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The Gospel Proclamation
...”And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Prayerful Awareness
Today is Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting and abstinence in the Catholic Church. The priest applies ash on our forehead today. It reminds us of what God told Adam and Eve when they were found to have disobeyed Him, that they are dust and will return to dust. This is our fate as well. Accordingly, our present life is quite temporary. It is a probationary period for us to qualify for our permanent life in our Heavenly Father’s house. We are therefore invited to reflect on this aspect of life and our own sinfulness, in prayer and fasting. The above Gospel proclamation gives us the guide lines for this fast. We are asked not to look gloomy like the hypocrites who put on a gloomy look to be noticed by the others that they are fasting. Thereby they win the respect of the people and not please God. But on the contrary, when we fast, if we do it in such a manner that we may not appear to be fasting except to our Father in heaven, who sees it in secret will accept it and compensate us fittingly.
Psalm 50:14,15 says “Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving and pay your vows to the Most High. Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” During the Second World War, Sri Lanka had to face the threat of being bombed by the Japanese. Rt. Rev. Cardinal Thomas Cooray who headed the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka at that time, declared a penitent period and Catholics all over the country had special prayers and did acts of penance for the safety of our country and the people. In fact the Japanese Air Force planes bombed a few places like Trincomalee, Colombo harbour and the mental hospital. But they were driven away before they could do any destruction in the country. The Basilica at Ragama is built as an act of gratitude for God’s intervention through our Blessed Mother’s mediation.
Prayer Starter
There is somewhat a different, but again a grave situation in Sri Lanka. After a prolonged civil war that came to an end in May 2009, both sides have suffered heavily. North and East have suffered loss of life, livelihood and destruction of property. South too has suffered, loss of life including that of national leaders. The whole country has suffered economically heavy losses. Going from bad to worse, our main foreign exchange earner, the garment industry is facing collapse resulting in a few hundred thousand people losing their jobs. Our Arch Bishop, Rt. Rev. Malcolm Ranjith too took the correct step to mediate internationally. But still the matter is in the balance, undecided. Like in the Second World War, this is again a time for the Christians to go to the Lord our God on behalf of the Nation. He says through prophet Joel, “Even now return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, weeping and mourning. Rend your hearts and not your garments and return to me, for I am graceful and merciful, slow to anger and rich in kindness and relenting in punishment. Let us pray.
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