b'973Isaiah 58:5MAKE LENTDuring Lent, we are called to pray, fast, and give MATTER alms. We are also called to stretch our understand-ing of a fast beyond giving up candy or movies. TAKE ACTION!Support an Organization: Choose an organization that addresses one of the needs mentioned in Isaiah. Identify one specific way you can help that organization.Learn about Fasting: Read all of Isaiah, chapter 58, and highlight some of the actions that are considered to be authentic fasting. Create a Fasting Event: Organize a Lenten soup dinner or a fasting event where invited friends come and give up a normal meal to stand in solidarity with those who hunger and thirstphysically, emotionally, and spiritually. At the event, discuss ways your group can support others during Lent.For more on fasting with a purpose, see the Challenge feature on page 511.Isaiah16 For I will not accuse forever, Reasons for Judgmentnor always be angry; 58 1 For without me their spirit fails, Cry out full-t hroated and unsparingly,the life breath that I have given.* lift up your voice like a trumpet blast;17 Because of their wicked avarice I grew angry; Proclaim to my people their transgression,I struck them, hiding myself from them in2 to the house of Jacob their sins.* wrath. They seek me day after day,But they turned back, following the way and desire to know my ways,of their own heart.*Like a nation that has done what is just18 I saw their ways, and not abandoned the judgment of their God;but I will heal them. They ask of me just judgments,I will lead them and restore full comfort to them 3 they desire to draw near to God.and to those who mourn for them,*Why do we fast, but you do not see it?19creating words of comfort.afflict ourselves, but you take no note?Peace! Peace to those who are far and near, See, on your fast day you carry out your own says the Lord; and I will heal them. pursuits,20 But the wicked are like the tossing sea 4 and drive all your laborers.* which cannot be still, See, you fast only to quarrel and fightIts waters cast up mire and mud.*and to strike with a wicked fist!21There is no peace for the wicked! Do not fast as you do todaysays my God.*5 to make your voice heard on high! Is this the manner of fasting I would choose,57:19 Creating words of comfort: lit., fruit of the lips, perhaps referringa day to afflict oneself?to praise and thanksgiving for the divine healing; cf. Hos 14:3. *58:1 5 The prophet is commanded to condemn the formalism of the57:16Gn 2:7. 57:17Is 56:11. 57:18Is 61:2. 57:20Jon 2:37. 57:21Is people, specifically their hypocritical fasting. 48:22. 58:1Lv 25:9. 58:31Sm 7:6; 1Kgs 21:12; 1Mc 3:47; Jl 1:12:17. 4153_CYB_NABRE_Pgs.indb 973 smp.org800-533-8095 | 910/23/17 12:38 PM2026 Parish Catalog_FN.indd 9 2/3/26 1:58PM'