Daily Readings - Fri Feb 16 2018
Isaiah
1"Cry aloud; do not hold back; lift up your voice like a trumpet; declare to my people their transgression, to the house of Jacob their sins.2Yet they seek me daily and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that did righteousness and did not forsake the judgment of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments; they delight to draw near to God.3'Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?' Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers.4Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high.5Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the LORD?6"Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?7Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?8Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.9Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, 'Here I am.' If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
Matthew
14Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?"15And Jesus said to them, "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore the essence of true fasting and spirituality. Isaiah challenges the Israelites to look beyond mere rituals, emphasizing that genuine fasting involves caring for the hungry, the naked, and the oppressed. Jesus, in Matthew, explains that his presence is a time for joy, making fasting inappropriate, though he acknowledges it will have its time. Together, these passages highlight that spiritual practices should be heartfelt and lead to acts of love and service.
The context of Isaiah's message is a time when outward religious acts were prioritized over ethical living. Similarly, Jesus addresses a question about fasting practices, distinguishing his disciples' behavior and emphasizing the joy of his presence. Both readings stress that true spirituality is about more than rituals; it's about living justly and compassionately.
Applying this to our lives, we're reminded to ensure our spiritual practices are genuine. We should focus on helping others and living with integrity, rather than just going through the motions. The moral lesson is clear: true fasting and spirituality involve a commitment to serving others and living justly, reflecting the joy and presence of Christ in our lives.