Fasting with mercy

Isaiah, Chapter 58
006:	Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
007:	Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
008:	Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.
009:	Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;       So here we have mercy.  The true fast......the anti-type of a fast is mercy.  How does this mess with our ritualistic religious view of doing something to be recognized by GOD?  How many times have we said in our hearts that we are not like other men, because we pray daily, fast often and tithe 10%?  We are clean cut, reformed Americans....We are not gutter wine babblers.  We are not cheating on our wives or frequenting strip clubs.  We do not swear, or smoke......oh wait.....       We point the bony finger down our long noses and refuse to clothe the naked or feed the hungry.  You see, that is dirty work.  One might ask; "where are the hungry and naked?"  And the answer is simple, EVERYWHERE.  Any place where there are men and woman who do not know Christ.  Mercy......that word again.....Mercy.  Jesus is merciful, and His people should be like Him.  He is the King of mercy, of all that is selfless in the world.  He is in the act of kindness, breaking the heavy burden and giving freedom.  He is about the business of setting people free.  And He calls us to this work, for He is pleased to do it in and through us.  Praise GOD.         So I say fast with mercy.  Break the burdens and feed the hungry.  Bring the poor into your house and set a table before them, for your Heavenly Father is pleased when you act like Him.  And He is the ultimate host, filling His hall with filthy wretches like us.  And not only does He do this, He lives this.  His character is giving; and giving to those of us who do not deserve it.  Go and be like GOD, show mercy and then you will cry and He will answer.