The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today exhort us to show our Lenten fasting in the actions that extend love and compassion, especially to people who are placed on the margins of our society.
The reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah describes authentic fasting that leads to blessing.
* [58:6–12] Fasting is not genuine without reforming one’s way of life. A true social morality will ensure prosperity.
* [58:13–14] Sabbath observance becomes a cornerstone of postexilic piety; cf. 56:2, 4, 6. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 58, n.d.)
Psalm 86 is a supplication for help against enemies.
* [Psalm 86] An individual lament. The psalmist, “poor and oppressed” (Ps 86:1), “devoted” (Ps 86:2), “your servant” (Ps 86:2, 4, 16), “rescued…from the depths of Sheol” (Ps 86:13), attacked by the ruthless (Ps 86:14), desires only God’s protection (Ps 86:1–7, 11–17). (Psalms, PSALM 86, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus calls Levi the tax collector.
* [5:28] Leaving everything behind: see note on Lk 5:11. (Luke, CHAPTER 5, n.d.)
Elvin Cardoso, S.J. shares a story that inspires and challenges us to reach out to the least, lost, and the last of society. The Gospel narrates how Jesus reaches out to Levi, the tax collector.
In the first reading, Isaiah encourages the people of God to reach out and share their resources with the poor and the needy. According to Isaiah, it is only when they are able to recognize the dignity of every individual, especially the vulnerable and the downtrodden, that God’s light will dawn on them.
Our society relies on the goodness of individuals touched by God's love to reach out to others in compassion. The question for us to consider in the light of the readings is, in what way are we going to reach out to those most in need of us today? (Cardoso, 2024)
Don Schwager quotes “Our All-powerful Physician,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 AD.
"Our wound is serious, but the Physician is all-powerful. Does it seem to you so small a mercy that, while you were living in evil and sinning, he did not take away your life, but brought you to belief and forgave your sins? What I suffer is serious, but I trust the Almighty. I would despair of my mortal wound if I had not found so great a Physician." (excerpt from Sermon 352, 3) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Isaiah 58:9-14 comments that we need to look at why we say the things we say. And that’s where Jesus comes in. He helps us look inside our hearts to see the root causes of our hurtful speech. Because that’s where a lot of it comes from. Our hurtful words also tend to arise from our own self-centered desires and our frustration that people aren’t treating us the way we think we deserve.
We often think that Lent is a time when we do things for God. But it’s also a time when God wants to do things for us. So ask him to help you put away unkind remarks and reactions. If you slip up, think about what may have caused you to act in that way. Then ask Jesus to heal you—and trust that he can.
“Jesus, heal my heart so that I speak only words of love, encouragement, and mercy.” (Meditation on Isaiah 58:9-14, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler underlines the theme in Isaiah that our fasting is about social justice and how our actions reflect our heart turned over to the Lord. The method of tax collection in the Roman occupation of Israel tended to encourage dishonesty and corruption. Friar Jude notes the sense of the Pharisees of sin as contagious, that may also be reflected in our practices today.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces spiritual writer Christine Valters Paintner who invites readers to become aware of the fire within.
We may find ourselves drawn to creative expression because it taps into what is most vital and alive in us. This burning in our blood seeks expression in the world, whether through art, song, cooking, gardening, our work, relationships, or in our presence to others. Becoming fire means saying yes to life by the very way we live….
Our internal fire maintains our body heat and keeps us alive. Take some time in prayer to get in touch with your body’s fire through your pulse and the beating of your heart. Rest your hand on your heart and find your heartbeat. Feel the warmth of your body rising up from your skin and give thanks for the gift of being alive. Go for a long walk, and pause every so often to experience the rising heat in your body and to feel your body’s pulse speeding up. (Rohr, 2024)
We seek the insight of the Spirit into the gifts and talents we have that can be used to bring healing, compassion, and mercy to people in our community.
References
Cardoso, E. (2024, February 17). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved February 17, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/021724.html
Isaiah, CHAPTER 58. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 17, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/58?9
Luke, CHAPTER 5. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 17, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/5?27
Meditation on Isaiah 58:9-14. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved February 17, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/02/17/897533/
Psalms, PSALM 86. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 17, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/86?1
Rohr, R. (2024, February 17). Mystics on Fire with Love: Weekly Summary — Center for Action and Contemplation. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved February 17, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/mystics-on-fire-with-love-weekly-summary/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 17, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=feb17
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