Homily of friday after the ash wednesday. 20th february 2026
-By Rev. Fr. Achilleus ile Adole CSSp.
1st reading : Isaiah 58:1-9
Responsorial: Psalm 50:3-6,18-19
Gospel: Matthew 9:14-15
Many people think that fasting is all about avoiding foods and drinks. Though fasting includes not eating and drinking, it goes beyond that. It also has to do with the need to change our attitudes, our behaviours, and our disposition towards one another. Because many of us do not know this, we think that we only fast when we do not eat and drink. This was exactly the thought of the disciples of John the baptist as we saw in the gospel, that led them to ask Jesus why his disciples do not fast.
However, the first reading from the prophecy of Isaiah teaches us ideal fasting that pleases God. It is not just fasting from food and drink. It is fasting from pleasures of different kinds, from injustice, from oppression of the poor and the vulnerables, from quarreling, from fighting, and from wickedness.
According to the same first reading, fasting should be about setting people free from their burdens and oppressions, feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless and giving clothes to those who do not have. It is simple an act of showing care for those in need of our care.
As we continue on these forty days journey of returning to our God, let us focus on the things that pleases God, to make efforts to remove those attitudes in us that God does not like. And we pray that our fasting be acknowledged by God. Through Christ our Lord.
Peace be with you
