“Why do we fast, and you do not see it? afflict ourselves, and you take no note of it?”

This complaint to God is appropriate as we begin the Lenten season. The entire first reading is taken up with this question. It faces us with the question of what a true fast is, but also what true prayer is, truly doing the will of God. It is so easy to do religious things, be they practices, prayers, sacrifices of various kinds, and still not find them pleasing to God because our lives do not conform to what God wants of us.

Isaiah tells us today some of the areas we should be concerned about. “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.” These are only examples. God is asking us to turn away from our sinful sides, our greed, our selfishness, our oppression, our lack of concern for others.

Collectively, we must stand and be counted wherever we see injustice and the resulting lack of freedom and hope that follows. On a larger scale, we must keep working to help America remain a beacon of peace and hospitality. Hospitality because Christ tells us that there are no “us and them,” only we. He died for all of us; all of us have a shared humanity in his sight. At Mass, we are all gathered around the altar as brothers and sisters of Jesus. Jesus died for all of us; he wants us to live for all as well.

How do I show my love for others?

Let Us Pray:

O Jesus, help me to understand the ways I can be more faithful in how I treat my brothers and sisters each day.