Today is ASH WEDNESDAY, and this I just read:

"SHOUT IT ALOUD, DO NOT HOLD BACK. Raise your voice like a TRUMPet. Declare to my people their rebellion and to the descendants of Jacob their sins.

For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, AS IF THEY WERE A NATION THAT DOES WHAT IS RIGHT AND HAS NOT FORSAKEN THE COMMANDS OF ITS GOD.

Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers…

…Is this the kind of fasting I have chosen, ONLY A DAY for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ASHES? Is this what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?

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?

Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter- when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Then your LIGHT WILL BREAK FORTH LIKE THE DAWN, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and He will say: Here am I.

If you will do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your LIGHT WILL RISE IN THE DARKNESS, and your NIGHT WILL BECOME LIKE THE NOONDAY…

Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called REPAIRER of BROKEN WALLS, RESTORER of STREETS with DWELLINGS".

(Isaiah 58: 1-2; 3b; 5-10; 11b)

The entire chapter is pertinent par excellence; I have capitalized the most obvious points.

N.B. the admonition to “provide the poor wanderer with shelter”. I personally “feel” strongly that all illegal aliens should be required to leave OUR country but we, of all people, should know that many of the illegal millions (especially recent comers?) have been forced and or deceived into being pawns in this evil “game” that is being played on all – don’t forget we are also their pawns and have our own utility in their strategy.