Living by God’s Word, Not Bread Alone – Dec 30 – Homily – Fr Matthias

 

Fr Matthias gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Dec 30, 2025, explaining how fasting, as shown by the prophetess Anna, is an act of worship and spiritual discipline, drawing on Scripture to highlight its role in detaching from earthly pleasures to pursue God's will.

In his homily, Father shares that the prophetess Anna worshipped through constant fasting and prayer, showing us that fasting is a way to stay close to God, to be alert and waiting for Him. Even after the Christmas octave ends, Father encourages us to bring fasting back into our lives because it helps our souls grow stronger. He wonders why we skip good things like food, but God teaches that sometimes we need to let go of the okay stuff to grab onto the best—His will. From the start in Genesis, God told Adam not to eat from one tree, making fasting part of paradise. Jesus says we don't live on bread alone but on God's words, and His own food was doing the Father's will. Father says true fasting tames our weakened desires from original sin, like St. John talks about, and it's a workout for our spirit that builds us up. As believers aiming for holiness, fasting clears space for God's nourishing plan in our lives.

Genesis 2:16-17 - Adam's first fasting command - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/genesis/2?16
Luke 2:36-38 - Anna's temple fasting worship - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/2?36
Matthew 4:4 - Not by bread alone - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/4?4
John 4:34 - Doing Father's will food - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/4?34
Catechism of the Catholic Church - Christian fasting purpose - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c2a4.htm#IV

Ave Maria!

Mass: 6th Day in Octave of Christmas - Wkdy
Readings:  - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/123025.cfm
1st: 1jo 2:12-17
Resp: psa 96:7-10
Gsp: luk 2:36-40

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1312

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