A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 9:14-15
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.”
REFLECTION: "The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”
What is fasting? Have we offered too much deprivation and feel stranded and trapped in an icy sea of ice? Has our Lent become an endurance test for survival? Will we be able to successfully complete these 40 days when day 3 is starting to have us wonder if we are again going to fail?
Patiently and slowly taking up the crosses we have offered and the crosses God provides for us, may we experience the fasting of some people who have no food, no car, no love of God, no home, no freedom from their illnesses, their incapacities, their grief and their loneliness.
Instead of focusing just on what we have the freedom to give up, may we focus on deeds of love for one another, the less fortunate. We fast to get closer to God, but we must also help others become aware of the love God has for them. Always thanking God for everything, hoping not to take for granted all that has been given to us, may we, this Lent, share with others our gifts, our talents but most of all giving our love to them. Whether or not we are in our own shipwreck, stranded alone and lonely, we can meet others in theirs and lend a helping hand.
St John of the Cross wrote, " At the evening of life, we shall be judged on our love". (Dichos, # 64) *
Through love of our priests and in thanksgiving to God for them, may we offer the daily praying of Prayer for Priests.
*United States Catholic Catechism for Adults*
God Bless You
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