Daily Gospel Reflection for September 2, 2022

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Luke 5:33-39

The Pharisees and scribes were always trying to trap Jesus. More concerned with the letter than the spirit of God’s law, they were eager to point out the supposed faults and failings of Jesus and His followers. But Jesus came to bring a new covenant, one that would not be based on the rigid legalism of the old but rather on love.

Does this mean we are no longer called to fast? Not at all. As Jesus points out, the day will come when His followers will fast. We live in those days. Fasting can be a powerful form of prayer, whether we are eating less food or reducing the amount of time we spend on something we like to do (using social media or streaming videos, for example). We can offer up our sacrifice for those in need or for the souls in purgatory.

The Church has a wonderful rhythm of times of fasting and times of feasting. Each week, we are called to make a sacrifice on Fridays, whether that is giving up meat or some other penitential act. Each Sunday, we are invited to celebrate a mini-Easter. We have Lent (sacrifice) followed by Easter (celebration). We have Advent (sacrifice) followed by Christmas (celebration). Living liturgically allows us to fully enter into these rhythms, to both sacrifice for God and for others and to celebrate the joy in Christ’s coming.

Ponder:

What sacrifice can you make today to offer to the Lord?

Pray:

Dear Lord, please accept the fasting that I offer as a form of prayer. Help me to fast as a means of showing my love for You and for others.

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Living liturgically allows us to both sacrifice for God and for others and to celebrate the joy in Christ’s coming. #dailygospel

Copyright 2022 Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur