Is not this the sort of fast that pleases me – it is the Lord who speaks – to break unjust fetters and undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke, to share your bread with the hungry, and shelter the homeless poor
The Gospel is spread by Food!
…or the lack of it!
I have cooked and eaten at so many Church supers. It is what we do as Christians we work, pray and eat together. We are a family, a congregation and human all at the same time. The pattern is Biblical. The Gospel is spread by food. Jesus feeding the 5000.
My Florida relatives would always say their favorite quote was Isaiah 58. That meant I paid for the restaurant bill. Still it is a great model of how we continue to journey as a family through Lent,
My wife, Anna, and I love seafood and vegetables. The absence of meat was never a sacrifice. Seafood is expensive to get in Oklahoma, so the price is the sacrifice. We have many good vegetarian meals to make. The planning of meals and attention to the reason for our fast is what it important.
Even though we are in sperate homes and places in the country and world we do it for the same reason. It accentuates our dependence on God. It acknowledges that we are sinners and need to repent. It proves that we need God in our lives and the only way is to be in the State of Grace.
Jesus tells us in the Gospel for today, Surely the bridegroom’s attendants would never think of mourning as long as the bridegroom is still with them? But the time will come for the bridegroom to be taken away from them, and then they will fast.’ So it is time for house cleaning. I opened the refrigerator yesterday and the smell said that I should have cleaned it out many days earlier.
Now is the time for the cleanout of our souls and attitudes toward the Triune God. We need to ask ourselves how we improve that relationship. In Romans 8, Saint Paul explains that when we don’t know how to pray that we let the Holy Spirit take over and let Him says the prayer that we can’t say.
Take time during this Holy Season and let the Holy Spirit lead us.
God Love You Always
Bob Burford
PS: Please Pray for Pope Leo XIV. Please Pray for Cancer victims and their caregivers. Pray for the conversion of Russia and the salvation of the Ukrainian and Russian people and their soldiers. Pray for the Holy Land. Pray for peace! The impossible could and can happen. (Saint Rita) Never deny God! Pray for justice for immigrants! Pray for justice for our President and all government officials! Pray for Immigrants!
