Every day of Lent, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a Scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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In the first reading at Mass today, (Is 58:1-9) God makes us think about the notion of fasting. We probably don’t fast as much as we should, and the Church only requires fasting two times a year for those who are of a certain age. But we can do more than the minimal requirements of the Church.
So, if we fast – and eat simple meals during the day, we should remind ourselves about the fast that God really wants from us. He wants us to fast from sin. He wants us to fast from injustice. He wants us to fast from pride.
God also wants our fasting from food to give us the ability to give more to others. Give more bread to the hungry. More drink to the thirsty. More shelter to the homeless. More alms to the poor from the money we save by not spending it on ourselves.
Consider fasting more than two times a year as a way to move closer to God. And, when your stomach rumbles for lacking the food that you are accustomed to receiving every day, use it as a sign to fast from something more significant, like sinful habits. And use the grumbling stomach to remind you to do something with the excesses you have, whether food, money, time or talent – and then give it away, trusting that God will multiply what you have given out of love. May your temporarily empty stomach remind you of the emptiness that many people experience every day – and say a prayer for those who have much less than you do and could benefit from your generosity.