January 18, 2021
Monday for Second Week of Ordinary Time
Readings for Today
Listen for English
“The people wey come wedding fit do fasting when the bridegroom still dey with them? As long as the bridegroom dey with them, dem no fit do fasting. But time go come when dem go take the bridegroom away from them, and na that day dem go do fasting. Mark 2:19–20
The passage above show how Jesus answer the disciples of John the Baptist and some Pharisees wey ask Jesus question about fasting. Dem point out say the disciples of John and the Pharisees dey follow the Jewish laws about fasting, but Jesus’ disciples no dey follow them. Jesus’ answer touch the main meaning of the new law about fasting.
Fasting na wonderful spiritual practice. E dey help strengthen our will to resist temptations from bodily desires wey no dey in order, and e dey help make our soul pure. But we need to make am clear say fasting no be something wey go last forever. One day, when we dey face-to-face with God for Heaven, we no go need to do fasting or any kind of penance again. But while we still dey this world, we go struggle, fall and lose our way, and one of the best spiritual practices wey fit help us return to Christ na prayer and fasting together.
Fasting become necessary “when dem take the bridegroom away.” This one mean say fasting dey necessary when we sin and our union with Christ begin weaken. Na that time the personal sacrifice wey fasting involve dey help open our hearts to our Lord again. This one dey especially true when sin don become habit wey don get deep root inside us. Fasting dey give our prayer plenty strength and dey help our souls grow, so that we fit receive the “new wine” of God’s grace for where we need am pass.
Today, reflect on how you dey approach fasting and other practices of penance. You dey do fasting? You dey make sacrifices regularly to strengthen your will and help you turn more fully to Christ? Abi you don neglect this spiritual practice wey dey help your soul for your life somehow? Renew your commitment to this holy effort today, and God go work with power for your life.
Lord, I open my heart to the new wine of grace wey You want pour on me. Help me make my heart ready well to receive this grace, and help me use every necessary means to open myself more to You. Help me especially to commit myself to the wonderful spiritual practice of fasting. Make this act of self-denial for my life bear plenty fruit for Your Kingdom. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Main image above: Jesus and His Disciples for the Sea of Galilee by Carl Oesterley
