Lights out

Ontario law doesn’t allow utility companies to cut off customers who are behind on their payments from October until spring. Utility companies, who usually try to work with those who are behind, face a choice. Either cut off a customer now while they can, or else they’re stuck with them all winter. That means a customer who’s behind $100 can be shut off today. I used to be pretty hard nosed about this, but life is never that simple. The reality is that many don’t have heat or light tonight, and now that they have to pay a security deposit and reconnection fee they’re even further behind. In many cases, it’s the result of poor choices. In other cases, it’s not.

This is the kind of fast day Iím after: to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed, cancel debts. What Iím interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own families. Do this and the lights will turn on, and your lives will turn around at once. Your righteousness will pave your way. The GOD of glory will secure your passage. Then when you pray, GOD will answer. Youíll call out for help and Iíll say, ëHere I am.í (Isaiah 58:6-9 The Message)