Written by professors, graduates, and others in
the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary community, these reflections, prayers, and spiritual practices will take you along the journey with Jesus through the cross toward resurrection.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
• Isaiah 58:1–12
"How I wished there existed someone to whom I could say that I was sorry.” Uttered by a character named Fowler in Graham Greene’s novel The Quiet American, these words reflect remorse over the life he has lived; one marked by self-absorbed attitudes and behaviors and by uncaring treatment of others. He recognizes his errors. He admits his remorse and the need to express regrets. In theological terms, Fowler wants to confess his sins and to be absolved of his consuming guilt. These actions and desires demonstrate a basic human need for contrition and pardon.
Isaiah speaks of similar living on the part of Israel, whose people have acted according to self-interest more than God-interest. They have focused on their own desires and overlooked God’s desires for them. Disobedient, sinful, and self-righteous, they stand in need of contrition and pardon. Like Fowler, and perhaps like us, too, though the Israelites recognize their condition and need, they respond in ways that continue to miss the mark and perpetuate selfabsorbed living. This brief passage tells the story (Isaiah 58:1–12). The people ask of God “Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?”—to which the prophet replies, “Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day, and oppress all your workers” (v.3). The prophet continues, calling the Israelites out for their quarreling among themselves and their practice of rituals empty of what God truly desires. Then, what God truly desires is named: “Is this not the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?” What God desires of them, the prophet declares, is to share food with the hungry, bring the homeless poor into their homes, to provide clothing to the naked, and to welcome others as their own kin. “Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly” (vv.6–8). True contrition and repentance lead to serving and providing for those in need.
The season of Lent may sharpen both our awareness and practices of saying we are sorry. Lent prompts reflection on our lives and repentance for our sins. A focus on prayer, preparation, and renewal serves as a precursor to the holiest of times, when we open our hearts anew, refresh our commitments to God, and confront our sinfulness before our Creator. But how we repent matters. Isaiah teaches us this. God asks for repentance to issue not in a singular focus on ourselves but on others, too. God asks for repentance that leads us toward attending to others and their needs, offering them hospitality, sustenance, and care. True repentance requires bearing witness to God’s love as we demonstrate our own love.
The Lenten season also calls us to recognize that a sorrow that leads to true repentance fosters our becoming who we really are. This productive sorrow may in fact buoy us amid our sinfulness as it empowers us to become the human beings God created us to be (free, whole, holy, and forgiven), not merely as individuals or for ourselves, but as the collective people of God who live in service to one another—who “bear one another’s burdens” and fulfill the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2).
Ash Wednesday reminds us that apart from the grace of God, we are, like Fowler, powerless in the face of human sin. Lent invites us to say we are sorry by renewing our baptism, deepening faith convictions, and living more intentionally into our status as Easter people. As we embark on these forty days, may we embrace the call of Jesus himself, who said: “The time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news” (Mark 1:15).
The Lord will guide us continually, and satisfy our needs in parched places. Amen.
– The Reverend Dr. Allan Hugh Cole Jr.
Academic Dean and Professor in The Nancy
Taylor Williamson Chair of Pastoral Care
For the glory of God and to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is a seminary in the Presbyterian-Reformed tradition whose mission is to educate and equip individuals for the ordained Christian ministry and other forms of Christian service and leadership; to employ its resources in the service of the church; to promote and engage in critical theological thought and research; and to be a winsome and exemplary community of God's people.
No comments:
Post a Comment