Isaiah 58:4-9a
“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?” vs. 6
The words of the prophet in this chapter have been an inspiration to millions of people through the centuries. They’re certainly a huge blessing to any who want to walk in the Way of Jesus. Those who take them to heart know that the externals of piety, whether they be fasting, praying or studying, always take second place to the deeds of love and mercy that we extend to the oppressed and the poor. This is not to say that those spiritual practices have no value. Of course they do. They provide nourishment for the soul…and that’s important. But taken to the extreme, those same pious practices can be self-serving and isolating. What a blessing it is when we can escape our sanctuaries and pound nails at a Habitat® house, prepare meals at Feed My Starving Children®, protest injustices, write letters to congress, send money for disaster relief…the list goes on and on. These are the faith practices that please the heart of God and provide a witness to the world. And what’s even better, these are the areas where we can work with the people of other faith traditions and even those with no faith at all. Religious differences fade away when we come together to be the hands and feet of Christ in tending to the least and the lost.
Thought for the Day: How am I loosing the bonds of injustice?
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