First Reading: Is 58:1-9a;
Responsorial Psalm: 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 18-19 ;
Gospel: Mt 9:14-15;
And here's an audio file; and a video of a priest offering reflections.
First Reading: Is 58:1-9a
Thus says the Lord GOD:
Cry out full-throated and unsparingly,
lift up your voice like a trumpet blast;
Tell my people their wickedness,
and the house of Jacob their sins.
They seek me day after day,
and desire to know my ways,
Like a nation that has done what is just
and not abandoned the law of their God;
They ask me to declare what is due them,
pleased to gain access to God.
“Why do we fast, and you do not see it?
afflict ourselves, and you take no note of it?”
Lo, on your fast day you carry out your own pursuits,
and drive all your laborers.
Yes, your fast ends in quarreling and fighting,
striking with wicked claw.
Would that today you might fast
so as to make your voice heard on high!
Is this the manner of fasting I wish,
of keeping a day of penance:
That a man bow his head like a reed
and lie 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.
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your wound shall quickly be healed;
Your vindication shall go before you,
and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer,
you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am!
Responsorial Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 18-19
R. (19b) A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.
R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
For I acknowledge my offense,
and my sin is before me always:
“Against you only have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight.”
R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
For you are not pleased with sacrifices;
should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it.
My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;
a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
Gospel: Mt 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.”
OK - in the event you didn't think it was time to reflect, Isaiah kind of makes it clear, sure - now is a fine time. And it is. We all have work to do to become better people, and I am pretty sure God wants to help everyone become closer to Him, and to love God with all our hearts, minds and souls. So, why not ask for help? I am currently reading The Little Way by St. Thérèse of Lisieux and I remembered a great line where she says, ... for me, God is not harsh & judgmental, in truth, He loves us and He is very kind and gentle. Which indeed is true. (I am just remembering and paraphrasing, my apologies St. Thérèse, The Little Flower). But I also know that the Bible says many, many times - the beginning of wisdom is Fear of the Lord, so what gives? I think it just has to do with respect. SO - respect God, because He really does love you. Which reminds me of a Mother Teresa quote -
I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much.
