在一些基督教社区，禁食并不被看重。而在另一些地方，特别是在大斋期（复活节前的四十天），人们用禁食的方式来纪念主的受难。
在古代以色列，禁食包括穿麻衣，低头哀伤，捶胸，躺在灰尘中。所有这一切都是为了让自己谦卑、悔罪。
但是，神在先知以赛亚的日子说，祂所看见的都是虚假的表演。以色列人没有悔改，反而继续欺压他们的工人，彼此争斗，不顾那些需要事物、住所和衣物的人。
一个基督徒怎样才能做到真正禁食，而不仅仅是走过场呢？
我认识一个家庭，他们在柜台上放了一个咖啡罐，把多余的零钱都放进里面给穷人。一个富裕的家庭可能用他们自己的财产建一个小房子，为无家可归的人提供临时住所。禁食的一个核心思想，就是减少自己的开支，好使我们有足够的食物和物品与需要的人分享。
今天，你能做什么来向他人显明神的爱呢？
主啊，我们是蒙福的。请帮助我们将财富少用在自己身上，多用在有需要的人身上。奉耶稣的名，我们祈求像你一样去爱他人的意愿。阿们。
以赛亚书 58:1-10
1“你要大声喊叫，不可止息，扬起声来，好像吹角，向我百姓说明他们的过犯，向雅各家说明他们的罪恶。
2他们天天寻求我，乐意明白我的道，好像行义的国民，不离弃他们神的典章，向我求问公义的判语，喜悦亲近神。
3“他们说：‘我们禁食，你为何不看见呢？我们刻苦己心，你为何不理会呢？’看哪，你们禁食的日子仍求利益，勒逼人为你们做苦工。
4你们禁食，却互相争竞，以凶恶的拳头打人。你们今日禁食，不得使你们的声音听闻于上。
5这样禁食，岂是我所拣选，使人刻苦己心的日子吗？岂是叫人垂头像苇子，用麻布和炉灰铺在他以下吗？你这可称为禁食，为耶和华所悦纳的日子吗？
6我所拣选的禁食，不是要松开凶恶的绳，解下轭上的索，使被欺压的得自由，折断一切的轭吗？
7不是要把你的饼分给饥饿的人，将漂流的穷人接到你家中，见赤身的给他衣服遮体，顾恤自己的骨肉而不掩藏吗？
8这样，你的光就必发现如早晨的光，你所得的医治要速速发明，你的公义必在你前面行，耶和华的荣光必做你的后盾。
9那时你求告，耶和华必应允；你呼求，他必说：‘我在这里！’“你若从你中间除掉重轭和指摘人的指头，并发恶言的事，
10你心若向饥饿的人发怜悯，使困苦的人得满足，你的光就必在黑暗中发现，你的幽暗必变如正午。
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?” — Isaiah 58:6
In some Christian communities, fasting is not emphasized. In others, especially during Lent (the season leading up to Easter), fasting is a way of remembering the suffering of our Lord.
In ancient Israel, fasting included wearing robes of sackcloth, bowing one’s head in mourning, beating one’s breast, and lying on a bed of ashes. All of this was meant to be a sign of humbling oneself and repenting of sin.
But, said God in the days of Isaiah the prophet, all he saw was a hypocritical show. Instead of really repenting of their sin, the Israelites went right on oppressing their workers, fighting among themselves, ignoring people who needed food and shelter and clothing.
What can a Christian do to engage in true fasting without just going through the motions?
I know one family who keeps a coffee can on the counter and puts all its spare change into it for the poor. A wealthier family might build a small house on their property to offer temporary shelter to a homeless person. One of the central ideas of fasting is to reduce our own consumption so that we may have enough to share with people who are in need.
What can you do to show God’s love to someone in need today?
Lord, we are blessed. Help us to use less of our wealth on ourselves, and more on people who really need it. In Jesus’ name, we ask for the will to love others as you do. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
