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March 8, 2019
This, rather, is the fasting that I wish:
releasing those bound unjustly,
untying the thongs of the yoke;
Setting free the oppressed,
breaking every yoke;
Sharing your bread with the hungry,
sheltering the oppressed and the homeless;
Clothing the naked when you see them,
and not turning your back on your own.
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your wound shall quickly be healed;
Your vindication shall go before you,
and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer,
you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am!
Each year, before Ash Wednesday, we would have a family discussion on "What are you going to give up for Lent?" Only once did I try suggesting I would give up liver! My Mom’s look told me that wouldn't 'fly' in our household! I had to negotiate in my mind what would be an appropriately generous response and what would be 'too much' for such a long season!
Today, Isaiah challenges us to look at our hearts and the needs of the world. The sacrifice pleasing to God is one that moves our hearts to compassion by responding to the needs of others. Those needs are not unfamiliar to us. Jesus echoed Isaiah by calling us to feed the hungry; clothe the naked; shelter the homeless. Each year Catholic Relief Services (CRS) distributes Rice Bowls inviting us to offer our contributions in response to needs both locally and around the world. They also incorporate Pope Francis’ call to encounter our brothers and sisters in many of the countries where CRS ministers in our name.
Perhaps this Lent our generosity might also include Pope Francis’ challenge to a culture of encounter locally. Perhaps, this Lent, we might offer a "fasting of our time" by working in a food pantry, a soup kitchen, visiting a nursing home, or getting involved in prison ministry. Perhaps this Lent our 'fasting' might have a transformative impact on us, an impact that will stay long beyond the 40 days. "Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed...Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer....and God will say: Here I am!"