7 March/Friday after Ash Wed.
Isa 58,1-9/Psa 51,3-4.5-6.18-19/Matt 9,14-15
Reflection
The command of God to the prophet Isaiah in the First Reading was to make known the rebellious character of Israel. The prophet focused on those who offered false worship to God. If we want to understand the question of the people to God in the First Reading, w eneed to go back to previous chapters of the Book of Isaiah. In the reading, the people ask: “Why should we fast if you never see it, why do penance if you never notice?” In the previous chapter (Isaiah 57), God ordered his agents to remove all obstacles from the way of his people. He revealed his will to heal his people and comfort them despite their wickedness. It therefore makes sense that the people ask why their salvation is still delayed. They do not see any reason in fasting any longer because God seems not to pay attention to their actions. In answer to the people, God decided to reveal what he considers the true meaning of fasting by asking a number of questions that are quite provocative in nature. While fasting, the people of Israel do business, they oppress their employees, they quarrel, and they maltreat the poor. In addition to these acts, they put up external signs like lying on sackcloth and in ashes to let people know they are fasting. God then asked the people to answer for themselves if they think such sort of fasting pleases him. Evidently, God is not pleased with such behaviour because it is hypocritical and not truly penitential. The penitential character of fasting explains the response of Jesus to the disciples of Johnbabout why his (Jesus’) disciples do not fast. His presence amongst them is salvific so they are not supposed to fast. They are rather to celebrate his presence that is life-giving.
In the First Reading today, God reveals the faithful response that is pleasing to him. The most appropriate way in which the people should live is by liberating those who are captives in their midst. They should be charitable to the hungry, the homeless and the destitute. By showing concern for these people who are the underprivileged of the society,
they show that they are truly doing the will of God. In short, it is a call to social justice. The admonition of the people of Israel by God continues to serve the same purpose in our society today. We also continue to question God’s actions in our midst when his ways do not fall in line with our expectations. We however fail to realise that we do not do what
he commands us in his word. We continue to oppress those who are powerless in our society and make life difficult for those under our authority. We fail to practice charity so that we can end hunger, destitution and extreme poverty. The challenges of social justice are on the increase in our society. Together with the Psalmist we should cry to God during this Lenten season saying: Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness. In your compassion blot out my offence. O wash me more and more from my guilt and cleanse me from my sin”.
The words of the prophet Isaiah remind us that it is only when we faithfully follow the commands of God that we can show our integrity of life. It is only then that the glory of God will shine for us and we can rejoice that the Lord is with us and we do not need to fast.
