Second Friday of Advent

Jesus said to the crowds: “To what shall I compare this generation? It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance, we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is vindicated by her works.”

Wisdom is an important virtue to build up in our lives. When we have it, we know when to fast and when to feast. We do not mourn the loss of those things that keep us from doing God’s Will, nor do we feast upon those things which weigh us down with sin. Instead, we fast in order to purify ourselves of our attachments to worldly things and we feast to celebrate the graces God has given us to overcome our trials. Fasting is something that many do not understand the need for, but it is imperative that we cultivate the ability to fast and offer up all our sacrifices to God for the reparation of sins, the conversion of sinners, and the salvation of souls. Feasting is also important because we should be thankful for all the goods we have been given by God. And in the spirit of graciousness, we should be willing to share all our gifts with our fellow children of God.

Do we know when to fast? Do we know when to feast? Are we cultivating the wisdom we need to live gracious and fruitful lives?

O Lord, grant us the wisdom to know when to fast and when to feast.

Amen.