In the eyes of God our Father, pure unspoilt religion is this: coming to the help of orphans and widows when they need it, and keeping oneself uncontaminated by the world.
James 1:27 Afternoon reading (None)
Unlike those who sport yellow, pink, or green varieties,I am not a wearer of plastic bracelets. I have been tempted, though, by Sojourner’s WWJC? campaign and confess to donating $3 to send one to my Senate and House representatives.
While not pretending to understand national budget complexities, I do believe that many cuts proposed in the current budget before the Congress are unconscionable to those striving, however imperfectly, to follow Jesus’ teachings on caring for the least among us.
Today’s reading from Isaiah 58 poses and answers this question: Why fast when God seems oblivious to our efforts?
The answer? Our idea of fasting and God’s idea are, no surprise, not the same. Giving up chocolate, not eating between meals, or exercising more (modern equivalents of “hanging one’s head like a reed” or “lying down on sackcloth and ashes”) seem low on God’s list. Instead, Isaiah offers this list:
…Is not this the sort of fast that pleases me
it is the Lord who speaks
to break unjust fetters and
undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and break every yoke,
to share your bread with the hungry,
and shelter the homeless poor,
to clothe the man you see to be naked
and not turn from your own kin?”
True, we are each called to personally respond to the poor among us,even grouchy neighbors or irritating family members. And “poverty” can refer to mental illness, loneliness, and abuse as well as homelessness and hunger. As members of society, we also have the responsibility to witness to Jesus’ call to care for the poor to those in positions of power, to those who will vote on how tax dollars will be spent, or dare I mention, be raised.
Many politicians on both sides of the aisle are claiming Christian values as their guiding light when they face decisions on how to cut the deficit. Today’s readings, and the gospels together, have a common message: We are judged by how we care for the least among us. What we do for them, we do for Jesus.
While I offer a couple of links at the end of this post to provide food for thought, nothing compares to spending time prayerfully reading Scripture and sitting quietly with God, discerning how we can make a Lenten fast this year that will bring us closer to God and direct our lives to join in Jesus’ work of bringing the Kingdom.
As Isaiah reminds us:
“Then will your light shine like the dawn
and your wound be quickly healed over.
Your integrity will go before you
and the glory of the Lord behind you.
Cry, and the Lord will answer;
call, and he will say, I am here.”
© 2011 Mary van Balen
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