How do you fast? Some people eat less, some avoid certain types of food or drink for a period of time, some do not eat anything for a period of time. But can you tell whether a person is fasting? For some, fasting is a real pain and they put on a "sour face" or "monkey face" to show that they are fasting. Some look listless or seem to have no energy while fasting. How many of us fast cheerfully and discreetly?
Today's reading tells us about the type of fasting the Lord expects of us: "to break unjust fetters and undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke, to share your bread with the hungry, and shelter the homeless poor, to clothe the man you see to be naked and not turn from your own kin?" If we fast to put on a show, then what is the point of fasting? Also, if we fast but treat others badly, how different are we compared to others? Let us learn to fast happily and with compassion towards others, so that "your light shine like the dawn and your wound be quickly healed over. Your integrity will go before you and the glory of the Lord behind you."
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