Friday after Ash Wednesday
Why Fast?
Liturgical Cycle: A, B, C | Lectionary Cycle: I, II
Introduction
People in the Old Testament ask: “What is the use of fasting?” God seems not to be near when they fast. The prophet tells them that real fasting consists in justice and love. Since God made a covenant with his people, that covenant also encompasses justice and love between people. In the Gospel, the disciples of John, who fasted, were asking the disciples of Jesus why they didn’t fast. In the other parts of the Gospel, Jesus gives an answer similar to that of the prophet, but now he says that, because he has come and is with his disciples, they should rejoice rather than fast.
Opening Prayer
Lord of the Covenant,
We don’t have to fear your judgment
If, like you, we become rich in mercy
and full of compassion for our neighbour.
May we not only know that you ask us,
to practice with sincere hearts
sharing our food with the hungry
and to loosen the bonds of injustice,
that through us your light may shine
and your healing spread far and wide.
Be with us in your goodness.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Responsorial Psalm
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.
Alleluia Verse
Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!
Seek good and not evil so that you may live,
and the Lord will be with you.
Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!
Prayers of the Faithful
– For the Church that she be concerned that no one is trampled upon or exploited, we pray:
– For the leaders of nations, that they may bring justice to their people and care for the poor, we pray:
– For all of us, that we may have eyes, ears and hearts for people in need and those who try to hide that they are distressed and poverty-stricken, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
God of mercy and compassion,
you have invited us at the table of your Son,
that we may learn from him
to share our food and ourselves
with everyone in need.
Do not allow us ever to forget
how good you have been to us
and how you let Jesus raise us up
from our selfish greed.
Let his love grow and shine among us,
for he is our Lord for ever.
Prayer after Communion
Merciful God,
we are seeking you
and we want to be close to you.
Accept our thanks that you let us find you
in the lively, challenging word of Jesus
and in his presence among us
as our food and drink of life and joy.
Make us bring him especially
to people who suffer and are in need.
Let this be the way that we find healing and compassion,
through Christ, our Lord.
Blessing
Jesus wants to stay with us as the source of our life and our joy. May we recognize his presence among us in the weak and the victims of injustice. May God bless you for this task, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Our fasting should help feed the hungry.
John the Baptist had an ascetic life and perhaps followed the austere lifestyle of the Qumran community, which had its life in the desert, away from the contaminations of the outside world. They spent their time studying the scriptures, intensely preparing for the coming of the Messiah through rigorous disciplines of body and spirit by fasting and penance. Evidently, the Baptist’s followers picked up the lifestyle of their master. The Gospels have recorded that some disciples of John the Baptist later became the disciples of Jesus. Consequently, the disciples of both John the Baptist and Jesus must have been friends and knew what was happening in each camp.
Now the Baptist camp was apparently a little envious of the more relaxed lifestyle of Jesus’ disciples. Maybe there was even a bit of self-righteousness in this question, implying that it was high time for Jesus to make his followers shape up and follow the standard practices of such religious groups.
We should not forget that the Gospel of Matthew, which was written over 40 years after the death of Jesus, was trying to address specific issues that the Community of Matthew was facing. The Judaisers in the early Church were making life complicated for the young community of believers by introducing all the rules, regulations and traditions of the Jewish religion. Matthew wants to clarify to his community that fasting or other traditional religious practices have value but not at the expense of faith in Jesus and his teachings. He teaches us to be people of joy and – joy of being friends of the bridegroom – the friends of Jesus.
We tend to complicate what could be straightforward. Jesus taught us to love God and Love God’s people. Anything that goes against the commandment of love and charity is not from God. The prophet Micah puts it this way: “Do what is fair and just to your neighbour, be compassionate and loyal in your love.”
Matthew chose to address a more important point than the issue of fasting. His principal concern, however, was the life of the community during the period between the crucifixion of Jesus and the expected second coming of Jesus. Jesus – the bridegroom is absent in this era in which his community was living. The physical presence of Jesus - was no more there. This interim time would be one when disciples would, indeed, “hunger and thirst for justice” – a time of longing for the Kingdom of heaven.
Now, two thousand years have passed since the bridegroom has been taken away. And the world is under the grip of destruction of war. Millions of people are displaced and are forced to flee their land. Their fasting is imposed and unwanted, a stark reminder of the sin of the world. The Church calls on us to protect the displaced, the refugees, those on the streets.
Matthew 9:14-15
Time to Fast and Draw Closer to Christ
Today’s Gospel reminds us that fasting is more than just a practice—it is an invitation to draw closer to Jesus. The Pharisees question why Jesus’ disciples do not fast like others, and His response shifts our focus from mere external observances to the deeper meaning of fasting.
The passage begins with people approaching Jesus. But why do they seek Him? Do we come to Jesus only when we need something, or do we seek Him out of love? True discipleship means coming to Christ to know Him more deeply, to experience His love, and to remain with Him—not just to ask for favours.
Fasting is a spiritual discipline that teaches us detachment and freedom. It is not just about abstaining from food but about letting go of anything that controls us. Can we go a day without meat? Without our phone? Without unnecessary distractions? Fasting reminds us that nothing in this world should enslave us. It is a chance to focus less on ourselves and more on God, to live simply and intentionally.
Jesus describes Himself as the Bridegroom—the One who loves us beyond measure. He alone can satisfy the deepest hunger of our hearts. When we fast, we make space for Him. It is not just about giving something up; it is about gaining something greater—God’s presence, peace, and love.
As we journey through Lent, let us fast not just from food but from anything that distances us from God. Let us seek Christ not out of convenience but out of love, and allow Him to be our greatest treasure. Amen.