“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?”

This Sunday, Isaiah will speak; will be summoned from the dusty pages of The Book, to prophesy to us – through the veil of our imagination, Isaiah will show us how he might see his social critique as applied to our present life.

And the question at stake: when is it that we make our religion a “show”? Something we do as an external practice, without bringing our heart to it? When is faith just a thing to do, because everyone else is doing it? When is church a nice comfy chaplain to the status quo? What if your prayers and your spirituality really don’t engage with real life? And for Isaiah, there is a very real test for this: does our spirituality, does our prayer bespeak justice. Tzedakah. Fairness and righteousness for the weak and the vulnerable? Isaiah would say that these are the “prayers” God cares about most.

You want to read some words that burn, check these out.

His dialogue partner: None other than Mary of Bethany. She who poured about $20,000 worth of perfume on Jesus’ feet. (John 12:1-8). What a waste, eh?

There will indeed be some sizzle – Isaiah will question Mary: how is it possible that you could waste $20,000 on such lavishness? What about all the folk you could have fed, clothed, housed with that kind of cash? Does Judas really have a point? (Hey, Read the text). And Mary will give Isaiah some wise words to put in his pious pipe. Sure ‘nuf. Venus and Mars? We’ll see if they can come, by the end, to some accommodation….

One final thing here. (A brief entry this week – I have to admit, so much of my blogging energy has been going into our Dante blog, which has been a total gas). I want to show some love to my colleague Louise – what a gas to work with her. She will be preaching with me this Sunday – since, as you’ve gathered from the above, the sermon will be a dialogue between Isaiah and Mary (played by Louise, and by me. No shortage of ham in the pulpit this Sunday, I’m sure.)

Blessings, friends. I hope you might pray with these scriptures before you come to worship, and see for yourself how they might talk to each other.

And, lastly (didn’t I say that already?) How great was youth worship last Sunday? I find myself resisting the sin of pride each year, as I hear and experience the gifts that our young people bring. The ARE the church, not just its future.

Take care,

Jeff