In these opening days of the Lenten season, the scriptures present us today with a situation that might not be so far from our own lived reality. The disciples of John approached Jesus and asked: 'Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast? (Mt 9:14). This question is asked out of curiosity, for it was the custom of the time to fast as a sign of one's piety and desire to come close to God.
Fasting is still part of the Church's tradition today. This ancient spiritual practice helps us to distance ourselves from the noise of everyday life: the clatter that is constantly ringing in our ears to the point that we no longer even recognize its presence. Once we have distanced ourselves from the noise, we can begin to listen more attentively for the voice of God. This was the point that Jesus wanted to make with those who asked the question: Can the wedding guests mourn while the bridegroom is with them? (Mt 9:15). In other words, Jesus' disciples were spending time in the presence of God: something that we all long to do. There was no need for them to fast in order to get close to him.
Unlike those privileged few, we must make it our diligent care in these first days of Lent to identify the noises that keep us from listening for the voice of God, and we must be courageous about taking steps to silence those noises as much as we can. Only then will we be able to devote our attention to the still, small voice that is calling out to us.
Have a great day.
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