Friday 4 March 2022
Today is Friday the 4th of March, in the Season of Lent.
Bifrost Arts sing, 'O God will you restore us?' As we continue entering into this Lenten season, take a moment to consider where you need God's restoration today…
Today's reading is from the Prophet Isaiah
Isaiah 58:1-9
Shout out, do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins. Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practised righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgements, they delight to draw near to God. 'Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?' Look, you serve your own interest on your fast-day, and oppress all your workers. Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to strike with a wicked fist. Such fasting as you do today will not make your voice heard on high. 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 rearguard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am.
What is stirring in me as I listen to the double standards and lack of integrity being unmasked by the prophet Isaiah?
What double standards do I see around me?
What double standards are there within me?
I speak with God about these.
In what ways might my fasting this Lent 'loose the bonds of injustice?'
I ask the Spirit to show me where and how my actions can help the poor, hungry or needy.
As I listen to the second part of this reading again I imagine the glory of the Lord as my rearguard giving me courage to exercise justice with integrity.
In these last moments, I imagine myself calling out to God, and God answering 'Here I am.'
You have given all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.
Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace,
that is enough for me.