REFLECTIONS TODAY

The only fast prescribed by the Torah of Moses was that of the Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement (Lv 16:31). Regular fasting became common in later Judaism when pious Jews fasted twice a week out of devotion. Some occasionally fasted out of grief. However some fasted for a reason, Jesus warns against this in the Gospel: to win the admiration of neighbors who would regard them as men of superior piety. 

This is manifested through obvious outside signs: exaggeration of traditional signs of fasting, like putting ashes on heads, or disfiguring one’s appearance. Jesus’ followers will fast, and Jesus teaches them why and how. They will fast in solidarity with him, the Bridegroom who will someday be taken away from them. Their fasting will not take another form of disguise. Still, joy—not fasting nor grief—is the mark of their discipleship. 

Jesus inaugurates a new relationship with God marked by the joy of salvation, akin to the joy of the wedding banquet. Do people fast nowadays? For what reason? What good does fasting do to our soul?

Gospel • Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 

Jesus said to his disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. 

“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”

Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.