God spoke to the people through the prophet Isaiah in chapter 58:

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:

… 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.”

I think we might understand it this way:

I don’t want empty bellies. God says. That’s not what connects me to you.
I want open hands and I want clearable calendars.
Empty of you, open for me.

I want you to take that food you were going to give up
and sit down at a table with people who don’t have food
and eat it together.

Your belly is only half empty.
And you emptied your calendar. And as you sit with them, absorbing their pain, sharing their story, I will be with you.

I want you to invite people without a home into your home.
Not sending money and feeling good.
Not sending a prayer to feel good.
Empty out a bedroom and bring someone home.
And I will be with you.

I want you to invite people with one change of clothes into your closet, to shop with you there, looking at what you have that fits, regardless of how new it is.

Empty your closet and be their mirror. Tell them how good they look…wearing your best clothes.
And I will be with you.