Then when you call, the Lord will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply. “Remove the heavy yoke of oppression. Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors! Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. Then the Lord will be your delight. I will give you great honour and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob. I, the Lord, have spoken!” (Isaiah 58:9-11, 14 NLT)
The debate leading into this reading from Isaiah is about what we do to please The Lord. Fasting, looking humble, whatever.
But that’s not what God has asked us to do. He wants us to be obedient to His true call, that isn’t serve others. To help the needy: feed them, clothe them…
It’s not about what we do for ourselves, that’s not what Jesus examples in the Gospel message. Jesus showed us its how we reach out to those in need in our communities. This is reward-worthy. This is God’s call for us.
We are the hands and feet of Christ. He leads us, we respond. And He will meet our needs as well.