A. Opening Song [if done with others]
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth you Spirit and they shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth.
O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
C. Reading of the Day:
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| Image from vocationdiary.com |
The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”
D. Period of Silence: Personal integration of the reading
E. Reflection on the Reading: What is God’s message for you today?
Today's Sharing:
Fasting is an important manifestation of repentance, of being sorry for sins, and of surrendering to the will of God. The Pharisees and the disciples of John the Baptizer performed fasting, the former due to the requirements of the Law while the latter because of the teaching of John. More about the issue on fasting can be learned from the commentary of St John Chrysostom.
However, fasting should not be abused to the point of forgetting its true meaning and purpose. It should never become a goal in itself. It should not become a mere challenge - not just for the record books, not a mere test to be performed in a reality show, not even a talent to be performed by a candidate in a pageant. Fasting is not an end in itself but just a means to achieve the all important goal of becoming closer to God, of attaining perfection like the Father, and of accomplishing the will of our Creator.
F. Application of the Message
- What are the things that you wish to ask the Father in prayer today which will help you to perform true fasting or abstinence?
- What are you are willing to abstain from today so that you could conduct fasting in its pure form?
- What are you willing to share materially today as an expression of true fasting or abstinence and not as mere compliance?
G. Praying the Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
H. Closing Prayer: Here you say your personal thanksgiving to the Father for today’s message
i. Closing Song [if done with others]
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