The 23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Today is Sunday the 5 September, beginning the 23rd week of Ordinary Time.
Chelsey Scott, with Bifrost Arts, sings a setting of Psalm 46. What stays with you from the words of this song as you listen today?
Today’s reading is from the Prophet Isaiah.
Isaiah 35:4-7
Say to those who are of a fearful heart,
‘Be strong, do not fear!
Here is your God.
He will come with vengeance,
with terrible recompense.
He will come and save you.’
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
then the lame shall leap like a deer,
and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness,
and streams in the desert;
the burning sand shall become a pool,
and the thirsty ground springs of water;
the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp,
the grass shall become reeds and rushes.
Isaiah speaks of God coming with vengeance and terrible recompense, but his actual coming is heralded by gifts of healing: blind eyes opened, deaf ears hearing, lameness and silence turned to dancing and joyful singing. Our expectations of punishment are reversed in blessing. How do these promises speak to you? Can you name your own thirst for God’s living water?
Jesus quoted Isaiah’s prophecy in his hometown and spent his life fulfilling its promises. He healed and reconciled, brought the dead to life and offered living water to all who thirst. What do you want him to do in your life? Can you ask him for what you feel you need, or does something prevent you from doing so?
As we listen to Isaiah’s beautiful prophecy, notice where your mind and heart rest, where you feel a desire for what it promises.
The reading speaks of God’s desire to put right all that is amiss in the world. How do you want to respond to God’s desire for you and for the world?
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.