Daily Readings - Fri Feb 16 2024
Isaiah
1"Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet. Declare to my people their rebellion and to the house of Jacob their sins.2For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God. They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them.3'Why have we fasted,' they say, 'and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?'"Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers.4Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high.5Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself? Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed and for lying on sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD?6"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?7Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?8Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.9Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. "If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
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.