The Light and Darkness

 

Jesus is the Real Light in Darkness 

PART XXXIX 

Lord, let us walk in Your Light and prevent darkness from our mind. 

  Luke 22:52–53 (NJB):  53 When I was among you in the Temple day after day you never made a move to lay hands on me. But this is your hour; this is the reign of darkness.’ We never know how the darkness comes in our life. As mentioned in ‘Lk 25: 15-16(NJB)Jesus himself came up and walked by their side16 but their eyes were prevented from reognising him. The same thing happened to the apostles as Jesus was proceeding for the crucifixion, they all were scattered or vanished form the vicinity and were hiding. But they were watching from far away by the fear of persecution and not having the fear of God or love of God. 

   Acts 2:20–21 (NJB): The sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the day of the Lord comes, that great and terrible Day. 21 And all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved. While addressing the crowd after Jesus' resurrection, Peter stated how each of us will spend our final days on earth; we have no idea about this. We may continue to believe that it will be years before Jesus returns, its our imagination and will not happen to be. Only we can envisage how our final day on Earth will be before we pass away in our mortal bodies. Our spirits will not experience death until we receive the gift of eternal life, a prize from our Lord! This is the last day of our judgment on the road to eternity. Let us pray that the darkness of this world does not blind our inner eyes, and that we do not fix our external eyes on the pleasures of this life. 

  The Lord is working here, His most magnificent miracle against the Egyptians and demonstrated to the people of Israel how great our God is. God desires to bring darkness to the entire country of Egypt, but only Israelites can have light wherever they live. In the passage of 1Peter 3:18–19 (NJB):  In the body he was put to death, in the spirit he was raised to life, 19 and, in the spirit, he went to preach to the spirits in prison. It represents how Jesus descended into the darkness of the perished souls in hell and preached the Gospel to the souls possessed by evil. Similarly, the Egyptians were in darkness, and God pushed them into a vast darkness that they had never encountered before.. Exodus 10:21–23 (NJB): Yahweh then said to Moses, ‘Stretch out your hand towards heaven, and let darkness, darkness so thick that it can be felt, cover Egypt.’ 22 So Moses stretched out his hand towards heaven, and for three days there was thick darkness over the whole of Egypt. 23 No one could see anyone else or move about for three days, but all the Israelites did have light where they were living.  

Jesus is Risen, A Journey to Emmaus

 

 Jesus is risen Alleluia      

Today is the day of victory, as Jesus has risen and vanquished the evil forces and sins of death. He gave light and life back to all of us. Jesus is risen. Aleluiah, Alleluiah, Alle...lu...iah.

  When Mary Magdalene and other female disciples reported to the apostles that they had seen Jesus the resurrected, they did not believe in his resurrection. They had doubts and couldn't believe it. The following verses are about the resurrection of Jesus. Luke 24:2–8 (NJB): They found that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb, 3 but on entering they could not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 As they stood there puzzled about this, two men in brilliant clothes suddenly appeared at their side. 5 Terrified, the women bowed their heads to the ground. But the two said to them, ‘Why look among the dead for someone who is alive? 6 He is not here; he has risen. Luke 24:9–11 (NJB): And they returned from the tomb and told all this to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 The women were Mary of Magdala, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James. And the other women with them also told the apostles, 11 but this story of theirs seemed pure nonsense, and they did not believe them. In the Gospel of John the apostle described about the encounter of Jesus with Mary Magdalene. Then she became the Apostle of the Apostles. John 20:11–18 (NJB): But Mary was standing outside near the tomb, weeping. Then, as she wept, she stooped to look inside, 12 and saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had been, one at the head, the other at the feet. 13 They said, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’The angel;s told her that Jesus has risen. ‘16 Jesus said, ‘Mary!’ She turned round then and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbuni!’—which means Master. 17 Jesus said to her, ‘Do not cling to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to the brothers, and tell them: I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ 18 So Mary of Magdala told the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord,’ and that he had said these things to her. 

