The first reading is a reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.

Thus, says the Lord God, crying out, full-throated and unsparingly, lift up your voice like a trumpet

blast.

Tell my people their wickedness in the house of Jacob their sins.

They seek me day after day they desire to know my ways like a nation that has done what is just,

and not abandon the law of their God. They ask me to declare what is due them, pleased to gain access to God.

Why do we fast and you do not see it. Afflict ourselves. You do not take

note of it. Low on your fast day, you carry out your own pursuits and drive all your laborers.

Yes, your fast ends in quarreling and fighting, striking the wicked claw. Would that today you

might fast as to make your voice heard

on high? Is this the manner of fasting I wish of keeping a day of penance that a man bow his head

like a reed and like a sackcloth and ashes? Do you call that a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?

This rather is the fasting that I wish, releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke,

setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke, sharing your bread with the hungry,

sheltering the oppressed and the homeless, clothing

the naked when you see them, and turning not your back on your own. Then your light shall break forth

like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed. Your vindication shall go before you, and the

glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.

Then you shall call and the Lord will answer.

You shall cry for help and he will say, here I am.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

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