In Isaiah 5, it says that God planted a vineyard and expected justice but instead saw bloodshed, and sought righteousness but instead heard a cry. When we were doing a Bible study on Isaiah last year, we studied this passage. Several of us commented how we preferred passages that had a more “positive” cast to them, maybe being more hopeful. This passage is indeed part of a hard message that Isaiah brings about injustice which benefits a few at the expense of the many.
Yet I have learned through Abraham Heschel, the great Jewish scholar, how the prophets lived with such pathos because they both felt God and they felt the people to whom they were speaking. They were torn, feeling the rift intimately. Prophets like Isaiah were aware of the hope, love, and pain that God sought in their time. These prophets’ love compelled them to speak about the bloodshed and injustice they saw.
It seems to fit with what James Baldwin regularly said, that he loved the United States so much that he felt compelled to criticize when the country fell short of its ideals. I am grateful that St. Tim’s does not look away from the needs of our society, but continues to share loving involvement in addressing the needs of our days. Thank you for your witness to God’s call for food, homes, and support!
Peace,
Hans
Three Holy Days
In our tradition, we make space on Maundy Thursday to remember central parts of our faith story. We hear about the...