  The poem below is based on Jesus' disciples' journey to Emmaus, as described in Luke 24:13-35. Here, Jesus clears the disciples' doubts about his resurrection by explaining all of the events and prophecies of the Prophets and the Psalms. After breaking the bread, they realized he was Jesus since he had given them the Eucharist on the table. After his resurrection, this is the first time he shared his Body and Blood since the Day of Passover (Maundy Thursday).

A Journey to Emmaus

Lord, while your disciples were walking to Emmaus, I was with them.

But I was not counted as your disciple.

Lord, we were talking about you on the way,

And you accompanied us in our journey.

 

You asked what we were talking about and our faces were downcast.

Unknowingly we said that 'you are the only one unaware about the happenings in Jerusalem.

About Jesus of Nazareth, who showed himself a prophet,

powerful in action and speech, before God and the whole people;'

 

Our chief priests and leaders sentenced him to death.

They crucified him mercilessly.

We hoped that he would be the one to set Israel free.

And this is not all: two whole days have now gone by, since it all happened;

 

Some women from our group astounded us:

They went to the tomb in the early morning,

They could not find the body and they came back to tell us;

That they had a vision of angels who declared he was alive.

 

Some of our friends went to the tomb.

They saw everything exactly as the women witnessed.

They could not see anything except the clothes which covered the body of Jesus.

This seemed unbelievable to us, we don't think he has been taken away or risen.

 

Jesus said, you foolish men, you are so slow to believe.

You don't understand what prophets have said about Jesus.

Wasn’t it inevitable for Christ to suffer before entering his glory?

I will walk you through the teachings of Moses and all the prophets.

Did Moses not tell you this: 'from among yourselves, from among your own brothers,

Yahweh your God will raise up a prophet like me; you will listen to him.

Again Lord said to Moses, what they have said is well said.

From their own brothers I shall raise up a prophet like yourself;

Contemplate the sufferings of Jesus, 'Lord Yahweh has given me a disciple’s tongue,

For me to know how to give a word of comfort to the weary.

Morning by morning he makes my ear alert to listen like a disciple.

Lord Yahweh has opened my ears and I have not resisted,

I have not turned away and I have offered my back to those who struck me,

My cheeks to those who plucked my beard;

I have not turned my face away from insult and spitting.

Lord Yahweh comes to my help, this is why insult has not touched me,

This is why I have set my face like flint and know that I shall not be put to shame.

He who grants me saving justice is near!

Who will bring a case against me?

Let us appear in court together! Who has a case against me?

Let him approach me! Look, Lord Yahweh is coming to my help!

Who dares condemn me?

Look at them, all falling apart like moth-eaten clothes!

Which of you fears Yahweh and listens to his servant’s voice?

Which of you walks in darkness and sees no light?

Let him trust in the name of Yahweh and lean on his God!"

 

Isaiah again prophesied about his passion and our salvation:

He had no form or charm to attract us, no beauty to win our hearts;

He was despised, the lowest of men, a man of sorrows,

Familiar with suffering, one from whom, as it were, we averted our gaze, despised,

For whom we had no regard.

 

Yet ours were the sufferings he was carrying

And struck with affliction by God;

whereas he was being wounded for our rebellions,

He was crushed because of our guilt;

The punishment reconciling us fell on him,

We have been healed by his bruises.

 

We had all gone astray like a flock of sheep, each taking its own way,

Yahweh brought the acts of rebellion of all of us to bear on him.

He was ill-treated and afflicted, he never opened his mouth,

Like a lamb led to the slaughter-house,

Like a sheep dumb before its shearers, he never opened his mouth.

Forcibly, after sentence, he was taken.

See men, Jesus will be risen as mentioned in book of Hosea, the second day he will give us life

The third day God will raise Jesus from the grave

This man, who was put into your power

By the deliberate intention and foreknowledge of God,

You took and had crucified and killed by men outside the Law.

But God raised him to life, freeing him from the pangs of Hades;

For it was impossible for him to be held in its power since,

David says of him: I kept the Lord before my sight always,

For with him at my right hand nothing can shake me.

So my heart rejoiced my tongue delighted; my body, too, will rest secure,

For you will not abandon me to Hades or allow your holy one to see corruption

Jesus is risen Aleluiah 

Continue in Part 2…………….

