Please read this passage before reading this homily.
This reading is from the third section of the prophet’s work. The work of the prophet Isaiah was carried on after his death by his disciples. The rebuilding of the temple after the return from exile was not going well. The people had been fasting to implore God’s mercy. Apparently, the people were looking for the success of their fasting and not finding it.
The prophet intervened. Then people’s fasting was ineffective. The prophet knew why. It was because the outward fasting was supposed to reflectans inner fasting from evil thought and works. People were not supposed to look like sackcloth and ashes, nor were they to afflict themselves. They were supposed to feed the hungry and clothe the naked. They were supposed to set the captive free and shelter the homeless. The prophet said that if they would take care of these needs of others, that they would experience the presence of God in their lives.
In a bygone age, the preacher would at this time point out the defects in other people’s lives, especially the failings of famous politicians and other celebrities. The preacher might have looked at the political maneuvering in Congress that neglects to take care of needy people on our southern border and the besieged persons in Ukraine and in the Arab-Israel strife. Such a thing, however, would distract us who are present to this word. The word is proclaimed for us today, not for those who are not here. The prophet speaks to us. The prophet is calling us to action.
We personally do not have the resources to go welcome the poor at our border or support the Ukrainians in their struggles. We can, however, study these issues. Whereas we do not have in ourselves our nation’s resources, we do have in ourselves the ability of helping our neighbors close to home. Who among are oppressed, homeless, hungry or in need of some of our time, some of our resources, some of our energy, some of our compassion? When we hear their cries for mercy, God hears our cries for mercy.
The prophet’s solution is for us to be attentive to the needs around us. As we take care of them, we come closer to taking care of larger pictures.