TRANSFORMATION THROUGH FASTING

Prayer before Mass: Almighty and ever-living God, I approach the sacrament of Your only-begotten Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. I come sick to the doctor of life, unclean to the fountain of mercy, blind to the radiance of eternal light, and poor and needy to the Lord of heaven and earth. Lord, in Your great generosity, heal my sickness, wash away my defilement, enlighten my blindness, enrich my poverty, and clothe my nakedness. May I receive the Bread of Angels, the King of kings and Lord of lords, with humble reverence, with the purity and faith, the repentance and love, and the determined purpose that will help  to bring me to salvation. 

May I receive the sacrament of the Lord’s Body and Blood, and its reality and power. Kind God, may I receive the Body of Your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, born from the womb of the Virgin Mary, and so be received into His mystical body and numbered among His members.

Loving Father, as on my earthly pilgrimage I now receive Your beloved Son under the veil of a  sacrament, may I one day see Him face to face in glory, who lives and reigns with You forever. Amen. By Knights of the Holy Eucharist. Readings Lectures  Homily 

First Reading      Isaiah 58:1-9 

Thus says the Lord:  Shout for all you are worth, raise your voice like a trumpet. Proclaim their faults to my people, their sins to the House of Jacob.  They seek me day after day, they long to know my ways, like a nation that wants to act with integrity and not ignore the law of its God. They ask me for law that are just, they long for God to draw near: 'Why should we fast if you never see it, why do penance if you never notice?' Look, you do business on your fast days, you oppress all your workmen look, you quarrel and squabble when you fast and strike the poor man with your fist.

Fasting like yours today will never make your voice heard on high. Is that the sort of fast that pleases me, a truly penitential day for men?  Hanging your head like a reed, lying down on sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call fasting, a day acceptable to the Lord?

Is not this sort of fast that please me, it is the Lord who speak, to break unjust fetters and undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke, to share your bread with the hungry, and shelter the homeless poor, to clothe the man you see to be naked, and not turn from your own kin? Then will your light shine like the dawn and your wound be quickly healed over.

Your integrity  will go before you and the glory of the Lord behind you. Cry, and the Lord will answer; call, and he will say, 'I am here.'

Responsorial Psalm

A humbled, contrite heart, O God, you will not spurn

Gospel         Matthew 9:14-15

When the bridegroom is taken from them, then they will fast

John’s disciples came to Jesus and said, ‘Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?’ Jesus replied, ‘Surely the bridegroom’s attendants would never think of mourning as long as the bridegroom is still with them? But the time will come for the bridegroom to be taken away from them, and then they will fast.’

Father transform me. Give me your Holy Spirit. Forgive me for the times I have not obey for your command.  It is true Father, that when I am fasting I lack charity. Sometimes I forget I am fasting, I will quarrel with my friends, brothers and sisters. Sometimes I am unable to control my anger, the same mouth I use in praying and praising you, I will abuse my fellow creatures.

Father thank you for giving me another opportunity during this Season of Lent.  In the book of Isaiah 58:1-9, I see my faults, forgive me Father, help me Father,  transform me, let your light shine through me that my light may shine so that my healing is complete.  Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me. Jesus my Saviour thank you for loving me I trust in you.

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