Friday after Ash Wednesday

 

What kind of Fast? Is. 58:1-9

When people think of fasting

They sometimes think of not eating between meals

Or giving up something like chocolate.

Or no meat on Fridays.

The people of Israel fasted from food and did penance

but the Lord would not listen to their prayers.

Why?

Because that was not the kind of Fast God wanted.

What good does it do if we fast from food and others go hungry?

What good does it do if we wear sackcloth and others go naked?

What good does it do if we pray to God and then turn our back on our neighbor?

Our fasting must feed the hungry

And our penance must break down the walls that divide us.

If we want God to hear our prayer.