So What Are We to Do & Share?

The other day I stopped at the Lake Estes pier to take pictures of Long’s Peak and Twin Sisters. However, when I looked out over the lake, I saw this amazing sight. As I stood there taking pictures, the Bald Eagle was joined first by one Raven, then by two, and finally by a whole flock of them. As I looked up what to call a flock of ravens, I was surprised to find out that the names weren’t all that kind. A group of ravens gathered together can be called a conspiracy of ravens… or they can be called an unkindness of ravens… or a constable of ravens! If it was indeed a conspiracy or unkindness of ravens who joined the Bald Eagle on the frozen lake, maybe that is why the Bald Eagle flew off!

But in all seriousness, what initially struck me about this gathering on Lake Estes was the fact that they were all fairly respectful of each other. With one swipe of its mighty talons or beak, the Bald Eagle could have easily “finished off” the ravens. Yet they were joined together on the ice and actually sharing some food. I am guessing that the Bald Eagle had been fishing and after having its fill was allowing the ravens to join in the feast. Isn’t that a lesson we could learn once more in this day and age?

We spent some time in Denver this afternoon with some refugees from Syria. It was a meeting about a respite weekend being planned for these families here in Colorado. As I looked around the room and listened through an interpreter, I was struck by two things. First of all, as I tried to imagine how these families felt to be here in this country right now, tears came to my eyes. While they hopefully felt the compassion of those in the room who hoped to be counted among the number of their American family, all they have to do is turn on the news to hear the hate and fear being spewed. The second thing that struck me was that despite language and cultural differences, we share so much in common. Their concern for their children… for their family members… for the daily needs of each member of the community… they were simply parents wanting what is best for their children and families. Whether you say “Ah-Salam-u-Alaikum” (peace be upon you) or “Shalom” or “the Peace of the Lord be upon you”, we all hope for the same thing… peace!

Did I experience some sort of peace sharing on Lake Estes between the Bald Eagle and the ravens? I don’t know. I do know that I sensed that deep within my very soul this afternoon in Denver. And once again, the Lectionary Readings have me looking deep within as I ponder the call of God in our lives as people of faith.

The passage from Isaiah 58:1-12 is focusing on the contrast between True and False Worship. Yet the lessons can easily be applied to our daily lives. In the opening verses (1-5) God through the voice of the prophet is challenging the people to examine their worship and their daily living. God doesn’t pull any punches as the prophet calls the people out.

“Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast. Shout aloud! Don’t be timid. Tell my people Israel of their sins!” (verse 1 NLT) Thus begins the call to accountability for the people from God. From what follows, it is no wonder that God had to prod Isaiah to speak loudly. What God had to say was not exactly going to win any popularity contests!

“Yet they act so pious! They come to the Temple every day and seem delighted to learn all about me. They act like a righteous nation that would never abandon the laws of its God. They ask me to take action on their behalf, pretending that they want to be near me. ‘We have fasted before you!’ they say. ‘Why aren’t you impressed? We have been very hard on ourselves, and you don’t even notice it.'” (verses 2-3a) I can imagine the prophet getting just a wee bit nervous as he shares these thoughts from God with the people. Hey Isaiah, do you have a clear shot at the Emergency Exit? You’re gonna need it if you keep this up!

So why aren’t our sacrifices and our fasting activities pleasing to you God? They are exactly what the letter of the law requires… right? Well, not exactly! Why hasn’t God noticed their “good works” and patted them on the head like good little boys and girls? Well… “‘I will tell you why!’ I respond. ‘It’s because you are fasting to please yourselves. Even when you fast, you keep oppressing your workers. What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me. You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like reeds bending in the wind. You dress in burlap and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call fasting? Do you really think this will please the Lord?'” (verses 3b-5)

Well, God sure didn’t pull any punches and from the sound of it, Isaiah didn’t try to water down the challenge God was throwing before the people. I have to admit that as I read these words aloud to myself that I felt a mixture of emotions. Sadly, at first, I felt a self-righteous anger well up within me as I though of today’s Pharisees. Then, as I let the words really sink into my heart, I saw them pointed straight at me! How often do I go through the motions somehow thinking that what I am doing is pleasing to God? Ouch! Well, if that wasn’t enough, then the prophet says exactly what God is looking for from the people who say they are followers.

“‘No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. Then when you call, the Lord will answer. Yes, I am here, he will quickly reply.'” (verses 6-9)

Once more, God is challenging us to do more than lip service to the call to follow. This is what Jesus was describing when he talked about us being salt and light in Matthew 5:13-20. “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor?… You are the light of the world–like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.” (verses 13a, 14)

So how do we do this, dear reader? As I ponder the time spent with my Syrian neighbors in Denver, I think about the common thing that we all want for ourselves and for our children. Whether you call it “Ah-Salam” or “Shalom” or “Peace” we are all looking for the same thing. A place where we can raise our families and worship God in peace. We all are looking to share “maHabba” or “aheb” or “agape” or “love” with God and with our neighbor. How do you show that love?

Matthew 25 comes to mind and the story of the final judgment. How did the people miss the point? The Lord replied: “I was hungry and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.” (Matthew 25:42-43)

When we gathered with our Syrian neighbors in Denver, one of the interpreters offered each of us a bottle of water. Was it hospitality? Or was it something more? I saw in that gesture on the part of the interpreter an act of genuine “maHabba” or love. In that moment, I saw the light of God’s love which Christ reveals to us shown through the action of a daughter of Abraham.

Yes, dear reader, we are called to share that light and that love with all whom we meet. We are called to be the salt of the earth as we share the love of God with others. In so doing, many lives can and will be transformed and the light of God’s love will shine brightly!