Friday 19 February

Isaiah 58:1-9; Psalm 51:3-6, 18-19; Matthew 9:14-15

Fasting

Fasting is one of the Jewish traditional laws. The Pharisees are its faithful practitioners. A disciple of John asks, “Why do your followers not fast?” Jesus replied. “Why should they not eat while they are with me?” Fasting requires a right purpose. In our world today, fasting may be undertaken for health reasons or for spiritual ones. Perhaps it could be exercised to overcome our addictions, compulsions or obsessions. Matthew invites us to be filled with the Spirit of Jesus when we practise fasting in any form.