Daily Readings - Fri Feb 16 2024
Isaiah
1Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.2Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.3Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.4Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.5Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?6Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?7Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?8Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.9Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;
Matthew
14Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?15And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on the true meaning of fasting and its purpose in our spiritual lives. The prophet Isaiah challenges us to look beyond mere outward acts of fasting, such as abstaining from food or wearing sackcloth, and instead emphasizes the need for a deeper transformation of heart. He calls us to fast in a way that loosens the bonds of injustice, shares our resources with the hungry, and shelters the homeless. True fasting, Isaiah insists, is not about personal piety but about living out God’s justice and compassion in the world. In the Gospel, Jesus responds to a question about fasting by comparing Himself to a groom celebrating with His bride. He explains that as long as He is present with His disciples, it is a time for joy and feasting, not for mourning or fasting. However, He also hints that a time for fasting will come when He is no longer with them in the same way.
The connection between these readings lies in their focus on the heart’s disposition. Isaiah critiques a fasting that is self-serving or superficial, while Jesus emphasizes that fasting is not about outward rules but about the inner posture of the heart. Both readings remind us that our spiritual practices must be rooted in a genuine relationship with God and a commitment to living out His love and justice in the world. Fasting, in its truest sense, is not just about what we give up but about what we give—our time, resources, and compassion—to those in need.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: How are we fasting from selfishness, greed, or indifference? How are we using our resources to serve others and build a more just world? Jesus reminds us that His presence among us is a cause for joy, but this joy should inspire us to live with greater love and generosity. Let us embrace the kind of fasting that Isaiah describes—breaking chains, feeding the hungry, and caring for the vulnerable. In doing so, we will experience the light and healing that God promises, and we will live as true disciples of Christ, whose hearts are transformed and whose lives reflect His love.