Another member of the family teased us, suggesting that we should be fasting now that Lent has started.
I'm enjoying Delia's Lent notes. On Friday she began with a passage from Isaiah 58 which reminded me of true "fasting" I looked up the passage in The Message
This is the kind of fast day I'm after
To break the chains of injustice
Get rid of exploitation in the workplace
Free the oppressed
Cancel debts
What I'm interested I seeing you do is
Sharing your food with the hungry
Inviting the homeless poor into your homes
Putting clothes on the shivering ill clad
Being available to your own families
Do this and the lights will turn on
Your lives will turn around
... Righteousness will pave your way
... The God of glory will secure you
... When you pray, God will answer.
Delia says that Lenten fasting should help us break free from those things that enslave us [bad habits, attitudes etc] but also should be a time when we help other to be freed from the things that enslave them.
I love the fact that Isaiah lists activities which make for social justice - but also "being available to your own families". Don't be so busy doing good for strangers that you neglect your nearest and dearest!
That's an interesting take on fasting!
ReplyDeleteI wondered how you would think about this, Bless. Considering "almsgiving" as fasting from spending on self in order to give to other...
DeleteA very wise warning to be available for your own families. I sometimes have terrible pangs of guilt about the amount of my life I gave to my job. Catriona
ReplyDeleteRecognising the problem and trying to use time wisely is a good start.
DeleteIt is always a danger that we become so busy helping others that our family can suffer. Wise words.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree
DeleteThis is challenging on lots of levels isn't it.
ReplyDeleteAchievable with God's grace 🙏
Alison in Wales x
Amen to that
DeleteWise words, indeed and loved the Isaiah 58 from The Message.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
👍❤️
DeleteI like the line about being available to our own families. After all, we are the only ones that are closest to them and should be aware of their needs.
ReplyDelete❤️😊❤️
ReplyDelete