30 November 2014
1st Sunday of Advent
Isaiah was an 8th century BC prophet who seems to have received his call in a dramatic vision of God in the Jerusalem Temple. Perhaps this is why his writings express a sense of being overwhelmed by the majesty and glory of God. Isaiah seems to have felt deeply the enormous abyss between God’s sovereign holiness and human sinfulness. The message is a passionate plea for the reliance on the promises of God.Today’s selection from Third Isaiah (presumably a 6th century disciple of the original prophet) portrays a people who wrestle with the very questions we often raise in our hearts: “Why [God] do you let us wander from our ways? Why do you harden our hearts?” Are they, and we, passing the buck? Who’s really doing the wandering here, God or the people?
Reading further into this passage we find a people who do seem to realize who is in charge. We see a people aware of their sinfulness, shortcomings, and the “pollution” of their deeds. We witness a people who admit their guilt, ready to return to the Lord. Even though they grapple with their uncertainties, they know where the fault really lies. We also see a people who acknowledge the awesomeness and power of their creator and redeemer. We see in this passage the first steps we must take in our Advent journey.
Like Isaiah, we can be overwhelmed by the majesty and glory of God at Christmas. But we can ready our hearts for that awe-inspiring gift of God’s very self to us, in Jesus. While we, and Isaiah’s people, wrestle with our unclean hearts and divided spirits, we take comfort in the promise this prophet makes in today’s opening and closing verses:
You, Lord, are our Father. Our Redeemer, you are named forever. We are the work of your hands.It is God who shapes our hearts and wills, gently smoothing out our rough edges. In the depths of our restless hearts, we still know Who is in charge and to Whom we belong.
Advent Blessings to Everyone!
The author, Ms. Barbara Gawle, leads Bible studies at her parish, Incarnation Church of Wethersfield, CT. She is a CBS graduate and the 2012 recipient of the Biblical School's highest award, the Lawrence Boadt Memorial Medal.
