read in zechariah a whole excerpt where God chided a bunch of israelites when they asked if they should fast

seems really strange at first
God scolding people for fasting

but i guess as i thought about it
and reread the verses leading on
i guess the issue is not so much the fasting as is the intention behind it

problem is so often we engage ourselves in so many religous activities for our own sake
so that we may feel better about ourselves, so that we may become more justified
we pray and do our quiet time so to meet that quota
so when others ask after us we can show them how fine and dandy we are

in zechariah, the passage goes on to ask the israelites to administer justice to show mercy and compassion
all the things our pretence so often does not extend to
sure we love our friends but its hard to love the unlovable
we administer justice and are plentiful merciful to ourselves and our kindred
not bad but consider that even mafiastos know how to take care of their own

we forgo building relationships with the outcasts, the queer, the difficult
the alcohlics, the bengs, the crude
in the name of keeping our minds and lifestyles pure
we choose to isolate ourselves from those more "secular"

we forget that Jesus dined often in the presence of tax collectors and prostitutes
that He chose to focus His ministry instead on temple sacrifices and service
would throw Himself in "unclean" situations so that He could administer justice, mercy and compassion

may we never make an idol out of church and church activity
and forget that loving comes before service