Fasting, Prayer, and Almsgiving: Avenues of Mercy
Somewhere just beyond the middle (section 17, to be exact) of Misericordiae Vultus, the Bull of Indiction for the Jubilee Year of Mercy, Pope Francis recommends that it is appropriate to meditate on the pages of Sacred Scripture during Lent in order to "help us rediscover the merciful face of the Father." It seems very appropriate to dive deeply into God's mercy during this season of mercy. This is the first article in a series of reflections on God's mercy as revealed on the Sacred Page, specifically in the lectionary readings during Lent.
The first days of Lent, before the first Sunday, provide clear signposts to the three-fold path by which disciples of the Lord can receive God's mercy, and by which they can be a part of extending His mercy to others. Look no further than the Gospel passage selected for Ash Wednesday. During His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches His listeners how to take up fasting, prayer, and almsgiving (the three pillars of traditional Jewish piety) in new ways that invites God's hidden recompense. These three are to be done without measure according to natural standards, and they are to be done with much joy.
While the richness of the Jesus' teaching in the Gospel from Ash Wednesday stands firm on its own, the other readings and surrounding days add new layers of texture and insight. For at least several days, those who read the daily Scripture passages are invited to learn more about how the Lord views and favors these pious practices. If a reader studies and prays these passages with an open heart, it is likely that she will come away with a transformed understanding.
It seems that a disciples approach to fasting will be challenged most. This is precisely because many people (including me) take a view of fasting that is all too narrow. How many of us only fast because it is required, or because we know that eventually the feast will come? The Lord reveals in Scripture, however, that His approach is altogether different. Sure, "Sharing your bread with the hungry..." (Is. 58:7) means having a little less for self. Yet, the reason for sharing is not for the sake of rules or anticipating a greater bounty of bread.
The reasons for fasting, as revealed by God, are two-fold. First, it facilitates interior conversion of heart (Joel 2:12). Giving up certain material comforts is a sign of one's desire for God over things; and it frees a person to focus on the Lord's movements in his life. This is exactly why fasting is an avenue by which a person can receive God's great mercy. Second, fasting "releasing those bound unjustly" and "setting free the oppressed" (Is. 58:6). These passages make clear that fasting facilitates almsgiving. Thus, fasting is also an avenue by which the mercy of God can reach and impact others.
Fasting, though, does not stand alone. In God's view, fasting must be coupled with prayer. In the first reading for Ash Wednesday, "fasting, and weeping, and mourning" are part of the Lord's call to His people. In addition to fasting, those who seek to return to right relationship with God call out, "Spare, O Lord, your people" (Joel 2:17). On Ash Wednesday, worshipers also recite the great penitential psalm that begs for God's mercy from a humble, contrite heart (Ps. 51). On Saturday of the same week, the responsorial psalm acknowledges the sinner's poverty, and again requests mercy that will "Gladden the soul of your servant" (Ps. 86:4). See how closely prayer and fasting are related. Humble prayer, from a contrite heart, is the only way that fasting can be effective until its completion, whether for forty days or for a lifetime.
If a person is willing to fast, and if fasting proceeds from a foundation of prayer, then it becomes dynamic and effective. Again, the prophet Isaiah reveals to us that the fasting that the Lord wishes is to give generously to others. "If you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; Then light shall rise for you in the darkness" (Is. 58:10). This is why the Gospel passage for Saturday after Ash Wednesday is especially powerful. In that passage, Levi (Matthew) leaves everything of his old life behind to follow Jesus. After his conversion, he "gave a great banquet" for tax collectors and others so that they might come to the Light of the World. Levi performed a spiritual work of mercy to help Jesus admonish the sinners and instruct the ignorant, both of which lead to transformation.
Shortly before He dealt with fasting, prayer, and almsgiving in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told His disciples, "You are the light of the world" (Mt. 5:14). His point was that these three pious practices make people ready to receive and reflect the light that only He gives. The brightest rays of that light shine through mercy. God's mercy is so bright that it transforms us and makes us bright. The bright light of God's mercy that shines into us soon also shines through us and shines into others. During this Lent, during this Year of Mercy, and for a whole lifetime, we ought to take up fasting, prayer, and almsgiving so that the avenues of mercy are wide. That way, we'll never miss out on mercy.
The first days of Lent, before the first Sunday, provide clear signposts to the three-fold path by which disciples of the Lord can receive God's mercy, and by which they can be a part of extending His mercy to others. Look no further than the Gospel passage selected for Ash Wednesday. During His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches His listeners how to take up fasting, prayer, and almsgiving (the three pillars of traditional Jewish piety) in new ways that invites God's hidden recompense. These three are to be done without measure according to natural standards, and they are to be done with much joy.
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| Carl Bloch, Sermon on the Mount (1876) |
It seems that a disciples approach to fasting will be challenged most. This is precisely because many people (including me) take a view of fasting that is all too narrow. How many of us only fast because it is required, or because we know that eventually the feast will come? The Lord reveals in Scripture, however, that His approach is altogether different. Sure, "Sharing your bread with the hungry..." (Is. 58:7) means having a little less for self. Yet, the reason for sharing is not for the sake of rules or anticipating a greater bounty of bread.
The reasons for fasting, as revealed by God, are two-fold. First, it facilitates interior conversion of heart (Joel 2:12). Giving up certain material comforts is a sign of one's desire for God over things; and it frees a person to focus on the Lord's movements in his life. This is exactly why fasting is an avenue by which a person can receive God's great mercy. Second, fasting "releasing those bound unjustly" and "setting free the oppressed" (Is. 58:6). These passages make clear that fasting facilitates almsgiving. Thus, fasting is also an avenue by which the mercy of God can reach and impact others.
Fasting, though, does not stand alone. In God's view, fasting must be coupled with prayer. In the first reading for Ash Wednesday, "fasting, and weeping, and mourning" are part of the Lord's call to His people. In addition to fasting, those who seek to return to right relationship with God call out, "Spare, O Lord, your people" (Joel 2:17). On Ash Wednesday, worshipers also recite the great penitential psalm that begs for God's mercy from a humble, contrite heart (Ps. 51). On Saturday of the same week, the responsorial psalm acknowledges the sinner's poverty, and again requests mercy that will "Gladden the soul of your servant" (Ps. 86:4). See how closely prayer and fasting are related. Humble prayer, from a contrite heart, is the only way that fasting can be effective until its completion, whether for forty days or for a lifetime.
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| Depiction of parable of the rich man and Lazarus (artist unknown) |
Shortly before He dealt with fasting, prayer, and almsgiving in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told His disciples, "You are the light of the world" (Mt. 5:14). His point was that these three pious practices make people ready to receive and reflect the light that only He gives. The brightest rays of that light shine through mercy. God's mercy is so bright that it transforms us and makes us bright. The bright light of God's mercy that shines into us soon also shines through us and shines into others. During this Lent, during this Year of Mercy, and for a whole lifetime, we ought to take up fasting, prayer, and almsgiving so that the avenues of mercy are wide. That way, we'll never miss out on mercy.
