Name: Sr. Patricia Evanick, D.C.’97GEd
Title: Campus Minister for Faith Formation and Leadership
Department/College: Campus Ministry
Scripture of the Day: IS 58: 1-9A; MT 9: 14-15
In today’s reading, Isaiah tells us, “is not the fast I choose to loosen the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?” This reading focuses on fasting; God wants works of justice and compassion connected with my days of fasting.
Fasting makes sense if it questions my experience of comfort, and if it leads to some act of charity in helping others. Fasting invites us to choose a way of life that does not waste—a way of life that does not throw away. God invites me to attune my heart to the essential, to awareness and responsibility in the face of injustice and abuse. This applies especially to the plight of the poor, the marginalized, and those who are unseen.
For me this is an invitation from God to reflect on those in my life and in the world who are in need of my compassion. Who suffers from injustice? Who are the oppressed? Practically speaking, it is an invitation to fast from gossip, ignorance, jealousy, impatience, prejudice, and not speaking up when I should.
I believe God asks me to grow deeper in awareness in charity toward others, especially to those in need.
God, help me see how fasting brings me closer to you through others, how hunger brings me closer to those lacking food, how letting go of some comforts of life brings me closer to those lacking the basic necessities. I pray to have eyes that see the best in others, and to have a heart to forgive the worst, a mind to forget the bad, and a soul that seeks new faith in you, Oh, God.
Read more reflections from Come Back to Me: Lenten Reflections from St. John’s University.