Thank you for this gift of first Friday in March, a Friday after Ash Wednesday as we begin our 40 day journey of Lent; forgive us, dear God our Father, that gone are the days when we your children religiously observed fasting and abstinence; we have ceased fasting not only on the prescribed days of Ash Wednesday and Good Friday but even before receiving the Holy Communion in the Sunday Mass, making all kinds of excuses with bold claims of having sacrificed so much in doing "good deeds" that we need not fast from food anymore.
Make us realize these are the same mistakes of the people in the Old Testament of having themselves as the focus of fasting than you, O God, through others: “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!” (Isaiah 58:3-4)
In this age of affluence even in the midst of a pandemic, make us realize, Lord Jesus your mystery of Incarnation through "kenosis" - of self-emptying which is what fasting is all about. Teach us not to be always adequate, not to be too self-sufficient that we forget the value of being empty and in need of others and most especially of you; let us rediscover this Lent the beauty of denying ourselves of things that give us pleasures and comfort that we forget you and others; may we realize that it is only in emptiness through fasting that you can fill us with yourself, almighty God; it is only in emptiness through fasting we can learn to truly trust and believe in you, dear Lord, as our only strength and sustenance.
Surprise us, O Lord, of the many benefits of self-denial, primary of which is becoming better persons without us really knowing it and most of all, unconsciously becoming your very presence among other people: “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!” (Isaiah 58:9).
How wonderful it is when eventually we become your presence, O God, speaking through us, saying, “Here I am”! for it is only then your Son Jesus is indeed the groom celebrating with us. Amen.
