As the Christian world moves into 40 days of Lent, let us listen to God’s word from the Hebrew Scriptures: (Isaiah 58: 6-7, 10)
This is the fast that pleases me:
To break unjust fetters, to let the oppressed go free, to share your bread with the hungry and shelter the homeless poor. If you do away with the yoke, the clenched fist, the wicked word, if you give your bread to the hungry and relief to the oppressed, your light will rise in the darkness.
God, our creator, we trust in Your presence with us as we continue each day to bring greater justice and peace to those we serve. May all of our efforts, conversations, debates, and collaborations result in a populace that is welcome to contribute their gifts and talents for the good of the whole, now and into the future. We ask this in Your name.─AMEN.