March 2017
Gospel according to St. Matthew (Mt 6:16-18)
When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.””
Vincentian Reflection
Today we find ourselves halfway through Lent and the preparation we undertake every year at this time.
In the early Church, Christians practiced two distinct forms of fasting. There was the “total fast” that preceded all major feasts and sacramental events. This was called a “statio” fast; where statio is to stand watch, to be on guard. The statio fast was total and a means of watching and waiting. To this day we keep the statio fast on the Sabbath, prior to receiving Holy Eucharist.
The other fast was a fast of abstinence from specific foods such as meats or fats. This was and is primarily an exercise of self-discipline and self-control, a means to practice resistance to the urges and temptation of sin.
Either way, fasting is always preparatory. For Lent, this includes not only abstinence from meat on Fridays, but the individual sacrifice chosen for the duration of Lent. And as sincere fasting inevitably leads to urges and temptations – temptations we strive to resist – we learn how our faith and devotion strengthens us. Not just to emerge from Lent prepared and enlightened by our fast, but closer to and in more complete union with the Creator.
And as we all know, this is all in preparation to better celebrate the greatest gift – the gift of salvation received and renewed every year at Easter.
Amen.
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