 

Mario(Mohny)Mathews

Community of Grace 

The Passion of Christ

 

Passion of Christ Part XVI

Maundy Thursday Reflection

‘Pray not to be put to the test.’ 

   Three significant events took place on Maundy Thursday in the Catholic Church. Br Aby spoke explicitly about these Sacraments last night at a small group for evening Rosary and Passover reflection. That evening, in Jerusalem's Upper Room, Jesus performed the washing of the feet, instituted the Eucharist, instituted the Priesthood, and established the New Covenant. 

   This morning, in our community (Community of Grace) we all reenacted Jesus' washing of the feet on the Feast of Passover. It was a great event to wash feet and share the Passover food as one family in Christ Jesus. 

  John 13:4–8 (NJB): and he got up from table, removed his outer garments and, taking a towel, wrapped it round his waist; 5 he then poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel he was wearing. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ 7 Jesus answered, ‘At the moment you do not know what I am doing, but later you will understand.’ 8 ‘Never!’ said Peter. ‘You shall never wash my feet.’Jesus became the most humble servant by performing the most lowly service a servant can perform: washing his master's feet at his house, where he was assigned to serve. He gave this example to his disciples and to all of us as a reminder of how a leader or servant should treat others.

    Luke 22:19–20 (NJB): Then he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ 20 He did the same with the cup after supper, and said, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood poured out for you. Jesus established the New Covenant by donating his own blood in the form of wine to the Apostles. We all attended the church celebration yesterday to receive the Eucharist, which is Jesus Christ's Body and Blood. The Eucharist was instituted during the Passover Supper ceremonies. But Jesus is obviously mentioned here because He shared His Body and Blood with us in order to create or qualify us for His eternal presence in this world. Receiving Holy Communion makes us one flesh and blood with Him for eternity. How wonderful it is, as Centurion remarked, as we pray and recite in the Holy Mass: "Lord, I am not worthy you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed."  St John Chrysostum says about the Holy Eucharist: ‘Do you understand, then, how Christ has united his bride to himself and what food he gives us all to eat? By one and the same food we are both brought into being and nourished. As a woman nourishes her child with her own blood and milk, so does Christ unceasingly nourish with his own blood those to whom he himself has given life.’

  Jesus knew who is going to betray him. Once it is happened everyone will know that he is ‘I am He’. This is same name God revealed to Moses met God first time.  Exodus 3:14 (NJB): God said to Moses, ‘I am he who is.’ And he said, ‘This is what you are to say to the Israelites, “I am has sent me to you.”  The name God gave to Moses was ‘ I Am He who is’ John 13:18–20 (NJB): 8 I am not speaking about all of you: I know the ones I have chosen; but what scripture says must be fulfilled: ‘He who shares my table takes advantage of me.19 I tell you this now, before it happens, so that when it does happen you may believe that I am He. 20 In all truth I tell you, whoever welcomes the one I send, welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me, welcomes the one who sent me.’ Jesus knew who is going to betray and he quote the verses from Psalm. He said that what the scripture says to be filfilled. Psalm 41:9 (NJB): Even my trusted friend on whom I relied who shared my table, takes advantage of me. 

   Luke 22:21–23 (NJB): But look, here with me on the table is the hand of the man who is betraying me. 22 The Son of man is indeed on the path which was decreed, but alas for that man by whom he is betrayed!’ 23 And they began to ask one another which of them it could be who was to do this. All of the apostles were unsure which one of them would betray Jesus. Jesus spoke about Judas' fate and accepted in his heart what would happen to him. 

   Luke 22:31–34 (NJB): Simon, Simon! Look, Satan has got his wish to sift you all like wheat; 32 but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail, and once you have recovered, you in your turn must strengthen your brothers.’ 33 ‘Lord,’ he answered, ‘I would be ready to go to prison with you, and to death.’ 34 Jesus replied, ‘I tell you, Peter, by the time the cock crows today you will have denied three times that you know me.’ Jesus was aware that Peter would deny him. Jesus understood that we were all weak in his absence. Jesus urged Peter to strengthen the disciples' to them increase their faith. Peter demonstrates his willingness to sacrifice his life for Jesus. However, he turned down Jesus three times in front of a large crowd. Before being crucified, Christ prayed ardently for his beloved apostles and all of the disciples. 

