Today’s Readings:
Isaiah 58:1-9
Psalm 51:3-6,18-19
Matthew 9:14-15
LENT IS A TIME OF FASTING. Fasting is an ancient practice of self-discipline and taming of our bodily cravings so that we are hooked on to the spiritual. The benefits of fasting include (but are not limited to):
To develop spiritual strength;
For strength to resist temptations;
For a spirit of humility;
To elicit sorrow for sins;
To enhance a spirit of prayer;
To obtain spiritual knowledge and guidance; and
Provide for the needy.
FASTING HAS THE CAPACITY to fix so many problems. The first thing it does is to open our eyes to our need for God. In response to those who asked why his disciples do not fast, Jesus says: ‘The time will come for the bridegroom to be taken away from them, and then they will fast.’ Fasting incites a longing for union with Christ our Lord. “With the Lord, there is mercy and fullness of redemption”. Our longing for God (our ultimate source of happiness) should be the main reason we fast.
FASTING BRIDGES, THE GAP in our relationship with God, the gap created by sin. Through fasting, we express sorrow for how by words, thoughts, deeds and omission, we have offended the Lover of our soul. So, we make the words of the Psalmist our own; “My offences truly I know them; My sin is always before me. Against you, you alone, have I sinned; what is evil in your sight I have done.” If your prayer is sincere, your fasting will be sincere, and God will bless you. FASTING ALSO EMPOWERS US to fix the problems in our lives. Top of the list of our problems is how we treat each other. The Nigerian musician ‘Lagbaja omo baba mukoko’ once sang, “Leader is wicked but common man is wickeder”. We all point to our leaders as our problem. But then we turn around and mete out untold hardship on one another. From POS operators, to fuel attendants, from bank staff to bus conductors, from the street hawker to the top management executive. We all oppress one another.
ISAIAH PROPHECIES that unless we stop inflicting hardship on each other, our prayers will never be answered by God. Your answered prayers depend on how you answer your neighbour’s plea for mercy: “Is not this the sort of fast that pleases me – it is the Lord who speaks – to break unjust fetters and undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke, to share your bread with the hungry, and shelter the homeless poor, to clothe the man you see to be naked and not turn from your own kin? Then will your light shine like the dawn and your wound be quickly healed over.”
FASTING DURING LENT is self-emptying to God and enriching those you meet so that we all are richer and better as a whole. May God give you the grace and courage to be part of the solution.
JUDE-MARY OWOH
Prayer:
Lord we praise you that there is nothing that is impossible for You.
Thank you because you are our God.
For You are holy, You are mighty, You are the light of the world, we adore your name, in Jesus name.
Lord, may our fasting this season open our minds to you and our eyes to the sufferings of our neighbour, in Jesus name.
Lord, visit our nations afresh and deliver us from oppressing wicked power, demonic mindset of servanthood and poverty, in Jesus name.
Father encourage our youths and young adults, give them the boldness to say NO, to peer pressure, in Jesus name.
Lord visit our nation with Your mercy and give us god-fearing leaders, in Jesus name.
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