The alternative Old Testament passage for Ash Wednesday is from the prophet Isaiah (58:1-12, if you'd like to read the whole thing). The passage that I've been meditating on for the last couple of weeks reads as follows:
6Is 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? 7Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
It's preceded by a collection of verses where God (speaking through Isaiah) chastises the people for fasting to suit their own purposes, all the while oppressing others in their midst. This year, we want our Lenten discipline to make a difference. This year, it's not enough for us to simply give up something we care about.
This year during Lent, David and I have decided to eat more simply. For us, that means eating less food and mostly vegetarian. We're going to try to cook at home more, to eat smaller portions, and to have the meals we prepare for ourselves be vegetarian.
We'll use this blog space to share what we do, to post pictures of the food we prepare, and to list the recipes we make, in case you'd like to join us periodically.
At the end of Lent, we plan to make a donation to Episcopal Relief and Development, using the money we saved from eating in our usual way, to essentially share our bread with those who are hungry. We hope you'll join us.
6Is 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? 7Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
It's preceded by a collection of verses where God (speaking through Isaiah) chastises the people for fasting to suit their own purposes, all the while oppressing others in their midst. This year, we want our Lenten discipline to make a difference. This year, it's not enough for us to simply give up something we care about.
This year during Lent, David and I have decided to eat more simply. For us, that means eating less food and mostly vegetarian. We're going to try to cook at home more, to eat smaller portions, and to have the meals we prepare for ourselves be vegetarian.
We'll use this blog space to share what we do, to post pictures of the food we prepare, and to list the recipes we make, in case you'd like to join us periodically.
At the end of Lent, we plan to make a donation to Episcopal Relief and Development, using the money we saved from eating in our usual way, to essentially share our bread with those who are hungry. We hope you'll join us.
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