Time-out is a means of disciplining a child for unacceptable, difficult behaviour. Parents have found time-out to be more effective than yelling or threatening to improve the behaviour of a child. For an example, if a child has a temper tantrum at a dinner table over what is there on the table while acting out with an aggressive behaviour towards others, parents will give the child a time-out; a short boring time away from others, from the table and from all that is enjoyable at dinner time. During the time-out when the child hears the joyful conversation, the sound of the silverware and the appetizing smell of all that is delightful on the table, the child realizes while being sorry what the child is truly missing bringing about a change, a conversion in mind and heart. In that environment of depravity or of “fast”, the child comes to realize what is truly good, godly and wholesome in life: relationships, company and fellowship.

Today is the first Friday after Ash Wednesday and we hear the constant call to fast. Fasting is for mending relationships, getting them right. In the Gospel today, in answer to the question about his disciples not fasting, our Lord says: “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.” Unlike for the disciples of Jesus’s day, we live at a time where the presence of our Lord Jesus is even less acknowledged. We look for his 2nd coming, waiting for reunion while being in need also of constant reunion with ourselves and fellow humankind. Fasting therefore is something necessary to be embraced.

In the first reading, God tells people of Isaiah’s time that their fasting is futile. It was solely to draw God’s attention to themselves. Fasting neither acknowledged their dependence on God nor His generosity to them. Their fasting failed to seek solidarity with the needy stirring a greater charity in imitating God’s generosity and care for all.

It is time that we took a time-out for a fruitful fast.

Prayer: Abba Father, help me this Lent to remember that my care for others is a measure of my greatness. Amen.