Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Saturday after Ash Wednesday, February 21st, 2026

Delivered by Thia Santos from Church of Divine Mercy Shah Alam, in the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Isaiah 58: 9b-14; Rs psalm 86: 1-2.3-4.5-6; Luke 5: 27-32.FASTING FOR RENEWAL The title for ourmeditation today is: Fasting for Renewal. Yesterday we were illuminated inmeditation that our fasting in Lent is done through charity and prayer. Theseare the ways we fast. Then the next thing that is very important is the fruitor result of fasting. What do you get after fasting? Today we contemplate thatby fasting people will experience a renewal of life. The prophet Isaiahsaid that those who stop distressing and hurting their fellows, then turn to dogood and do charity for their fellowmen, the renewal that they eventually getis that God pleases them. God will guide them always. God will satisfy all theirinterests that they may find happiness and peace in their lives. This renewalrelates to the growth of their spiritual life, where their relationship withGod is in unity and love. The basis is that they do all of God's own works.Their deeds are the expression of the Lord's deeds.  What Isaiah haddescribed really illustrates the experiences of those who were the first eyewitnesses, who were living and working with Jesus Christ. All of us as membersof the Church today in our different situations, have this experience,especially during Lent. We want to strengthen and bind ever stronger ourrelationship with God, that we may become more united with Him. The conditionis to persevere in faith and being good disciples of the Lord like theapostles. Repentance is a kindof renewal of life that has a strong impact on a person or community. This isshown in those who leave their old life in darkness of sin and choose a newlife in God. Through fasting, which is the experience of meeting and livingtogether with God, the power of the Lord can change one's path of life. Thisexperience was shown by Levi, the tax collector who met Jesus and then invitedJesus to eat at his house. The tax collector later became one of the 12apostles of Jesus. If fast during Lenthas not shown signs of repentance within you and your family or community,entering the first week of Lent can be a good opportunity for you to plan wellyour Lenten observances and implement them personally or together. That planmust be concrete which eventually brings you to conversion and again unitedwith Jesus. Let's pray. In the name of the Father... O God of mercy, enlighten the way of our personal and common journey inthis Lent, so that we walk in Your marvelous light for our repentance. Glory tothe Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father...