Friday after Ash Wednesday

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!

Our lives as Christians should be filled with acts of charity and mercy. Our fasting shouldn’t only be giving up something, but also giving something in alms to those in need. We might have limited time, money, and resources, but there is always something, even something small, that we can do for the good of others and the glory of God. We just have to keep our eyes and ears open for those opportunities where we can bring relief to those who are in need. Whether it is releasing people from unjust bonds, setting free the oppressed, sharing our bounty with those in need, or simply helping someone with a simple chore, we become a light to those whom we help and perhaps the fire within us will spark hope in the hearts of others and lead them to light the world on fire with us.

What can we do to help those in need? How can we bring hope into the lives of others? In what ways can we become a light for all the world?

O Lord, here I am!

Amen.