Reflection and Sermon prep for 5th Sunday after Epiphany – What God wants
“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? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your hose; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?” (Isaiah 58:6-7)
“It goes well with those who act generously and lend: who guide their affairs with justice.” (Psalm 112:5)
Paraphrasing the words of one biblical scholar during my formal theological training:
There are about half a dozen or so pieces of biblical text that might be a critique of sexual behaviour (and that might be stretching the context of the texts), but well over six hundred pieces of biblical text about how to share our wealth and possessions.
So for every text on sexuality (1), there are a hundred (100) on sharing resources with those who have little. So I guess it is pretty clear from our biblical record what God is truly interested in and how God would choose for us as far as behaviour!
This Sunday in our lectionary we have two pretty direct statements on what the people of God should do (see above from Isaiah and the psalmist). And in our preparations for the coming season of Lent, it seems that we might have a new lens to look through in terms of what ‘fast’ we might be contemplating as our Lenten practice.
Rather than planning to abstain from food/drink/watching TV/social media etc etc we might start by God to show us where there is need that we have not noticed before. And not just human need – but for all who live with us.
I think the possibilities are many, both locally and globally: caring for our green spaces where we live; being conscious of our purchases and the possible impact on the environment (manufacture, use and disposal); supporting a group working for peace overseas; donating at local foodbanks or volunteering. Listening/reading to someone who comes from a completely different background. I’m sure that many of you know of other avenues of acting generously and lending…..and I’d love to hear about them!
Because, at the heart of it, is that God urges us to do this not just during Lent – but for all our lives.
Blessings
Ceri