   Luke 22:39–46 (NJB): He then left to make his way as usual to the Mount of Olives, with the disciples following. 40 When he reached the place he said to them, ‘Pray not to be put to the test.’ 41 Then he withdrew from them, about a stone’s throw away, and knelt down and prayed. 42 ‘Father,’ he said, ‘if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, let your will be done, not mine.’ 43 Then an angel appeared to him, coming from heaven to give him strength. 44 In his anguish he prayed even more earnestly, and his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. 45 When he rose from prayer he went to the disciples and found them sleeping for sheer grief. 46 And he said to them, ‘Why are you asleep? Get up and pray not to be put to the test.’ Jesus was in great agony when he implored with God, "If You are willing, take this cup of suffering and death on the Cross away from me." But he never wants to go against God the Father, so he says, "Let His will be done." Here, you can meditate on Jesus' flawless obedience to the Father in Heaven. Jesus is instructing us to pray continually in order to avoid falling into sin against God. Jesus knew that temptations would be present in our lives, so he strengthened us. 

The Passion of Christ

Passion of Christ Part XV

“The Son of man is going to his fate, as the scriptures say”

  We could see how Jesus became everything to us. He kept nothing for himself, emptying himself to become a sacrifice for all humanity.Our Lord makes this sacrifice to demonstrate Heavenly Father's love for Israel, His own country, and the gentiles of the earth, who confess Jesus Christ as Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  5Make your own the mind of Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, did not count equality with God something to be grasped. 7But he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, becoming as human beings are; and being in every way like a human being, 8he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross. 9And for this God raised him high, and gave him the name which is above all other names; 10so that all beings in the heavens, on earth and in the underworld, should bend the knee at the name of Jesus 11and that every tongue should acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phili.2: 5-11(NJB) Even Jesus found equality with God, yet he never compromised it for the sake of all humanity's salvation, accepting death on the horrible cross. His rigorous act of humility removed the pride of wicked nature from all humanity and caused salivation in all nations on the planet. This way, through the Cross, Jesus will express and glorify his mission on earth by offering up his life on Calvary and defeating all evils on earth and in heaven. 

  Isaiah 42:1–4 (NJB): Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom my soul delights. I have sent my spirit upon him, he will bring fair judgement to the nations. 2 He does not cry out or raise his voice, his voice is not heard in the street; 3 he does not break the crushed reed or snuff the faltering wick. Faithfully he presents fair judgement; 4 he will not grow faint, he will not be crushed until he has established fair judgement on earth, and the coasts and islands are waiting for his instruction. Isiah prophesies through the Spirit of God of Christ's passion, the hardships and persecutions he must endure before fulfilling the most Holy Sacrifice on earth. The faithfulness of Jesus in his unshakeable mission that Heavenly Father entrusted in Jesus Christ for His chosen people and to do for all nations 

  Judas attempted to betray Jesus in order to make a profit from it. He asked the chief priests what he would receive when he handed over Jesus to them. They gave him 30 Shekhels as payment for his treason.  Matthew 26:14–16 (NJB): Then one of the Twelve, the man called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, ‘What are you prepared to give me if I hand him over to you?’ They paid him thirty silver pieces, 16 and from then onwards he began to look for an opportunity to betray him. The prophecy of Prophet Zachariah was fulfilled when Judas took the thirty Shekhels from the chief priests to betray Jesus. Judas was trying to get Jesus to betray him and give him over to the chief priests. Zech. 11:12–13 (NJB): I then said to them, ‘If you see fit, give me my wages; if not, never mind.’ So they weighed out my wages: thirty shekels of silver. 13 Yahweh said to me, ‘Throw it to the smelter, this princely sum at which they have valued me!’ Taking the thirty shekels of silver, I threw them into the Temple of Yahweh, for the smelter. 

