February 20 - Fasting

"... you fast only to quarrel and to fight ..."

Isaiah 58:4

Fasting.  Why would we fast? Why should we fast?

I had a friend who one year decided to give up Coffee for Lent! On the surface this seemed to be a great Idea.  He always had a cup of coffee in his hand. He had a coffee make in his bedroom. (This was long before the single serve Tassimo or K-Cup machines!) When he went for a drive - he always stopped at Tim Hortons.  So as I say - on the face of it - this was an impressive personal sacrifice.

Well I have to say - that was a most miserable Lent for both my friend - and for all of us who came in contact with him! He was irritable, and often uncharitable. and this impacted all of us.  He would not want to stop at a Tim's location for us - who had not given up Coffee.  At meetings that he organized - there was no coffee served... you get the idea... 
Something like the first reading from todays Mass. 

Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day, and oppress all your workers. Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to strike with a wicked fist.

Yet the Lord desires a different kind of Fast.  A transformative Fast. A Fast that will lead us to realize our need for mercy and grace from our Father - who desires Justice. Justice is us living in right relationship with each other - and the whole of creation.

Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?

Peace