Friday of Lent 4

DAY 27: March 19, 2021 Friday of Lent 4- Matthew 6: 16-18

And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. – Matthew 6:16-18   

In our American culture of consumerism the list the things we spend and splurge grows, so it seems, each year. We can convince ourselves that we “got such a great deal” that we can become quite myopic in our thinking. A man all wrapped up in himself becomes a very small package. 

Lent is a time of self-sacrifice and fasting. It’s a time of going without so that we can focus on the needs of others and reach out especially to those in need.     For the past number of years our parish has partnered with Pack Away Hunger to raise funds and pack meals for relief agencies and food pantries in our community to touch the lives of those in need. 

Jesus has told us, “The poor you will always have with you.” –Matthew 26:11 We hold this event annually the weekend before Holy Week to remember and recall the words of our Savior, “as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”  -Matthew 25:40

Our fasting- going without while at the same time extending ourselves for the sake of someone else -is not a work of righteousness to be witnessed by men. It is a penitential reverence for the Word of God as the one thing that is needful for us (Luke 10:42) is for us to come, to receive the very Bread of Life—Christ and Him crucified, for the forgiveness of sins.

Yes, true fasting is a matter of preparing and presenting ourselves to the Lord as empty vessels ready to receive His body and blood for the forgiveness of our sins and then for us to go forward to serve our neighbor in faith and love. 

Merciful Father, may the penance of our Lenten observance make us your obedient people. May the love within us be seen in what we do and lead us to the joy of Easter. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen [2]

Father, our source of life, you know our weakness. May we reach out with joy to grasp your hand and walk more readily in your ways. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen [3]

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[1]  Sacrament of the Altar copyright © Ed Riojas Higher Things

[2] Collect for Thursday of the week of Lent 4, For All the Saints A Prayer Book For and By the Church Vol. 1 © 1994 American Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

[3] Collect for Friday of the week of Lent 4, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church Vol. 1 © 1994 American Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY