we strengthen our will to resist temptation, and we atone for past excesses. “If you can discipline your stomach, you can discipline your passions,” the saints often say. This inner discipline brings freedom. “I chastise my body and bring it into subjection,” wrote St. Paul (1 Corinthians 9:27). We imitate him by small mortifications: maybe taking lesser portions of food, or not seasoning our meal, or foregoing salt and sweets. These are hidden sacrifices known to God alone, which make our souls supple and obedient to grace.

Yet, as Isaiah warns, fasting while harboring anger or injustice is futile. We should also “loose the bonds” of resentment and forgive others. Is there someone we hold a grudge against? Lent is the time to let go and forgive from the heart, thus breaking an even more grievous yoke – the yoke of unforgiveness – which can bind our soul. Christ says that if we are offering our gift at the altar and recall our brother has something against us, we should first reconcile with our brother, then come offer our gift (Matthew 5:23-24). So too with fasting: first reconcile, then your offering will please God.

Today, let us resolve that our fasting (and any penance we practice) will be accompanied by an increase in kindness and generosity. Perhaps we can perform one extra act of charity or kindness today in a spirit of Lenten love. Even a kind word or a sincere prayer for someone in need is precious. St. Thérèse of Lisieux urged us: “Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice… always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love.” A smile when we don’t feel like it, patience when annoyed, helping someone when it’s inconvenient – these “little fasts” from our selfishness are highly pleasing to God. They transform fasting from a duty into joy, because it becomes an expression of love.

Consider also the spiritual benefits Isaiah promises: “Then shall thy light break forth as the morning” (Is 58:8). When we fast rightly, we experience spiritual renewal – a sort of dawn in the soul – and God’s guidance: “The Lord will guide thee continually” (Is 58:11). Many saints testify that times of fasting brought them clarity in prayer and intimacy with God. Our Lord Himself, after fasting forty days, was ministered to by angels and began His public mission filled with the Holy Spirit’s power (Luke 4:1-14). We should expect that our faithful, humble fast – however small – will draw down graces and heavenly assistance in our lives.

Saintly Insight:

St. Basil the Great, who said: “Fasting is the weapon of protection against demons. Our guardian angels more readily stay with those who have cleansed their souls through fasting.” Remarkable! When we fast in the manner God desires (with humility, charity, and prayer), we are spiritually armoring ourselves and even encouraging angelic help. No wonder Jesus taught that some spiritual evils “cannot be driven out except by prayer and fasting” (cf. Mark 9:29).

Let us then embrace fasting with faith, focusing not just on what we deny ourselves but also on what we give of ourselves. By fasting from sin and self-indulgence and feasting on love and mercy, we fulfill the very heart of Lent. Jesus, who fasted for us, help us to fast in a way that is pleasing to You – freeing us from vice and making us instruments of Your peace and charity.

Closing Prayers:

V: O Lord, hear my prayer.

R: And let my cry come unto Thee.

V: Let us bless the Lord.

R: Thanks be to God.

V: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

R: Amen.