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An Acceptable Fast

"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?"
Isaiah 58:6

In my time of spiritual immaturity, I often chose to fast from chocolate. For some that's easy to do because they are not chocoholics as I am. So fasting from chocolate for Lent is no big deal for them. 

In one church I announced I was fasting from chocolate for Lent. The folks in the church thought it would be fun to see if they could "lead me into temptation" by offering chocolate goodies at coffee hour. I did not "yield unto temptation."

On Easter Sunday one family invited Elaine and me to dinner. It was a well prepared meal with typical Easter offerings. And for dessert? A THICK, CREAMY, HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE PIE!

This, of course, is not what fasting is about. Isaiah makes that clear in vs.6 where the Lord has defined an acceptable fast.  Isaiah 58's criticism is for people who they are  concerned about appearing outwardly righteous. After the destruction of Jerusalem, fast days were kept on a regular basis asking the Lord for forgiveness and blessing. However, the fasts are full of violence and oppression of workers, so Isaiah condemns the fast days.

This passage could strike a chord with our own times. Consider those who claim to keep a fast but don't practice peace and justice. Consider self-professed Christians happily enjoying relaxation at the expense of exhausting others at home and abroad. Consider how the international economy exploits and disempowers labor in favor of capital. 

It seems to me that an acceptable fast is caring for the hungry, thirsty, sick and in prison.

I regard acceptable fasting as refraining from words and actions that hurt as well as negative emotions and attitudes. It is consoling, offering hope, bringing light into the darkness of a soul.

What other thoughts do you have about an acceptable fast?

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