First Reading: (Isaiah 58:1–9)
Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 51)
"Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned".
Alleluia:
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
Seek good and not evil, so that you may live,
and the Lord will be with you.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
Gospel: (Matthew 9:14–15)
Reflection:
The mass readings reflects on the true meaning of Lenten fasting. The lesson drawn is that Lenten sacrifices should not become burdens placed on others, but should transform the heart. We shouldn't just fast because everyone is doing it or the Church asked us to.
The prophet Isaiah reminds us that fasting is not about outward displays of suffering but about conversion expressed through love: freeing the oppressed, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and caring for those in need. Lenten practices are meant to move us away from self-focus and toward deeper union with God.
Fasting is not meant to be spiritual performance or quiet self-pity, but a path to freedom, freedom from disordered attachments, from ego, and from the illusion that worldly comforts bring lasting happiness. Prayer, almsgiving, and sacrifice help us recognize Christ present in the Eucharist, in prayer, and in the poor.
When practiced with sincerity, Lent reshapes our relationship with both God and the world. It prepares us to rejoice authentically at Easter, having learned to desire not merely earthly satisfactions but the enduring joy found in communion with the Bridegroom.
Amen
Have a blessed weekend.
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