The True Fast

Here is a powerful passage from Isiah 58,

"This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: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.Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,and your wound shall quickly be healed;Your vindication shall go before you,and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer,you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am."

It led me to try something for Lent that I have been thinking about for a long time, to give up about 2-3 meals a week, and give the money that it would cost to the poor. There's 21 meals in a week, so a small sacrifice of 3 of them is not a big deal, just $15 dollars a week, is $60 for a month. Its small, but its the true fasting. Look at the promises that God gives for faithfulness to the poor, "you shall cry for help, and He will say, Here I am,". St. Vincent De Paul has a great saying, "Love the poor, and everyday will be a sunny day for you, and you will have no cause for fear at the hour of your death,".

This is the fasting that God seeks, to be mindful of the poor. Here are 2 great websites to give to; Catholic Relief Services, www.crs.org, and the St. Vincent De Paul Society, www.svdpusa.org.