Monday March 10, 2025

Matthew 25:31-46

Then the King will say to those on his right hand, “Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take for your heritage the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food;

I hope you are having a great first week of lent. If I may ask, what did you give up? This is a holy time not only for us who observe lent but also for our Muslim friends who observe Ramadan. We are all wanting to turn our hearts to God. So what did you give up?

I was shocked when I read the instructions on fasting. As a young seminarian I thought God enjoyed seeing me hungry during this period. Obviously that is a sick image of God but it is one I had. The instructions on fasting state that “at the end of the fasting, you should count how much money you saved and give it to the poor..” Fasting is not an end to itself and no God does not want us to be miserable. God wants us to find him hidden in those less fortunate. In this beautiful passage Jesus says God is hidden in the hungry, the unclothed, the prisoners…

So if you can bring some dignity to those whom society has thrown away, that would bring you closer to God.

Love you

Fr. Chibundi