“Is not this the sort of fast that pleases me… to share your bread with the hungry, and shelter the homeless poor?” Isaiah 58:6-7
Going without is often seen as an unusual choice. For many of us, our consumption is never ending – whether that’s over-indulging in food or drink, or consuming fashion, electronics or household goods.
So, to take a step back from this can leave us feeling disconcerted. How do we fill our time if not with all this addictive consuming?
Today’s reading from Isaiah tells us that the fast which is pleasing to God is much more active than simply denying ourselves something we’d like.
It is also about looking at our world and trying to make it a fairer place. Making sure that everyone has their share of the gifts that God has given for us all. Trying to ensure that our abundance doesn’t come from someone else’s lack.
There is enough food in the world to feed everyone, but, according to the UN, there are still 957 million people across the world who do not have enough to eat.
The global way in which food is grown, produced and consumed simply isn’t working for the poorest people. The climate crisis and the coronavirus pandemic have just made things worse.
So this Lent, as we fast, let us see how we can support those in our local communities and in our worldwide family to get enough food to eat. Let us help fight the causes of hunger. And let us pray that our fast may be pleasing to God and contribute to a fairer world.
Add your voice for a fairer world