The empty heart is hallow

Looking at the picture of an empty, a person will realize that there's nothing in it. As one continues to observe the empty tomb, it will demonstrate the reality of the human heart hollow and empty. In the same way, most Catholics are surrounded with statues either at church or even at home. The statue within is also hollow and empty. One can knock at the statue and hear a gong noise resound. The same can be true when the person looks into the tomb and utters out some words that will form an echo. The heart can be shallow and empty whenever the bridegroom is not present. 

In the Gospel of Lk 5:33-39, "The scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, “The disciples of John the Baptist fast often and offer prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same; but yours eat and drink.” Jesus answered them, “Can you make the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days.” The Pharisees and the scribes were a group of religious men that were more concerned with the outer appearance instead of the heart of the person. They critiqued the disciples of Jesus of not praying or fasting on sabbath day, which was prohibited for anyone to work. However, this was not first time they question Jesus about fasting and praying. 

In the Gospel of Matthew, the disciples tell Jesus to teach them how to pray just like John taught his disciples. However, Jesus takes a different approach. He tells them not to pray like Pharisees, scribes, and others that like to be seen before the public. Moreover, he also tells them not to perform righteous deeds so that others can see them. He calls such people hypocrites because they only do such things to get approval before men and the public. Jesus' teaching is the contrary because he says to perform righteous deeds where your left hand does not know what your right hand is doing; to give alms not letting others know what you are giving; to pray in secret where no one is able to see or know what you are praying before the father. Praying and giving alms in secret is much pleasing to God because it takes away the focus of self.  In addition, Jesus gives a prayer to his disciples; a prayer that will focus on the Father and be offered up to the father instead of self-attention. (Mt.6)

 As for fasting, Jesus does not put down fasting. He encourages fasting in different manner. He tells his listeners not to imitate the hypocrites when they fast as to be seen by others appearing to be fasting. He says, “When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face" (Mt.6). Fasting must be done with a joyful spirit and a heart that is convicted on the power of fasting.  Isaiah 58 says, “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke,

to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungryand to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?" Jesus wants fasting to lead to acts that glory him by loving neighbor and not self. Because Isaiah also says, Then your light will break forth like the dawn,and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness^[a] will go before you,
    and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
⁹ Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
    you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.18so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.