Nougat 19

We continue our reflection on Isaiah 58 in today’s Holy Nougat

“Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭58:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We may recall that God frames this as part of the fast God desires from us. A fast, we may recall, involves the separation from something such as food and in turn focusing our attention on God. Yet God, at least in that instant, basically rejected the typical fasts in favor of Justice.

Does that then mean God doesn’t deserve or desire our praise? Definitely not! What it does mean is God seeks ‘disciples’ whose lives are balanced. That Justice and Righteousness walk hand in hand; neither to the exclusion of the other. We pray and praise through ALL aspects of our lives, sometimes with words.

Thus, in a world where rape and violence are headlines, we see those as concerns that ought to be addressed. Not only with our prayer, but also with action. And though the poor are with us always; we don’t render them invisible; but seek to alleviate their plight.

In offering the poor wanderer with shelter I wonder whether in these days that internally and internationally displaced persons qualify. For, if so, it challenges our response to Foreigners, especially those who are not visiting as tourists. As the world continues to think about the ramifications of the Russia-Ukraine war, we also think about our response to all victims of wars; and whether it aligns with God’s plans.

We also hear echoes of God’s radical fast, which invites us to sacrifice comfort rather than food, in Jesus’ description of ‘the Judgement’. Do you hear it too? In Matthew 25:31-46; Jesus shares a teaching using the metaphor of ‘sheep’ and goats. In that pericope, the criteria used for separation is the attitude to the poor, naked and hurting. And the poignant word to the separated ones was,”whatever you do for Those people, you’ve done unto Me”. For this is the fast that God chooses; so we ought to be living the Fasted life – in the Word as we transform our World.

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May all we seek be found in Christ