SCRIPTURE: Matthew 6:16-18 – When you fast, do not look sober as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
COMMENTARY: Jesus gives us a couple of simple instructions on fasting here: don’t brag to anyone about it and look good while you’re doing it.
Fasting may sound scary or like something for only the super-spiritual, but it is for everyday people living their everyday lives looking for some extraordinary input from God himself. We all know how to fast. Students fast from sleep to pay extra attention to their studies as a test approaches. Many workers have fasted from a meal to finish the task or work at hand. You have probably fasted from sleep, a meal or something else to give special attention to someone or something.
This next week, what might you need to fast from in order to pay extra attention to what God has for you during Holy Week?
REFLECTION: Do you know anyone who fasts regularly? If you do, what are the benefits to this person? Have you fasted? What happened? What were the benefits? What obstacles did you encounter? Are there situations you have experienced recently in which it would have been good to spend more concentrated time with God to discern his will? Do you want to fast? Why or why not? If you do, how and when do you plan to do it? How will you make sure you do it in secret? What rewards do you hope God will give you?
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