Daily Readings - Fri Mar 04 2022
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 are invited to reflect on the true meaning of fasting and spirituality. The first reading from Isaiah challenges us to look beyond mere outward acts of fasting and instead focus on living a life of justice, compassion, and mercy. Isaiah critiques those who fast superficially, seeking only to fulfill a ritual without addressing the deeper needs of their souls or the injustices around them. He calls us to break the chains of oppression, to feed the hungry, and to clothe the naked, promising that such acts of love will bring us closer to God and restore our spiritual vitality.
In the Gospel, Jesus responds to the question about fasting by comparing himself to a groom at a wedding. While the groom is present, the time is for joy and celebration, not for mourning or fasting. Jesus is emphasizing that his presence among us is a time of grace and joy, and our focus should be on living in the light of his love rather than on strict observances. However, he also hints that there will come a time when fasting will be appropriate, when he is no longer physically with us.
These readings remind us that our spiritual practices, including fasting, must be rooted in love and a genuine relationship with God. Fasting is not just about abstaining from food; it is about abstaining from sin and injustice. It is about creating space in our hearts to hear God’s voice and to serve others. As we go about our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: Are our spiritual practices leading us to greater love and service? Are we using our time and resources to uplift those in need? Let us remember that true fasting is not just about what we give up, but about what we give—our time, our hearts, and our lives—to God and to others. May we strive to live in the joy of God’s presence while also embracing the call to justice and compassion.