FASTING OF THE SPIRIT

This year, Lent began on the 3rd day of the Lunar New Year. Catholics in Hong Kong were dispensed from fasting on Ash Wednesday. "However they are obliged to choose for themselves some other suitable forms of penance or perform some works of charity, in keeping with the penitential spirit of the season of Lent." (Chancery Notices III, 18 January, 2016) So, we fast spiritually. Of course, just as the first reading of today says, performing fasting rituals void of spirit is useless (Isaiah 58:3b-5) Even in Isaiah's time, God made it clear that He wants social justice more than fasting rituals. 

Then, is social justice the spirit of fasting? No, much more than social justice. The violence erupted in Mongkok on the first night of the Lunar New Year clearly shows that evil can be perpetrated in the name of social justice. The ends does not justify the means. On that night in Mongkok, prudence was nowhere to be found, not among the protesters, not among the police. The causes of "fishball revolution" are complicated and many. But one thing is clear. Many frustrated young people in Hong Kong are marginalized and angry. Things can be and have to be done to alleviate the problem. However, the administration seem to have lost touch with the people. Or do they lack the will to improve the situation? Or are they blind to the plights of the citizens? No matter how many excuses we may grant them, one thing is clear. Hearts must change in order to effect social changes. 

Fasting weakens our body for a while but it strengthens our spirit because we need a strong spirit to endure the hunger. But nowadays, our spirit is being bombarded by far too many distractions from the media and the Internet. We need to be choosy spiritually as well. 
As for myself, my relationship with my mother can turn stormy sometimes and last night, I nearly exploded when she kept nagging me. I begged the Lord to help me and He mercifully granted. I need to go deeper inwards to dig up the root. So, help me Lord. Amen.