How
often, when you have been in unfamiliar situations, has someone asked you to
consider alternatives? To see
something just a bit differently than you normally would. To maybe drink from a different water
source or to walk a path that is counter to the path you have always
walked?
It’s
not easy to do so; in fact maybe it is impossible to see an alternative when we
are swamped in the minutia of daily living or so bogged down with trying to
keep things running the way they always have.
Our
scripture, that the lectionary holds up for consideration does precisely that,
from the book of the prophet Isaiah. It asks us to see anew. And it is fitting to have a look at it
during this Lenten season because the passage makes us think, it lifts our
spirits in this long season of repentance, it can expand our imagination as to
what could be, and has the potential to solidify our hope for a grand future[i]. It prepares us to see Christ’s death
and his resurrection as a gateway into a hope filled future.
God
enlists the prophet Isaiah to speak to the people of Israel in words of comfort
about going home to yet another new reality, from the 43rd chapter.
“Thus says the Lord,
who makes a
way in the sea,
a path in the mighty waters,
who brings out chariot and
horse,
army and warrior;
they lie down, they cannot rise, they are
extinguished, quenched like a wick: Do not remember the former things, or
consider the things of the old. I
am about to do a new thing, now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and
rivers in the desert. The wild animals will honor me, the jackals and the
ostriches; for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give
drink to my chosen people whom I formed for myself so that they might declare
my praise.”
You
see a prophet’s words, especially Isaiah’s, weren’t always gloom and doom that
you might expect. Isaiah was quite the imaginative poet and his poetry are
words of soothing comfort while he readies the people for something new. They may not like it, they may not want
it, but God does, so God is doing something new and Isaiah is the chosen one to
relay that message.
For
so long the Israelites were in captivity in Babylon. And then, after a good
long time, God says to them, “OK folks, it’s time. Pack up your camels, get some jugs of water, you’re on your
way home. Back to Judah you
go! Get a move on! Don’t you get it? Do you not perceive it?” You’re getting a fresh start. As you know, some did return, and some
didn’t, but it was decidedly the start of something new thanks to the ever
creating God that we believe in.
Water in the wilderness can only means really good things; renewal,
rehydration, rejuvenation, rebirth. God spoke then to accomplish God’s purposes
and God speaks today.
Camels in the Sinai by Suzanne Wagner
There
is a lot of newness in the air as one friend of mine pointed out to me. The Israel of today, back in the
promised land has just formed a new coalition government within its
parliamentary democratic system, just in time for President Obama to visit
Israel for the very first time.
They hope to increase security and to improve the quality of life for
its citizens through this new government.
Let us hope and pray for peace in the Holy Land and in Jerusalem.
Yet
more newness, habemus papam! We have a pope. The white smoke came billowing out of the
Sistine Chapel chimney against a midnight blue sky ushering in a new pontiff, a
younger (somewhat) pontiff, a humbler pontiff who appears to be in touch with
the people. While it’s clear that
he is a conservative like his predecessor he is also a champion for equality
and is for the rights of marginalized people. Perhaps he will bring around a renewal for the Roman
Catholic Church which has been weighed down with it share of scandals,
corruption, and abuse. Pope
Francis is a servant and a pilgrim like all of us, so he is someone we can all
identity with even if we are not Catholic.
“I
am about to do a new thing, now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” Rivers in the desert, ways in the
wilderness, jackals and ostriches will honor God who will tame them. A new life for the people of Israel is
springing forth; a new life for you is springing forth if you open yourselves
up to perceive it.
Christianity,
that is the truth of the Gospel, not necessarily doctrine, since its inception,
ask us to see differently. Jesus
want us to notice the woman caught in prostitution and embrace her. He asks us to envision the blind
beggars, who are on the same path as we, as fully sighted individuals, he
encourages us to include and to embrace every body. The entire premise of
Christian doctrine begs us to find life amidst the ashes of destruction and
exclusion. A new thing, can you see it?
God
asks us to be a safe haven for all and to accomplish much in order to perceive
the new things that God might be trying to do with us. New ways of being a gathered community
of believers. God asks us to speak
honestly and openly about how we can be God’s vision of hope in Orange and
beyond with each other not around each other. God asks each one of us to be the harbinger of good news in
a world that sometimes doesn’t seem to be so safe. God asks us to relinquish self-interest and control for the
good of the Gospel in the larger setting.
“I am about to do a new thing, now it springs forth, do you not perceive
it?”
Doing
a new thing doesn’t mean that we give up our old ways necessarily or entirely
but it does mean to amend them. It
means to examine that which does harm and let it go and that which builds up
the body of Christ and develop it into something more. When the people of Israel were finally
released to go home they could take their belongings with them but I’m sure
that they examined what they would take and what they would leave behind; what
wasn’t worth packing up and taking along with them or what might even break the
camel’s back!
This
is a time of transition for OCC and we will have directed conversations that I
will be hosting in the early fall.
You will receive a letter just after Easter outlining the process and a
plan to head into the future. We
will examine all aspects of your congregational life and begin to formulate a
vision for where you want to go as it relates to who God is calling you to
be. We will look at what type of
pastor could help you realize your goals.
This is all part of the search process which actually has begun by
tackling the deficit, getting your financial house in order.
Orange Congregational Church
Fall
might seem like a ways out but nothing really solid and good is realized
quickly. In the meantime, talk to
me about your hopes and dreams.
God
continues to call us forward to accomplish new things, to perceive loving
kindness and justice and to enjoy this life. Indeed God called you as a faith community into being and
works with you to prepare the way for those who will follow. Immerse yourself and watch, perceive
all that God tosses your way.
May
the One who causes peace to reign in the high heavens, have peace descend upon
us this morning. May the One who
has sustained Orange Congregational Church for all of these Gospel filled years
continue to strengthen, preserve, and bless you.
Amen.
Reverend
Suzanne E. Wagner
Orange
Congregational Church
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