Throughout the Gospels the Lord is consistently criticizing the religious practices of the Pharisees. On Ash Wednesday, the Lord challenged the prayer, fasting, and almsgiving of the Pharisees. They love to pray in order get attention and appear to be pious, all the while their hearts are far from God. They take on a gloomy disposition that they may appear to be fasting. They make a big public spectacle about their almsgiving, that they may appear to be generous.
But the Lord criticizes this purely external and self-serving form of religion. Christians on the other hand are seek to please God in our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, by not just completing these activities, but doing so with the right spirit, the right intention and motivations. We aren’t simply to seek the appearance of holiness, for God sees to the heart. We are to engage in prayer, fasting, and almsgiving out of true love for God and love of neighbor.
In his criticisms of Pharisaical religion, the Lord echoed the Old Testament prophets, like Isaiah in our reading today. Isaiah denounced the Jews of his day who fasted but whose lack of love for God and neighbor could be evidenced in how they treated people: in their quarrelling, fighting, mistreatment of servants, failure to heed the call of the starving.
In the passage from Isaiah 58 today criticizes the people's outward displays of religious observance, such as fasting, while their hearts and actions are far from God.
Neither the Lord, nor the prophets are saying, don’t fast. But when you fast, when, you pray, when you give alms, you need to align your heart with God’s. God desires sincere repentance and genuine change of sinful behavior. Mere rituals, like fasting, are insufficient if they are not accompanied by a transformation of heart and a commitment to justice and righteousness.
Isaiah challenges individuals to take responsibility for the well-being of those around them. This includes not exploiting laborers, sharing resources with the needy, and actively working towards breaking the chains of injustice.
And for those who align their hearts with God’s who engage in true fasting, righteous living, and true charity, Isaiah promises God’s blessings. And these blessings include healing, divine guidance, and the Lord's responsiveness to their cries for help.
What perfect readings for the beginning of Lent. God desires not empty show. But a life of justice, compassion, and genuine repentance. God transforms are hearts when we live in alignment with God's values and displaying genuine care for the well-being of others. May this Lent bring us true transformation of heart for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.
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For the whole Christian people, that in this sacred Lenten season, they may be more abundantly nourished by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
For the whole world, that in lasting tranquility and peace our days may truly become the acceptable time of grace and salvation.
For sinners and those who neglect right religion, that in this time of reconciliation they may return wholeheartedly to Christ.
For ourselves, that God may at last stir up in our hearts aversion for our sins and conviction for the Gospel.
For our teachers on this special day of Lenten retreat, for their sanctification and renewal in their teaching vocation.
For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.
Grant, we pray, O Lord, that your people may turn to you with all their heart, so that whatever they dare to ask in fitting prayer they may receive by your mercy. Through Christ Our Lord.
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