Homily for Friday after Ash Wednesday
Friday, March 7, 2025
Prince of Peace Catholic Church – 8:00 Mass
Isaiah 58:1-9a; Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 18-19; Matthew 9:14-15
Audio Recording
Today’s readings are all about fasting. The prophet Isaiah tells us that there is fasting that is acceptable to God and fasting that is not acceptable. Essentially, it comes down to whether or not we are fasting because we seek to truly discipline the desires of the flesh and, therefore, grow in our intimacy with God.
It’s easy for us to approach fasting by doing the absolute minimum required by the Church. In fact, for most of us here…those over the age of 59, we are not even required to fast on Ash Wednesday or Good Friday. And no one is REQUIRED to fast on the other days of Lent.
Many of us have taken on small sacrifices during this penitential season as a form of fasting, but if you’re anything like I used to be you might take full advantages of the “loopholes” provided by the Church to be able to indulge yourself on Solemnities. Maybe you look forward all week to having that piece of chocolate or ice cream on Sunday because a Solemnity is never a day of fasting. In years past I would give up beer for Lent, but not on Sundays!
This Lent I’d like to encourage you to think about fasting a little differently. Rather than giving up your favorite sweet or alcoholic beverage, maybe you should give up something that you won’t be thinking about indulging in on Sundays. Let me suggest a few things that I think are worthy to fast from.
Idle conversation – If you talk just to talk, or if you get together with people just to “fill a void” in your life then you need to step back and assess how this is helping you grow closer to God. What do you talk about? Do your conversations edify you or leave you empty? Do you run to God when you are lonely or do you run to people? Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with with social activities with friends, but keep in check the things you talk about. Talk about the good you see in others, rather than criticizing them. Which brings me to the next item…
Gossip – There is real danger in the gossip we spread about others. The kicker is when we Christians talk about others’ actions or words, and then pretend it’s not really gossip, because we end with, ” we should pray for them…” Nope, it’s still gossip.
Complaining – It may seem strange to think, but it is absolutely possible to be addicted to self-pity. We get some kind dopamine flood of satisfaction of people feeling sorry for us and knowing how “difficult” our situations are. Do you burden everyone else with your woes , or do you run to God with your woes rather than people?
Politics – We are in the midst of a highly contentious political environment right now. The disunity in our country between Democrats and Republicans is far greater than I’ve ever experienced in my lifetime. Rather than fueling the fire of this discontent, perhaps we should think about fasting from politics this Lent. Maybe we need to turn off CNN, Fox News, or social media and spend the time we save in prayer.
Spending Money – We don’t need everything we think we need, not even in the way of groceries. Clean out your pantry. Use the things you’ve been avoiding. Remove Amazon from your home screen. Get creative. Fix something instead of replacing it. Try the library instead of buying the book. Use that shopping time to do something you know you are supposed to do but you’ve been avoiding. Take some of the money you are not spending and give it to a worthy cause.
Declutter – Clean out your garage, your closet or your basement. Declutter your kitchen counter, your yard, your bookshelves, and the things you just keep having to pick up. Donate your excess to Nearly New or some other charitable organization. Question the value of your “collections”. Is what you have intentional, practical, and purposeful? Or is it just taking up space?
These are just a few ideas for fasting this Lent and are by no means conclusive. The important thing is that we do SOMETHING that denies our self-centered desires, thoughts and actions. Commit yourself to some type of fasting this Lent and you’ll be amazed at how transforming it will be.
God bless you.