When we give alms to those in need, or in any kind of affliction, we are exercising our love and compassion for our neighbors. Fasting above all must bear the stamp of our repentance and grief for having strayed from God, and to denote our desire to return to Him. Let us then reaffirm the true meaning and value of our fasting, and place the fast among those worthy things that we have the obligation to respect. Let us also at the same time repent, but not superficially or affectedly, or only with words. This kind of fasting and confession is a mockery and a self-deception.
Christian confession is indeed the therapy of the soul.
Let us therefore take advantage of these forty-eight days of fasting that our Church offers us as a means of gaining eternity. May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you to wage the good fight of Great Lent with soul-searching, and prayerful repentance after sincere confession.