Ministry Musing

By Donna Kelly

As we begin our Lenten Journey this month, one of the Ash Wednesday readings that isn’t often used is Isaiah 58:1-12. Prior to this reading, the book of Isaiah tells the story of the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Babylonian Empire. Many of the people of Israel were deported to Babylonia. After 70 years, Assyria came into power and King Cyrus allowed the Israelites to return back to their homeland.

But it was a new generation that returned home, and they were no longer well acquainted with YHWH, the God of Israel. They tried to return to the religious practices of the past; prayer, fasting and offerings. But their heart wasn’t in it. They went through the motions, but their actions outside of the practices didn’t match what God was calling them to do and be.

They fasted and said their prayers, but continued to mistreat employees, ignore the poor, the sick, the hungry, the immigrant, and even their own families. Then they wondered, why isn’t God listening to us? Why isn’t God helping us rebuild our lives?

The prophet speaks for God, telling the people that just lip service to God isn’t what God is looking for. God is looking for them to put what he asks into practice: “break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation, free the oppressed, share your food with the hungry, invite the homeless in, clothe the naked, care for you families”. God then promises that “then their lives will glow in the darkness, and you will be like a gurgling spring that never runs dry.

And we too find ourselves, at times, on the same pathway. We do all the “right, churchy” things but don’t care for those around us in need. We ignore the poor, forget about the orphan, ignore the immigrant and the homeless… and we wonder if we are too far off the mark and God will give up on us.

But God don’t give up on the Israelites, and he doesn’t give up on us! God calls them and us back time and time again. God doesn’t measure out grace by the teaspoonful. God never gives up on us! God’s love and grace is like a thundering waterfall that is ever rolling, crashing and splashing everywhere that then becomes a streaming river that flows through us and out to nourish all of creation.

Our God is a God of endless second chances. May you know that grace and love and then pass it on.

Donna Kelly 

email Donna at: donna@sotpmail.com