A GREEDY MAN'S FAST IS A WASTE OF TIME AND ENERGY

 

Friday, February 24, 2023
FRIDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY

First Reading. Isaiah 58: 1-9
Psalm. 51: 3-6; 18-19 (R.19bc)
Gospel. Matthew 9: 14-15

TOPIC FOR REFLECTION

IF YOU ARE A GREEDY PERSON, DO NOT BOTHER TO FAST. IT IS A WASTED EFFORT.

My dear, the Ogapatapata of greed is wickedness

If you are a greedy person, you have the tendency of becoming wicked if care is not taken.
A greedy person will always want to accumulate more material wealth than needed, and once such desire could not be achieved; such a person will be ready to destroy or kill anybody whom he sees as a stumbling block not achieving his or her evil desire. Cf. James 4:4.

Selfishness is the grandparent of greediness, while greed is the parent of wickedness, and wickedness gives birth to backbiting, character assassination, slandering oppression, suppression, theft, and all kinds of vices one could ever imagine.

I guess someone might say I am too ash with my today's topic reflection, well, I invite you to travel and reflect with me what prophet Isaiah said in today's first reading.

Shall we?
Are you ready to travel on the reflective journey with me?
Common, let us go...

GOD SPEAKS: Thus says the Lord God:
“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up your voice like a trumpet; declare to my people their transgression, to the house of Jacob their sins. Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways as if they were a nation that did righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments, and they delight to draw near to God. ‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?

MY REFLECTION: God sent the prophet Isaiah to the Israelites who were trying to accuse God of not responding to their plea, they were trying to justify themselves. But, God is God. No one can deceive Him. God made known to them their deceptive life.
Now, let us continue to hear how God responded to them.

GOD SPEAKS:
’Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice be heard on high.

MY REFLECTION: Did you hear what God said of those who are greedy and wicked, that their evil act made their prayers not to be answered before Him?
He (God) asked further...

GOD QUERIED THEM AS FOLLOWS:
Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a man to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a rush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the Lord?

GOD MADE KNOWN THE TYPE OF FAST HE DESIRED:
This is the type of fast I desired: to lose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke. To share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide from your own flesh. It is then that your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, Here I am.

My dear, welcome back from the reflective journey, I guess you may not need anybody to interpret it for you.

The summary of it all is that, if any of us is greedy, we will certainly have the tendency of subtle wickedness in us.
So, if any of us is greedy, let us try not to only fast from food, as it's a waste of time, but rather fast from your wicked, greedy, and evil act, and in this Lenten period, be more charitable than ever before.

With this charitable nature in mind, be rest assured that your prayers are already with God in His seat of mercy.

Peace ✌️ be with you.

Rev. Fr. Segun Oladeji, CRS.

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