Fasting Friday

Isaiah 58:5-9

Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush, and to lie in sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly your vindicator shall go before you, 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.

Prayer

Lord, are you suggesting we take in the homeless? Could our church or small group do something together? I'm afraid to do this myself. I don't know what to do about homelessness, about the injustices in my town. Will you simply open my eyes today to the homeless, to the poor. Let me see them. Let me hear you say, "Here I Am."

Activity

Fast from meat today. This is a tradition most Catholics hold to during Lent. Some might also eat only one meal today. If you had not planned this for today, begin preparing today for fasting next Friday. There are many kinds of fasting, and certainly not all forms include fasting from food. Perhaps you might fast from a regular Friday night movie and give the money to a charity instead.