   Matthew 26:21–26 (NJB): And while they were eating he said, ‘In truth I tell you, one of you is about to betray me.’ 22 They were greatly distressed and started asking him in turn, ‘Not me, Lord, surely?’ 23 He answered, ‘Someone who has dipped his hand into the dish with me will betray me. 24 The Son of man is going to his fate, as the scriptures say he will, but alas for that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! Better for that man if he had never been born!’ 25 Judas, who was to betray him, asked in his turn, ‘Not me, Rabbi, surely?’ Jesus answered, ‘It is you who say it.’ Jesus knew who would betray him, but he continued to love Judas. The agony he faced on earth was betrayal and rejection from his loved ones, as well as his apostles and disciples. This indifference caused him immense anguish, despite his most humble and gentle nature. He loved everyone, including his adversaries, and he had forgiven everyone. Lord Jesus, meek and humble of heart make our hearts like yours! 

The Passion of Christ

Passion of Christ Part XIV

Let us awake and prudent to meet our Lord in the watches of the night

   Even the disciples couldn't grasp the mystery of Jesus' death on the Cross and resurrection.  Peter started rebuking him. Jesus was telling them that he had to suffer and die on the crucifixion, and that on the third day he would be raised from the dead. Even St Peter was perplexed at first by the mystery of dying on the cross. Through Jesus' death and resurrection, the Father revealed to us that He is the Son of God and that we should believe in him. Jesus is encouraging us to meditate on the heavenly things and follow his commandments. We are to see things from a spiritual perspective rather than the way most people do. Jesus is very worried about us, and only he knows the depth of the salvation God has prepared for us. Mt 16:21-23 From then onwards Jesus began to make it clear to his disciples that he was destined to go to Jerusalem and suffer grievously at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes and to be put to death and to be raised up on the third day. 22 Then, taking him aside ‘Heaven preserve you, Lord,’ he said, ‘this must not happen to you.’ 23 But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my path, because you are thinking not as God thinks but as human beings do.’ The apostles and disciples accompanied him throughout his mission. First and foremost, He picked them to join him. Jesus is asking me and you how well we know him. Jesus mentioned his sacrifice multiple times in order for them to understand the mystery of salvation, as planned by the Heavenly Father. Before Jesus may fulfill his mission, he must first preach the Good News to the Israelites and all other nations.

  Being with Jesus is extremely vital. How Jesus will be with us always; we should be like those smart wedding attendants. The wedding attendants were very wise and stayed awake during the watches of the night, to greet the Divine Master. 1………….Where as the sensible ones, took flasks of oil as well as their lamps. 5The bridegroom was late, and they all grew drowsy and fell asleep. 6But at midnight there was a cry, "Look! The bridegroom! Go out and meet him." 7Then all those wedding attendants woke up and trimmed their lamps, 11The other attendants arrived later. “Lord, Lord,” they said, “open the door for us.” 12 But he replied, “In truth I tell you, I do not know you.” 13 So stay awake, because you do not know either the day or the hour. Matt.25: 1-13 The brides were went along with the Master, Jesus Christ.  Before the passion and death Jesus gave this parable to the apostles and his desciples. The intelligent women kept the lamps burning by filling them with oil until Jesus welcomed them to the wedding feast. The five sensible virgins turned on the lamps and followed our Lord to be with Him. We don't know when Jesus will return for the final judgment, but we will all have to face it. 

  When we are depressed or have doubts about our faith, recall Jesus' death on the Cross and pray fervently by looking at the Crucifix. We can see that out faith is restored by Jesus. So let us create a place for the Lord in our hearts and pray that he would allow us to be with him when the Last Day he arrives.

The passion of Christ

Passion of Christ Part XIII

Christ died for us while we are still sinners.

