September 2, 2022/ Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel: Luke 5:33-39
Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus answered the people’s question about fasting: Why His disciples do not fast, and John the Baptist’s disciples fast often? He said, “the wedding guests can’t fast while the bridegroom is with them. But, later, the bridegroom will be taken from them; and they will fast in those days.”
Fasting and prayer are powerful tools in the process of purification of the soul and body. They aid us to discipline ourselves and assist us better to focus and attain our goals. Every time we fast and pray, we strengthen our spirituality and conform to God. We strengthen ourselves to fight against evil.
The reason why Jesus’ disciples do not fast is that He is with them. He will be the one to protect them from the evil one. But, as Jesus said, later when HE is taken from them, they will become vulnerable, and then, is the time that they will fast.
Prayer
Abba, help us always in our purification. May we be faithful in our fasting and prayer. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son, who lives with You in the Unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.