Fasting with Purpose

~~~ Isaiah 58:1-9A ~~~ Psalm 51 ~~~ Matthew 9:14-15 ~~~ 

Would that today you might fast

so as to make your voice heard on high!

During Lent we choose fasting as one way to a keep this time 

set apart from our usual spiritual practices.

Fasting by itself can inspire us to focus on things 

our soul longs for

as our body reacts to less food.

Fasting is not a reason to be nasty to others 

just because you are hungry.

If fasting does not lead you to experience 

the depravity of others

it is practiced in vain.

God would never ask us to fast for the sake of fasting.

Fasting is to put us into solidarity with those who are suffering.

Now is the acceptable time...

The acceptable time to make your voice heard on high.

Make your voice heard not because you are fasting, 

but because you are...

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.

Now is the time to fast from all selfishness.

Now is the time to give something to the DSF fund.

Now is the time to give to your faith community.

Now is the time to be an active part of the living Body of Christ.

Fasting is personal there is no need to advertise you're starving.

But there is reason to distribute food to the poor.

There is reason to donate your extra clothes...to clothe the naked.

There is reason to support your local Habitat for Humanity.

Jesus went into the desert to fast for forty days

 in preparation for his active ministry to the poor.

Jesus ministered to the poor everywhere he walked...

Some were physically poor, 

some were mentally poor, many were spiritually poor.

His fasting prepared him for the mission of saving us.

Before Jesus died on the cross for us we were all spiritually poor.

Our souls may never have found the way back to the goodness of God.

This Lent remember that whatever you do for the least

you also do for Jesus.

If this does not change your attitude 

probably nothing will.

Let your fasting lead you to the Spiritual 

and Corporal Works of Mercy

...so as to make your voice heard on high!

Fasting with a Purpose.

Blessings when you are hungry.

~~~Peace~~~