  Jesus died for us sinners, giving us the inheritance of God's Kingdom. God makes no distinction in selecting and choosing the most favorable in His view.  ‘When we were still helpless, at the appointed time, Christ died for the godless. You could hardly find anyone ready to die even for someone upright; though it is just possible that, for a really good person, someone might undertake to die. So it is proof of god’s own love for us that Christ died for us while we were still sinners. (Rom. 5: 6-8) He has demonstrated His never-ending unconditional love for us by offering Jesus' body as a live sacrifice to God. The Lord has showed us salvation through the measure of trust in Jesus Christ. We can't find someone who died for sinners or adversaries, but Jesus died for us despite our sins Romans 3:25–26 (NJB): God appointed him as a sacrifice for reconciliation, through faith, by the shedding of his blood, and so showed his justness; first for the past, when sins went unpunished because he held his hand; 26 and now again for the present age, to show how he is just and justifies everyone who has faith in Jesus. Jesus is seeking our unshakeable faith in him. He died so that we could reconcile with God. 

   Jesus died so that we could all be saved for eternity. Jesus transformed the disgrace of the Cross into a symbol of its exaltation by sacrificing his life on it. This way, Christ glorified the Father's love in our midst. 14 For the love of Christ overwhelms us when we consider that if one man died for all, then all have died; 15 his purpose in dying for all humanity was that those who live should live not any more for themselves, but for him who died and was raised to life. 2Cor 5:14-15.

  In the Bible, Jesus, the Son of God, is repeatedly mentioned by the Heavenly Father. LK. 3: 21-22, 21 Now it happened that when all the people had been baptised and while Jesus after his own baptism was at prayer, heaven opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in a physical form, like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, 'You are my Son; today have I fathered you.' Whether we were baptized as infants or as adults in the Church, we received the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

The Passion of Christ

 

Passion of Christ Part XII

Tear your hearts not your clothes 

   God relented because Moses pleaded to our Lord. In this lent season we should pray to our lord for forgiveness of our sins. Exodus 32:11–14 (NJB): Moses tried to pacify Yahweh his God. ‘Yahweh,’ he said, ‘why should your anger blaze at your people, whom you have brought out of Egypt by your great power and mighty hand? 12 Why should the Egyptians say, “He brought them out with evil intention, to slaughter them in the mountains and wipe them off the face of the earth?” Give up your burning wrath; relent over this disaster intended for your people. 13 Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to whom you swore by your very self and made this promise: “I shall make your offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven, and this whole country of which I have spoken, I shall give to your descendants, and it will be their heritage for ever.” ’ 14 Yahweh then relented over the disaster which he had intended to inflict on his people. 

   We are so blessed that the Church has given us many seasons and many holidays of obligations to remind us, how to worship our Lord, how we obey His commandments, how we believe in Him and His Eternal presence in Eucharist. Moreover many saints are remembered in the Church Calendar of Feast days. The examinations of our conscience is very important and test ourselves whether we are in His presence or not. Genesis 17:1 (NJB): When Abram was ninety-nine years old Yahweh appeared to him and said, ‘I am El Shaddai. Live in my presence, be perfect,  God asked Abraham to be in the presence of God. God relented when Jonah preached the Word of our Lord to the Ninevites. Jonah 3:4–10 (NJB): Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city and then proclaimed, ‘Only forty days more and Nineveh will be overthrown.’ 5 And the people of Nineveh believed in God; they proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least. 6 When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his robe, put on sackcloth and sat down in ashes. 7 He then had it proclaimed throughout Nineveh, by decree of the king and his nobles, as follows: ‘No person or animal, herd or flock, may eat anything; they may not graze, they may not drink any water. 8 All must put on sackcloth and call on God with all their might; and let everyone renounce his evil ways and violent behaviour. 9 Who knows? Perhaps God will change his mind and relent and renounce his burning wrath, so that we shall not perish.’ 10 God saw their efforts to renounce their evil ways. God relented about the disaster which he had threatened to bring on them, and did not bring it. Why because the people of Nineveh repented and the king proclaimed and declared fasting for forty days along with the citizens of the country. 

  We should tear heart or should have or deep repentance to overcome our misdeeds and sins. Cry to our Lord to get forgiveness for our sins. He will pour on us  His mercy and grace to believe in Him. Joel 2:13 (NJB): Tear your hearts and not your clothes, and come back to Yahweh your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, rich in faithful love, and he relents about inflicting disaster.