The days of fasting in the Catholic Church are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. On other days we may fast as a sign of our personal devotion to God, or for a particular intention. The interior penance of the Christian can be expressed in many ways. Scriptures insist on fasting, prayer and almsgiving, which express conversion in relation to oneself, to God and to others. The Lord wants to purify our intentions. Do we fast just to fulfill an obligation? Fasting and abstinence help us to acquire mastery over our instincts. Ashes on the forehead is a sign, but a sign without sincerity is of little to no use. There is so much of hunger and poverty in the world . If we turn a blind eye to them, then our fasting will be of no use. In the Gospel we see Jesus teaching about fasting. When he is in us he will sustain us. Our sacrifices would then be done out of love. When we feel lost, let us enter into fasting and prayer to feel God’s presence more.

Abba Father, may I feel more of your presence in my life. Amen.